Organization Meeting January 3, 2005

The Borough Clerk, Irene Ryan, administered the oath of Office of Council Member to Douglas Popaca and George Nebel for three-year terms expiring on December 31, 2007.

Councilman Laymon was absent from this meeting because of illness.

In new business, the following resolutions were passed. Councilman Steve Gillingham was nominated and elected Council President. The appointment of officials, committees and boards for 2005 were confirmed. Official depositories were named as were official newspapers. The temporary budget was set The tax collector was directed to collect delinquent taxes. The Mantoloking Local Emergency Planning Committee was named Tax appeal agents were directed to correct any assessments, if it becomes necessary. The adoption of a cash management plan was approved.

Reminders to residents: When there is snow, all automobiles must be off the streets to enable plowing. And all Borough dog licenses are due for renewal in January.

The US Dept of Commerce will expand the American Community Survey (ACS) to allow the US Census Bureau to issue a short-form only census in 2010. Some US households throughout the nation will be receiving a survey form to be completed and returned. Response to the survey is mandatory. ACS will recruit permanent part-time workers to interview those households that do not complete the forms. Interested persons can call the Census Bureau at 1 800 262-4236 x 1 to learn more and to obtain an application. To learn more about the ACS, go to http://www.census.gov/acs/www/.

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Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2005

Mayor Dunbar opened this meeting promptly at 8 pm. All Council members were present. The Mayor first asked for public comments. Peter Flihan wondered if the New Jersey- American Water Company would ever address the water-pressure issue many residents experience repeatedly. Councilman Popaca said he would contact the company again but the answer is usually there is no problem, that the pumps cycle off and on depending on demand. However, he will try.

Mayor Dunbar procclaimed Friday, February 4, 2005 as "National Wear Red Day for Women" to call attention to the magnitude of cardiovascular disease in women which is the leading cause of death among women.

Police Lieutenant Michael Dreher reported 155 total incidents of police activity during December. He asked residents to forward phone numbers where they can be reached, that this is winter and water pipes break during bitter cold and windy weather(this week). The breakage is noticed when the temperature rises and water cascades throughout your house. TURN OFF YOUR WATER. Have a caretaker look at your property.

On January 5-7, Lt. Dreher and Patrolman Gino Saccone completed the Advanced Course for the Investigation and Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases.

The Fire Company was quiet except for a major fire on Lagoon Lane which was reported in the December issue.

Construction Official Wardell issued seven new permits and two updates. These were for air conditioning units, renovations, a greenhouse, a pool and expansions.

The Land Use Office's report for December: Of twelve applications, nine were approved; one Certificate of Compliance was issued; one Ridge Height Certification was approved; two violation notices were issued and one Certificate of Completeness was issued. A total of 158 applications were reviewed in 2004, for everything from new houses, pools, antennas, davits, tents, garage sales, renovations, etc.

Councilman Nebel, in a Resolution, accepted the report of the Chief Financial Officer on the status of the 2004 municipal budget as of November and it was passed by Council. It was also resolved to adopt a temporary budget.

Capital Bond Ordinances Nos. 486 through 489, and Budget Cap Ordinance 490 were passed by title only. These provide for road improvements, sanitary sewer pump station replacement, acquisition and installation of archives' shelving and police equipment. Ordinance No. 490, to exceed the 2005 municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank was passed by title only. Ordinance No. 491, to regulate the direction of traffic on Princeton Avenue, Bay Avenue, Arnold Street and East Avenue, providing for certain related turn prohibitions and for the location of stop intersections, was passed by title only. Local municipalities are now allowed to make their own determinations regarding stop signs on local streets. The corners at Lyman Street and Bergen Avenue will become four-way stops. Councilman Laymon opposed the four-way stop at Lyman and Barnegat.

Councilman Nebel moved the following resolutions which were passed by Council:

Payment of bills, $1,348,971.40, for the month of Januaryof which $1,189,243.77 was paid to Ocean County for first quarter 2005 taxes; adopt appropriation reserve transfer #1; authorize the award of contracts for 2005 for "Professional Services" without competitive bidding; award micellaneous service and maintenance contracts for 2005; amend redemption of tax sale certificate; establish employee salaries for 2005; authorize an employment contract agreement as clerical assistant to Lynn Hazelet; and, authorize an employment contract ageement as a regular part time manual laborer to Alfred J. Hopkins.

Councilman Laymon sent a letter of thanks and commendation to Mary Ann Finch and Jackie Lewis for their efforts to beautify Mantoloking. The next project will be at the end of Lagoon Lane.

Councilman Gillingham understands it will be legal to have speed bumps installed on local streets.

Councilman Popaca reported the following change order #1: Due to the winter season, it is deemed appropriate and necessary to cease work on the curb, sidewalk and storm drainage improvements for Barnegat Lane, Lyman Street to Bergen Avenue, and to resume work in the spring of 2005.

Councilman Husted reported on the beach renourishment project which was authorized in Congres in December 1987. The Corps of Engineers since then has received the necessary funding to complete the studies which have been completed and approved. The Preliminary Engineering Design has been completed and have exceeded the necessary minimums. There is no problem that would prevent the completion of this project, but the Corps sometimes shifts funding to other projects; $500,000 was shifted. The Corps expects the funding will be replaced and the PED can be completed this year.

The Water Redevelopment Act (WRDA) has been the source of funding. Funds for WRDA were not approved along with other unapproved bills. Congress and the Senate are working to pass a new WRDA bill when they reconvene. "Unless a new WRDA bill is passed or some other vehicle allocating $60 to $70 million is approved The Renourishment Program of Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet will die."

Councilman Jones has sent a Dune Walk report to all ocean front property owners. Action is needed on about 40% of the properties, some of which is major, some minor.

Councilman Jones and the Flood Strategy Committee met today. The State plan re state and federal requirements has been held up, but the committee will continue to work for rate reductions.

The new list of Officials, Committees and Boards for 2005 in the Borough of Mantoloking can be accessed from the Mantoloking web site, mantoloking.org.

The next Council Meeting is Tuesday, February 15th at 8:00 pm.

The Reporter is compiled and edited by Christine Wilder.