Monday evening, August 26th, from 5 to 7 pm, a cocktail meeting will be held at the Mantoloking Yacht Club to inform all residents about the new Emergency Center of Brick Hospital to be located on Route 88 between the OB Diner and Blockbuster. Everyone is invited.

Gloria Gledhill from NJ-American Water Company spoke to Council about our water and drought restrictions which remain in effect. Use water wisely. Up-to-date information is available at www.njdrought.org. The water is tested regularly and the quality in Mantoloking is excellent; the company has an active speaker bureau and will speak to groups upon request; and NJ-American workers carry photo ids so if you are unsure, always ask.

Attorney Charles Starkey representing Daniel H. Fitzgerald, 1225 Ocean Avenue spoke to Council and Mantoloking residents about the Borough of Mantoloking‚s lawsuit against Mr. Fitzgerald.

More public comments: Walter Bray: Handicap parking at the beach end of Downer Avenue is usually filled with bicycles, so no room for the handicapped to park; dogs seem to have the run of the beach, unleashed and in the middle of the day. Carol Leone: Do-not-enter signs have been placed at Lyman and East and the Stop signs have been removed. Why? There is no handicap curb at Lyman and Ocean. Why? The shrubs at Lyman and Barnegat are very overgrown.

William Richardson asked why his tax bill showed a 54% increase. Finance Chairman George Nebel sited the County‚s budget increase is $1,013 million, 34.8%. The Borough‚s increase is $53,470 or 3.1%. The average total tax increase is 22.4%. Waterfront property is assessed much higher, thus higher taxes. By state law, the County measures the actual sales price of houses in each year above assessed value and taxes accordingly. Mantoloking‚s taxes increase and the services stay the same--that is, none.

Larry Nelson: Is crabbing allowed on the west end of Downer? And, why not roll the sewer bills into the tax bills. Can it be done? Peter Flihan: There are many places where bushes need to be shorn. Can owners be sited? Are beach badges being checked. No one seems to be doing it.

August 29th at 4 to 7 pm in Borough Hall a meeting will be held with the Ocean County Engineering Department to inform the public about building the new Mantoloking Bridge. Please attend.

This Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Dunbar at 9:13 pm. All Council members were present.

The Police Department reported 259 incidents during July, seven of these were animal complaints and 13 were B & E. Lock your doors. The Fire Company responded to 23 fire/emergency calls during July, had two drills and one scheduled meeting. Seven of the calls were fires, ten were alarm activations, four natural gas leaks, a car accident on the bridge, a smell of smoke and an electrical short. The Construction Official issued one new permit and four updates during July.

Roger Pribush, CFO, presented the bill list for this meeting, a total of $1,428,249.34, which includes 3rd quarter taxes of $1,235,248.77.

In old business, Ordinance #448, providing for the reconstruction of Downer Avenue for a sum not to exceed $160,000 and appropriating $30,000 from the capital improvement fund was passed with Councilmen Nebel and Laymon opposed. Councilman Nebel said the town engineer, Tom Guldin, says the project is underpriced. Council voted to proceed knowing additional funds will be needed.

Ordinance #449 amending salary ordinance #439 adopted February 19, 2002 and providing for revision of the salary for CFO of Mantoloking was passed.

In new business, Ordinance #450 granting renewal of Municipal consent to Comcast Cable to construct, connect, operate and maintain a cable system

in the Borough of Mantoloking was passed by title only. This allows Comcast to place poles, wires, cables, equipment, etc. any place as may be necessary to operate a cable and television system in the Borough.

The following resolutions were passed:

1. To provide for the appointment of the purchasing agent and insurance commissioner, Irene H. Ryan.

2. To provide for the appointment of the construction official, building subcode official and building inspector, V. John Wardell.

3. To consider the approval of an agreement for supply and installation of garage doors for the new public works facility to Metropolitan Door Company of Scotch Plains who will install Raynor Model Styleform (Optima Steel Overhead Doors).

4. To provide for the execution of an employment agreement between the Borough and Roger E. Pribush, Chief Financial Officer/Tax Collector.

5. To continue to oppose the dumping of dredged material at the historical area remediation site (HARS), formerly known as the „Mud Dump Site‰.

6. To approve the application of John W. Schmierer to become a member of the Mantoloking Fire Company.

7. To authorize the sale of a used police vehicle.

The Public Safety Committee has recommended to Council to mark crossings at Bergen, Lyman and Herbert Streets with lines and markings, and posting signs saying “Pedestrian Crossing Ahead Slow Down.” Also, mark pavement and post signs at both ends of Barnegat Lane and at intersections with Lyman and Bergen with the warning “Drive Slowly 25 MPH Limit Strictly Enforced.” The full report is on the web page, mantoloking.org.

Councilman Jones said the beach is wide from the dune, that with constant south winds sand is moving into Bay Head, but Mantoloking is getting sand from Brick. Be aware there is a tremendous drop from the lapping waters upon entering the ocean, over one’s head in some places.

Councilman Husted said the beach agenda is on hold because our Washington representatives are on vacations. Senator Corzine has voiced his approval, and the engineering design has been approved.

Councilman Laymon is pleased with the general quality of the garbage collection in the Borough. Some residents have grumbled their trash is not collected, but for the most part the service is above reproach. Call the Borough if you have complaints.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.

Council went into closed session to discuss contractual matters, pending litigation and receive advice of counsel.

Next meeting: Monday, September 16th at 8:00 pm