A reminder: The Mayor and Council will gather for the "Holiday Tree Lighting" on Sunday, December 5th at 6:00 pm (revised time) at the Borough Hall garden. Prisilla Hiby will be the Master of Ceremonies and lead us in song. All are invited to attend this festive function and enjoy an after-Carol reception at the Mantoloking Fire Company headquarters.

The Ocean County Health Department will have 640 doses of flu vaccine for residents of Mantoloking, Bay Head, Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach on November 30th from 9 am to noon at St. Martha's Roman Catholic Church, 3800 Herbertsville Road, Point Pleasant. “In order to receive a flu shot, bring proof of residency along with a Medicare card. For high risk persons 9 to 64 years, a doctor’s prescription for a flu shot with a diagnosis written out, not coded, explaining the high risk condition is necessary along with proof of residency.” Flu information is available at www.ochd.org or 732 341-9700, x 7284.

Mayor Dunbar called the Council Meeting to order promptly at 8:00 pm. All members were present. They all plan to be at the December meeting at which the Mayor's award ceremony takes place preceding the Council meeting.

After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, the Mayor asked for public comment from the floor. There being no 'public' at this meeting, the Mayor went on to Department Reports.

Police Chief Ortley said all was very quiet in October with only 184 total incidents, of which 44% were public services and ten percent were for traffic enforcement. He said a four-point buck has been seen around town at night on Runyon Lane and Barnegat Lane, and one officer has spotted it in the daytime. It swam into Mantoloking about two weeks ago (looking for a girl friend?) and will probably leave the way it came. But be cautious driving at night.

Fire Chief Gilman said the Fire Company responded to 12 fire calls, had two drills and one company meeting during October. The fire calls were pole fires, a gas leak, an electrical hazard, an odor investigation and a water rescue. The Fire Company also participated in a training drill in a Bay Head house which was to be demolished.

Construction Official Wardell issued nine new and six updated permits during October. Some of the permits are for plumbing updates, an inground pool with heater, major alterations, a balcony over a porch, reroofing, kitchen remodeling and air conditioning.

The Land Use Officer, Thomas Guldin, has initiated a monthly report of activity and enclosed a separate summary of zoning permit applications for the year. The monthly report contains how many applications were approved and how many denied. It includes complaints, violations, summonses issued etc.. The yearly report lists each type of permit and whether that permit was approved or denied.

Chief Financial Officer Swisher presented her report which was approved by Council.

Finance Committee Chairman Nebel moved the following resolutions which were passed:

To pay bills totaling $270,093.58 of which $27,650.50 was paid to the Ocean County Utility Authority and $18,305.84 to Stetler & Guldin for professional services;

Transfer current year appropriations;

Authorize the sale of a 1989 Ford dump truck, Meyer plow with spark lift and tail gate spreader for $7,526 to the highest bidder, the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach;

Authorize the sale of a used police rescue jet boat as used personal property;

Refund $537 in escrow funds to applicant;

Reimburse a resident for his property-tax overpayment; and

To support Senate Bill S-133 and Assembly Bill A-964 which would require the State of New Jersey to reimburse municipalities for the cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemptions.

Councilman Popaca said the new dump truck is ready for the winter with a plow, spreader and sander, and looks beautiful. He also reported the new garage-sprinklers are installed and the work is complete and awaiting inspection. He has been working with the County and Bay Head to purchase road salt in bulk, store it in Bay Head as it must be covered since Mantoloking has no facility for storing it. Buying in bulk will be cheaper for both boroughs. Councilman Husted said the beach suffered a loss of about twenty feet this past week and it was the first time the dunes had been overwashed. The southern part of Mantoloking's oceanfront was more damaged than the northern section.

As for Washington, it is confused. There is a conflict with the WRDA bill (Water Resources Development Act). It has not been passed and it is vying with the nuclear waste dumping bill. It is necessary to separate these two bills. Write your representatives, again and often.

Beach grass has been distributed and it is up to residents to plant it.

A resolution to oppose Senate Bill 282, known as the "Prosecutorial Unification Act," was passed. This states "whereby all County prosecutors and prosecutorial employees would be situated in, but not part of, the N. J. Department of Law and Public Safety" and the state legislature thinks that implementing this will result in reduced local property tax. A review of all counties' budgets shows that 4.7% of their budgets are due to the county prosecutors offices, and a State takeover would not reduce county property taxes in a significant way.

This meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.

The next Council meeting will be December 20, 2004 at 8:00 pm

Council went into closed session in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

We wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving.