A reminder: "DUNE GRASS AND FENCING: The Borough will receive dune grass from Ocean County on November 4, 2005. All beach front property owners may call the Borough Hall at 732-899-6600 to reserve their allotment. If you have not received dune fencing in 2005, you may reserve that at the same time. If your landscaper, caretaker or other is picking up your dune grass or fencing, please let the Borough Hall Offices know that when you call. Those who are not using a landscaper or caretaker for their grass planting will have their dune grass delivered by the Public Works Department. Leave a large pail with water, to cover the roots of the plants out near your garage." There may be questions about where to plant this grass as the dunes were depleted from last week's storm.

Emergency Management Coordinator Sgt. Mark Wright: If you hear a steady siren blast of 3 to 5 minutes, 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.

Gloria Gledhill, a representative of New Jersey- American Water Company, praised the Borough for its help in restricting water use during the drought. She told us the restrictions have been lifted.

Mayor Dunbar called the meeting to order at 8:15 pm. All Council members were present except Mr. Laymon who had been excused. Mayor Dunbar said the Post Office will be open on Saturdays until 2:00 pm; the Borough office will return to winter hours, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; that on October 25th and 26th, the main channel under the bridge will be closed (marine interests will be notified); Herbert Street will be resurfaced in two weeks at night; and because it is deemed too dangerous for postal workers to deliver mail to Bettie Wagner, the Post Office will give her a box!

The Police Department had 190 reportable incidents during September. Sgt. Mark Wright wrote the police boat used $1,514.46 for gas, fifteen summonses were issued, twelve written warnings given and many verbal ones. Sgt. Wright worked with the seven Special Class One officers and Part Time Regulars who worked during the summer. They worked as crossing guards, chalk tires of parked cars, weekend boat patrol, badge checkers and were much appreciated.

The Police Department has "no solicitation" stickers. If you see these people, please call the police immediately. They aren't supposed to be here.

The Mantoloking Fire Company responded to eleven fire calls, had three drills and one monthly meeting during September. The fire alert system has been ordered and will be here is six to eight weeks.

Eight new permits and three updates were issued by the Construction Office during August, for siding, new windows, humidifiers and air conditioners, a garage, radiant heat, a demolition and a new house. Nine new and five updates were issued for September; for alterations, plumbing, new roof, new windows, a new house, a demolition and new shingles.

In September, the Land Use Officer received forty applications, of which 36 were approved One foundation survey was approved as was one roof ridge survey. Applications include everything from additions, alterations, new homes, fences, pools and davits to garage sales, landscaping, tents and miscellaneous.

Councilman Nebel accepted the Municipal Finance Officer's report, said for the two thirds of 2005, two thirds of the budget has been expended.

Ordinance #500, amending Ordinance #471, the Borough Salary Ordinance, revising salaries for the Deputy Municipal Court Administrator, Court Personnel call-out time and creating the position of Municipal Court Violations Clerk and the salary for said office, was passed.

Councilman Nebel recommeded the following resolutions: Paying of $67,847 of bills for October; transferring current year appropri-ations #1-2005; requesting cancellation of outstanding checks; refunding overpaid property taxes; providing for grant of additional sick leave; and granting unpaid family leave.

A resolution was passed providing for the approval of assigning the 2005 contract for Muni- cipal Engineering Services with Stetler and Guldin to Hatch Mott MacDonald. (Thomas Guldin P.E. is now employed with Hatch Mott MacDonald.)

A resolution was passed in support of state funding for the State-mandated use of Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C, a new device to measure alcohol consumption to enforce drunk driving laws. Each unit will cost about $13,000.

A resolution to approve the PBA Contract Settlement Proposal for the period January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009, and a resolution providing for the approval of the adoption of revised by-laws of the Mantoloking Volunteer Fire Company No.1 were passed. Councilman Popaca presented a resolution to award a contract for a surge suppression system to be installed in the Municipal Building to Absolute Power Systems of Marlton, New Jersey for $11,738. This system will protect the Borough, its computers, all electrical systems and whatever else needs protection from surge damage.

A resolution providing for contract close-out and release of remaining contrct balances and retainage for F & P Contractors, Inc. storm drainage, curb and sidewalk improvements for Barnegat Lane, Lyman to Bergen was passed.

The governing body of Mantoloking wishes to obtain a grant from the State in the amount of $6,041 to fund stormwater activities. Thus, a resolution was passed to apply for payment from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection for Storm Water grant No. WQ05-449.

And a resolution to the New Jersey DOT to request an extension of the award of contract for paving Barnegat Lane (Bergen to Herbert) was passed. Since the Borough is actively prosecuting other roadway projects at this time and militating in favor of deferring this six months, from January 23, 2006 to July 23, 2006, and hope it will still be allotted the $140,000 to complete the project . . .

A resolution to grant the franchise to New Jersey Natural Gas to lay, maintain and operate natural gas facilities in Mantoloking was renewed for 15 years.

A resolution to urge the Legislature to reject efforts by telecommunications companies to eliminate cable television municipal consents was passed. All companies must adhere to the same rules. That includes Verizon which is trying to bypass the municipal consent process under which all cable companies now operate.

Councilman Husted had not much news, the WERDA bill is still in committee with no clear sign where it's going, but Congress is doing all it can. The study was approved and is in the budget and will continue in 2006.

Councilman Jones talked of the storm that took awaythe beach at the base of the dunes, the steps to the beach, much sand fencing that was placed too far onto the beach. The whole beach, north to south, looked much the same, no beach but the dunes still are there. The beach sees good sand to the north and there is sand offshore, a net loss of sand, but sand bars are close to shore at the north end, not so close in the south. If the west winds continue, we may bulldoze to stabilize and stop erosion of the dunes, then continue bulldozing later as situations and weather permit.

A resolution declaring a state of emergency concerning the dune and beach system and providing for restoration of it under and pursuant to regulations of NJDEP (Cafra) and the dune ordinance of the Borough of Mantoloking, was passed.

There is the dune walk this Thursday, but it will be restricted since the only place to walk is on the dunes. Anyone who would like to join the walk may do so, but must walk on the beach.

Council adjourned to go into executive session. The next meeting is November 21, 2005 at 8 pm.

The Reporter is compiled and edited by Christine Wilder.