Mantoloking
Decmber 18, 2000 No. 316
Very early Friday morning, December 9th, Patrolman Gino Saccone reported the fire that incinerated the houses at 1326 and 1322 Bay Avenue and severely damaged 1328 Bay Avenue. Fire fighters from nine companies fought heroically to control the blazes and to keep them from spreading to other buildings. A lonely chimney was all that remained of 1326 Bay Avenue. The house at 1322 was so thoroughly damaged it was condemned and had to be demolished. What is left of 1328 has been boarded up. Old Mantoloking houses dating to the early 1900s--such a sadness to see our history rise up in smoke. Fire Chief George Downes thanked Council for the new ladder truck. Without it, he stressed, the whole block would have been ablaze. That truck saved the day!
Mayor Dunbar presented awards of appreciation to the following:
Linda M. Considine, Board of Education Business Administrator for nine years;
Jack Wagner, a past deputy Zoning Officer, Planning Board member and Mantoloking's oldest active member of the Fire Company, since 1979;
Irene H. Ryan, Court Administrator for the past five years;
John Wardell, Construction Official and a member of the Point Pleasant First Aid Squad. While carrying out his job as construction official, he was first responder to two serious car accidents. His dedication to saving lives is recognized and appreciated by the Borough;
Patricia A. Kempker, assistant to the Municipal Attorney and considered part of our government staff, is a great team member and attentive to the Borough's needs;
Edwin J. OâMalley, Jr., Mantoloking's Municipal Attorney for the last 30 years. He has written most of the ordinances, contracts and employee manuals, and is always available for routine legal business no matter how menial;
And Judge Samuel M. Morris who has been with the Borough for 25 years.
All Council members were present for this meeting which Mayor Dunbar opened at 8:10 pm.
The Police Department handled 197 incidents during November. The Fire Company responded to two calls, both alarms-sounding in Mantoloking, had two training drills and one scheduled business meeting during November. Nine new construction permits and three permit updates were issued last month for decks, an inground pool, plumbing, roofing and alterations.
CFO Bill Crelin again reports that TAX SALE notices were mailed two weeks ago. He has had no response as of this date. The sale date is December 29th at 10:00 am. Four delinquent tax accounts from 1999 along with one sewer account will be sold on that date. There are 72 accounts and 23 sewer accounts delinquent for 2000 taxes. If these are not paid it will affect the 2001 budget adversely to cause an increase in the amount to be raised by taxation.
Five resolutions were passed:
a. Council approved a transfer of $15,037 of budget appropriations which is allowed by New Jersey Statute 40A:4-58 in the last two months of the calendar year;
b. Council approved the cancellation of minor balances on taxes and sewer charges of $5.00 or less for 2000;
c. Council approved Payment No. 4 for the Municipal Building Interior Electrical Modifications;
d. The governing entities of the Boroughs of Point Pleasant Beach and Mantoloking have agreed to apply for Regional Efficiency Development Incentive (REDI) Assistnace through the State of New Jersey REDI Program in the amount of $18,838.77. The purpose of this grant is to promote shared services of a Computerized Fuel Dispensing and Maintenance Record Keeping System to be beneficial to both localities; and
e. Council approved Progress Payment No. 1 in the sum of $29,782.20 under contract with Bird Construction for the bulkhead replacement at North Lagoon Lane.
Councilman Jones said a very complete report on the Dune Walk was submitted to Council which included the outline for future recommendations. Each beachfront owner will be advised to keep up his dunes; the dune committee will be less forgiving than in the past. Councilman Nebel suggested a full report be distributed to each owner.
Councilman Husted reported that major gains have been achieved re beach funding; that coastal regions have gotten more funds than ever before because the economic value of tourism is finally being recognized as a major industry. The American Coastal Coalition has been a primary agency in this effort to gain funding from the federal government.
Councilman Jones said the flood insurance information has been mailed to all residents. The new map is effective December 20th. The map mailed to residents is too small to really comprehend but FEMA did not allow the Borough to distribute the larger map. However, residents can call FEMAs toll-free number, 1-800-358-9616 to request a larger map. FEMA likes Mantoloking because 97% of its homes are covered for Flood Insurance. And, if you want more insurance, you can apply for it, beachfront owners anyway.
The Finance Committee has completed the Borough part of the 2001 Budget and is awaiting the State's portion.
Mayor Dunbar reported Mantoloking has been denied its request to change the speed limit on Route 35. It will remain at 40 mph.
What about giving a Mantoloking flag to someone as a Christmas present?
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm. The next meeting will be the Organization Meeting on Tuesday, January 2nd 2001, and the Regular Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 16th, 2001.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2001.
For sale: Mantoloking Flag, 18" x 24", $15.00, at Borough Hall
