STATE LAW REQUIRES A BICYCLE RIDER UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE TO WEAR A HELMET: TITLE 39:4-10.1 Officers have been warning violators for some time now, but are still observing violators. Initial violators of the helmet law will receive warnings. For minors, the parent or legal guardian may be fined a maximum of $25 for the first offense and a maximum of $100 for subsequent offenses. Signed: Chief Richard Ortley

More than fifty residents attended this Council meeting , particularly to learn what will be done with the fire siren. But first, there was a presentation on beach replenishment. Councilman Husted introduced Howard Marlowe, president of Marlowe & Company, (www.marloweco.com ) our lobbyists in Washington, and he stressed how important it is for residents to contact their elected officials to act on legislation to save our beaches. He said that Congress reacts to letters from their constituents.

Paul Ordal, vice-president of Marlowe and Company, updated us on the WRDA bill progress. It was passed by the House on July 14th by a margin of 406-14. We are waiting until after the recess for the Senate to act on its version of WRDA.

Dr. Stewart Farrell spoke of dune-and-beach- system erosion susceptibility throughout the Borough of Mantoloking and storm-damage assessment for one year, two year, five year and higher-year storm events, and the necessity for renourishment. Dr. Mark Mihalasky produced a series of maps of the beach showing the oceanfront area most in need of storm hazard mitigation. These maps are available to residents at Borough Hall. There are twelve maps, each showing an area of the beach from north to south. The Borough web site Mantoloking.org is up-to-date on all this.

Mayor Dunbar opened the Council meeting at 8:35 pm. All Council members were present. The Mayor confirmed the nomination of Sarah Dewing, Constance Kapp and Virginia Sigety for the 2011 Centennial Celebration Committee. He recommended the appointment of Jennifer B. Krieg for the office of Municipal Court Administrator.

The Police Department was unusually busy during July. There were 308 total incidents reported which included six animal complaints, one boat stop, three disorderly conduct, eight first aid calls, five DWI, nine lost and found, two noise complaints and one open door/window, all of which are normal for a summer month. Chief Ortley had nothing more to add.

The Fire Company responded to 24 fire calls, had two drills and one meeting during July. Twelve calls were in Mantoloking, six in Bay Head and six in Brick. There were two brush fires on East Avenue, a structure fire, a pole fire and a car fire in Bay Head The Company went to twelve alarm-sounding calls, an oil spill, a wires down, a smell of gas, and a fuel leak.

Councilman Nebel, Chairman of the Finance Committee moved to accept the report of the Municipal Finance Officer. Resolutions to pay bills of $137,230.30, to authorize the sale of a used public works utility trailer as surplus personal property for $689.99, to authorize the sale of a used police vehicle for $6,556, and to appoint Jennifer B. Kreig as Court Administrator and Michael Bennett as Police Academy Recruit, were passed.

A discussion for the Emergency Public Notification System, aka The Fire Siren, began with Fire Company president Foster Voorhees asking Council to oppose eliminating the fire siren. He stated the siren protects all residents as it draws attention to emergencies and alerts traffic to emergency vehicles. The fire siren is not used at night because fire fighters have their pagers close; during the day that may not be the case. The siren is necessary.

Jake Schmierer, vice president of the Fire Company, recalled the 60 year history of the siren. In 1998, the pagers were reliable so the siren was turned off at night. Also, in '98 the siren cycle was reduced from seven to four which was less intrusive. Technology is different today. A horn would be an electronic system and at a 50-foot level, above the present 35-foot placement. He sited four reasons for the necessity of a sound system. Pagers alone are not sufficient, they are not always with us; it alerts the public that an emergency is in progress; a built-in redundancy if pagers don't work or are not near; and, without sirens, fewer firefighters respond.

Stan Witkowski, a member of the Company, responded to the three letters Mr. Torre has written to residents saying that the alarm system is superfluous, that his community of Huntington, L.I. gets along on pagers alone. Mr. Witkowski contacted fire companies there and learned they used pagers and sirens. All communities in Ocean County use sirens and pagers, and most of them continue to use sirens 24/7. Home insurance rates would increase by approximately five percent if the Borough eliminated the audible fire alarm. Mr. Torre did agree that a siren would be necessary to alert residents of weather-related emergencies, FEMA activities, floods, etc.

Mr. Torre commented 125 residents had signed his petition to eliminate the siren, and after contacting his office, said more names had been added. He is fully committed to getting rid of the siren, and if it takes legal action, he is prepared to go that route. As he continued to talk, a heated discussion took place as the Mayor 'suggested' Mr. Torre leave the podium.

Councilman Gillingham resolved to award the bid for new equipment to minimize noise. It would not start at full strength, but gradually rise to let persons adjust to it. It would be able to emit sounds at different pitches and be adjustable. Counsel O'Malley interjected Council must reject prior bids before accepting the new, lower bid. However, acceptance of this bid is preliminary upon approval of the demonstration. Council approved the resolution as modified.

A DEMONSTRATION OF THE ELECTRONIC AUDIBLE ALARM SYSTEM FOR THE BOROUGH OF MANTOLOKING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 7:30 PM ON AUGUST 24TH.

Councilman Laymon reported, though there have been a few glitches, the garbage and recycling system has been working very well. He noted that the Municipal Garage Sale will be September 24th in Mantoloking, Bay Head and Point Pleasant Beach.

Councilman Popaca said the water pressure problem seems to be a thing of the past.

Councilman Jones said the high tides related to 'Irene' have reduced the beach. He also talked of the Flood Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee. The reports have been submitted to towns for review, that a draft is on the web site. The goals have been set and must be approved before any action can be taken. They will study all aspects of flooding.

Many properties in the Borough have much overgrowth of bushes and trees encroaching on the sidewalk and driveway entrances. This causes hazardous conditions as drivers cannot see what is coming. People walking on sidewalks must avoid branches and bushes. Please check your property and take care of this problem.

There are a lot of dogs visiting for the summer. We are happy to have them, but please pick up the vestiges of their stay.

Council adjourned this meeting at 9:18 pm and went into closed session in compliance with the open public meeting act.

The next regular Council meeting will be on Monday, September 19, 2005 at 8 pm.

The Reporter is compiled and edited by Christine Wilder.