Sergeant Carlos Madera of the United States Army National Guard and Mrs. John (Tracy) Barcus and her toddler son presented the United States Army for Patriotic Service and Employer Award to Mayor Dunbar and Police Chief Ortley for their continued support of Detective John Barcus who is serving with the army in Egypt.

Jubb Corbet of East Avenue again asked Council to do something about the fire sirens which have been plaguing him and his family for 37 years. His goals for new 'sirens' are to make them not so loud. They scare little children, devastate anyone with hearing aids and cause acoustic trama. Council said it is going out for bids for new fire horns.. . . .Maryanne Buck suggested Council erect or paint signs to direct traffic at Route 35 and Herbert Street. . . Dr. Paul Pellicci asked Council for a timeline on the completion of the new 'siren' project.

All Council members were present for this meeting which was held at 4pm. Council voted to hold the September meeting at 4pm. Mayor Dunbar reported the bridge construction seems to be ahead of schedule. Mantoloking received some monies from Homeland Security for the project.

The Police Department reported it handled 261 incidents during July. They included suspicious persons, thirteen boat stops by the marine patrol, disorderly conduct, medical assistance and two house lockouts. Chief Ortley said the anti-soliciting list is over 200 and growing. Lt Mike Dreher and Sgt Mark Wright were presented certificates for successfully completing Domestic Violence Training sponsored by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. A Traffic Safety Certificate was presented to T.S.O. Mark A. Wright for completing four hours of Construction Work Zone Safety conducted by Ocean County, in cooperation with Rutgers and the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety. The Division of Criminal Justice has certified that Ptl. Eugene Saccone has completed satisfactorily the Vehicle Operations Instructor Course.

The Fire Company responded to 25 fire calls and two water rescues, had three training drills and one business meeting during July. Two of the calls were lightning strikes, 16 were alarms and one was a structure fire.

Superintendent Heckman was very busy in July repairing and installing, and rescuing ducklings from the catch basin in front of the Yacht Club.

The Construction Official issued thirteen new permits and six permit updates during July. Many of these are for pool heaters and irrigation systems, water heaters and furnaces, new roofs, decks and siding.

The report of the Municipal Finance Officer was accepted for June 30th.

A public hearing on Ordinance #485,to amend street opening regulations, was passed after a public hearing. Contractor Dearborn had asked Council to allow NJNG to open the street to disconnect gas service for a house on Old Bridge Street. Council denied his request and requires NJNG to cap the gas at the curb which they said they'd do but reneged because a new NJNG directive requires NJNG to open the street instead. NJNG would restore the road, but Council has had unpleasant results with restoration after spending many $$$$$ to repave Borough roads. So, Ordinance #485 was passed. It provides for regulation of road openings for individual connections of utilities.

Finance Committee Chairman Nebel presented the following resolutions which were approved; a. Payment of bills totaling $236,884.24; b. Approve an item of revenue in the 2004 budget for $6,041 from the NJDEP called 2004 Storm Water Regulation Grant; c. Renew the Borough's membership in the New Jersey Intergovernmental Insurance Fund; d. Accept the 2003 Municipal Audit Report;; e. Adopt the corrective action plan in response to the audit, as of 12/31/03 findings; and f. Urge the New Jersey Legislature to strengthen the balanced budget provisions of the state constitution.

Councilman Gillingham added Police Sergeant Mark Wright to the Local Emergency Planning Committee, as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.

Councilman Gillingham presented the following Resolutions: a. Requesting a refund to a resident who overpaid a police officer who patrolled a party at her residence; b. Request to solicit bids for the replacement of the fire sirens; and c. Request that the members of the New Jersey Legislature support the statewide smoke free air legislation which would prohibit smoking in the common areas of indoor public places and workplaces throughout the State while also reserving local authority to enact stronger legislation.

Councilman Laymon said he had some minor complaints about garbage and recycling pickups, but that M & S was really very satisfactory and most are happy with its service.

He is pleased with how beautiful the gardens are and the new signs welcoming visitors to the Borough seem to be doing their job: lots of cars do come to (through) Mantoloking.

Councilman Popaca reported that bids for new bulkheading will be awarded at the special Council meeting on August 30th at 4pm.

Councilman Husted included a report by the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences (1995) titled 'Beach Nourishment and Protection.' The full report can be accessed on the website http://www.nap.edu/catalog/4984.html.

"Beach nourishment is a viable engineering alternative for shore protection and is the principal technique for beach restoration. . .The level of protection that is provided by beach nourishment projects and programs reduces risk and supports a reduction in National Flood Insurance premiums. . . The loss of a recreational beach, damage to private buildings or public facilities, flooding, or loss of tax revenues can all be symptoms that shoreline changes are affecting the utility, safety or social or economic well-being of a community. . . Reestablishing a beach that provides recreational opportunity as well as shore protection from storm damage is becoming the management option preferred by many communities. . . The media generally report the visual results of a storm but often fail to note that designers expected and planned for significant movement of sand off a beach during a storm. Nor do the media report on the return of sand during fair weather following the storm. . .Federal, state and local authorities with responsibility for coastal protection should view beach nourishment as a viable alternative for providing shore protection and for restoring lost recreational beach assets."

Rusty said chaos still reigns in Washington. The money is available for engineering studies and there is strong support in the coastal states. This whole reach is committed except for one community immediately north of Mantoloking. Talk to them.

Councilman Jones said three to five yards per cubic foot of sand were pushed though residents say not as much was pushed as in other years. There is more slope to the dune toe which is better even though the top is not as high. The beach will be strong for a 10-year storm.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm. The next Council meeting will be August 30, 2004 at 4pm. The September meeting will be held on the 20th at 4pm.