Many residents braved the cold night to hear Mayor Dunbar dedicate the Borough‚s Freedom tree and have it blessed by Reverend Neil Turton. The Fire Company pressed the button and lo!, the lights shown and the assembled sang Christmas carols. A truly Victorian moment.

Mayor Dunbar presented Certificates of Appreciation to fourteen persons who have contributed to the well-being of Mantoloking. The Mayor bestowed honors to the Seaweeders Garden Club, its President Pat Keating, and members Mary Anne Finch, Jean Kight and Jacqueline Lewis for their unfailing good taste and effort in producing the Borough garden.

To Peter A. Flihan, Jr. in recognition of Outstanding Citizenship for his efforts with the 4th of July activities; to Stanley F. Witkowski, Fireman, who does educational presentations to school children to make sure they know what to do if encountering a fire; to Susan Laymon for her position with the Municipal Alliance Committee and volunteering as Mantoloking School Board treasurer; to David P. Loughran in recognition of 18 years as Emergency Management Coordinator. He will retire at year’s end.

To William K. Heckman for the outstanding job of planning and craftsmanship on building the new public works garage (the place to go during a stage 5 hurricane)!; to Robert S. McIntyre, Jr. for outstanding citizenship in all, for all and with all sections of life in the Borough and elsewhere; to Officer Eugene J. Saccone, Jr. for his exemplary work performance in the search and evacuation of a burning house in Bay Head; and to Officers Mark A. Wright and Erik Menck, and Fire Captain Stacy S. Ferris for their outstanding performance and heroism in the rescue of victims from a burning boat, and securing same.

Mayor Dunbar proudly congratulated Nancy A. Klumb, Deputy Borough Clerk, who was certified as a Registered Municipal Clerk, a valuable achievement. And to Sandra Maidling, Court Administrator awarded by Ocean County for her outstanding performance and lasting contribution as a Court Administrator in the Municipal Division. This annual award is earned by only one Municipal Court Administrator in the county.

The meeting was opened at 8:15 pm. All Councilmen were present. Mayor Dunbar announced the DOT will not take any shoulders when reforming the highway.

Police Chief reported November was quiet for his Department.

Superintendent Heckman, among other things, made a map of the puddle areas on Barnegat Lane to give to Engineer Guldin.

Construction Official Wardell issued five new and two updated building permits in November. The permits were for a new single-family dwelling, an in-ground pool, a deck and plumbing changes.

Emergency Management Coordinator Loughran sent to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department the Borough’s hard copy of its WMD appendix, and copies of certain changed pages of its emergency operations plan. He also confirmed the Borough will participate in NJOEM‚s Comprehensive Resource Directory Database.

The bill list consisted of bills totaling $208,938, all routine and passed by Council.

There was no old business. In new business, Council passed the following resolutions:

b. Approve the 2003 Budget transfers;

c. Provide for the release of a surety bond to Baine Contracting, Inc. in conjunction with the demolition of the dwelling at 306 Old Bridge Street;

d. Provide for the return of excess real estate taxes to two residents who double-paid;

e. Provide for an award of contract to R.W.V. Lane and Livestock South, Inc. for emergency storm-response in the event of devastating events to the Borough. (Councilman Husted is adamant that having this contract in place is insurance the Borough will get immediate help in the event of a destructive storm).

f. Provide for the award of contract to G. Falck Protection, Inc. for the Fire sprinkler System in the Public Works Garage;

g. Approve employment agreements and attendance at the Police Academy for new police officer recruits, Stacy Ferris and Steven Kenney, who will serve as special police officers from June to September;

h. Approve an amendment to the police manual for the Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy. This is mandated by the State;

i. Provide for the monetary recovery for damage to the Downer Avenue bulkhead negligently caused by a motorist last July 4th;

j. Oppose Public Law 2003, Chapter 28 and NJSA 5:75A, Fire Service Resource Emergency Deployment which interfere with the traditional local control of fire emergency management and local officials who are best equipped to determine the most effective way to deploy local fire-fighting resources;

k. Approve the Multiple Sclerosis Society “Coast to Coast” Bike Tour which will proceed through Mantoloking on May 22 and 23, 2004; and,

l. Request approval from NJ DOT of a six-month extension of time, from January 21, 2004 to July 21,2004 to award the contract for reconstruction of Barnegat Lane from Lyman Street to Bergen Avenue.

Councilman Husted again repeated funding for the Werter bill has not been approved by the Senate. . . . The northeaster two weeks ago took lots of sand, stairs and fencing. The latest nor’easter took more.

Councilman Popaca said public works will fix some of the beach stairs, but the rest will have to wait until spring. Those areas are closed.

Councilman Laymon said the garbage collection is on winter-mode, thus doing pretty well. Garbage bids are due January 23rd. . .The Beautification of Mantoloking is magnificent, the Christmas tree aglow on the Œgreen‚.

The 2004 budget will be finished early in January, stated Councilman Nebel.

Flood insurance, take the maximum to recover the most, said Councilman Jones

Councilman Laymon asks if you have suggestions for community projects in town, small stuff to be funded by Community Grants.

Council went into closed session to discuss contractual matters, pending litigation and receive advice of counsel.

Re-organization meeting, Monday January 5 2004 at 8:00 pm. Regular meeting, Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at 8:00 pm.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!