A special Council hearing on the land use ordinance was held Tuesday, September 9th with all members present. Borough Engineer Robert Mainberger stated the history of the ordinance and the desire to combine the plans of Mantoloking and the state‚s municipal land use law. This meeting lasted more than two hours with about twenty residents commenting on all aspects of the ordinance from flag pole height, front and back setbacks, grandfather clauses, dormers, widow's walks, roof pitch, etc.

After input from residents, Council would study the comments, any changes to be introduced at the September meeting, another public hearing on October 6th, the final vote at the October Council meeting.

Council Meeting, September 15, 2003

Walter Bray asked Council to take a strong stand with the DOT, that the widening of Route 35 is just the first stage of a plan to eventually take land for shoulders, then sidewalks. He prefers Council have the DOT just repave, not make any other changes. And, he would like to see the light at Herbert Street reflect pedestrian traffic. . MaryAnn Buck thinks a left-turn arrow from 35 onto Herbert would improve traffic flow.

Mayor Dunbar opened the meeting at 8:10, all members were present except Councilman Husted who had been excused.

Police Chief Ortley reported August was a busy month with 215 total incidents, everything from animal complaints, personal injuries, suspicious persons to locked-out-of-house help. Improper and overtime parking produced income! The Fire Company had 28 fire calls, three drills and one meeting. There were alarms sounding, possible and real fires, a water rescue during a MYC Optimist regatta and wires down.

Destruction-construction continues in Mantoloking. Fourteen new and eight update permits were issued last month.

Dave Loughran, Emergency Management: If you hear a steady siren blast of 3 to 5 minutes, it means to turn your radio to 1160 WOBM-AM, 92.7 WOBM-FM, 95.9 WADB-FM, 1310 WJLK-AM, 98.5 WJLK-FM, or 100.1 WJRZFM. Or call 800 792-8314 for the New Jersey State Police Emergency Management Hotline. A FORMAL NOTICE TO EVACUATE HAS THE FORCE OF LAW. IT MUST BE OBEYED. If you are unable to evacuate, call the Mantoloking Police at 892-0832 to arrange transportation to an inland shelter.

Bills totaling $257,356.37, all routine, were approved and passed.

In old business, Ordinance #465, the land use ordinance, was discussed. All changes will be on the web site, mantoloking.org and this writer defers to the official wording of those changes in order to keep from publishing something that can be misconstrued, or just plain wrong. The complete Ordinance will be available at Borough Hall as well.

Councilman Nebel said an inspector should be utilized during construction to certify measurements after a foundation is poured, to approve front elevations and high framing members, and inspect pool heights before the concrete is poured, among other considerations.

He also wanted critical areas above scarp line not excluded from lot-area calculations. This was not passed as Councilmen Jones, Popaca and Gillingham were opposed to this change.

The amendment of the proposed ordinance #465, introduced on June 16th, reintroduced as amended on August 18th and as further amended, was passed. The public hearing, as stated above, will be October 6th, and might be passed at the October 20th meeting---four years incubating!

The following resolutions were passed: to approve the sale of the surplus fire truck to Alpine Fire of Wichita, Kansas (expected to get $100,000, got $130,000), approve application for payment #3 to C J Hesse, Inc. for improvements to Downer Avenue; approve the ratification of employment of new police recruit, P. R. Murphy; grant additional sick leave to Borough Employee; support State legislative bills to ensure all emergency management volunteers in State, County or Municipal service would be entitled to worker‚s compensation benefits; approve advertising the sale of two used police vehicles; approve refund overpayment of sewer fees for block 24, lot 11; approve grant application for Local Domestic Preparedness Equipment Grant program; approve reconveyance of copy rights of Mantoloking book entitled „Mantoloking Through the Lens‰ by Anne L. Benedict, to the Mantoloking Historical Society; and, reject all bids for the purchase of new fire apparatus.

Councilman Gillingham: No reason for no left turn from Herbert Street to Barnegat Lane. Sixty-eight persons responded to the Fire Siren questionnaire, half want a more "ear-sensitive" signal and understand the cost of a new system. Others object to a new signal and new taxes.

Councilman Jones: There is a dune but no beach. The first week of November, dune grass and sand fencing will be available. Call 732 899-6600 to reserve. These do keep sand in place.

Councilman Laymon: New bids for garbage and recycling will go out the end of October or sooner. Garbage now has isolated problems but there are major problems with Waste Management.

The year old Mantoloking sign on the Bay Head border has been stolen. Maybe in a dorm!

Special meeting, 10/6; regular meeting 10/20/03