Mayor Dunbar met with Dick Lane, Ocean County‚s Engineer, who chastised the Borough of Mantoloking for holding up construction of the new Mantoloking Bridge.  All bridge plans have been approved but the New Jersey Historical Preservation Society has put a stop on a go-ahead. It is demanding a place for historic pictures of the bridge to be displayed and that the bridge tender's "house" be constructed with a tin roof.  Mayor Dunbar signed; the pictures will be hung in Borough Hall.

 The bridge construction is scheduled to begin in the spring or fall of 2000.  The bascule bridge will be twenty-eight feet high in the down position, three lanes and a bicycle lane, and will not eliminate Jack Wagner‚s garage, or any other structures.

 The modernization of Route 35 is three to five years away.  In the meantime, the Mayor has strongly requested a stop cycle be added to the light at 35 and Herbert Street, and/or a button for pedestrians to change the light.

 Carol Leone commented if only 25 dogs were licensed in the Borough, how come she sees twice that number on the beach almost every day? The Mayor answered the Borough will do a house-to-house dog census in April, so if you haven't procured your licenses, do it.  If your dog is licensed elsewhere, you obviously do not need a Mantoloking license, but it would be wise to have a local address attached to your pet‚s collar.

 Councilmen Gillingham and Husted were excused for this meeting; all others were present.

 The Police continue to use radar at various and different points along Route 35 and Barnegat Lane. They have checked the morning school bus route and have observed no passing violations.  They are being trained in the proper use of the PR-24 night stick. Classes  are scheduled to train three officers to use the defibulator. This is sponsored by Community Hospital and more will be trained in the future.  

 Superintendent Heckmen continues to suspect and will trace sump pumps emptying into the sewer.  He did an amazing feat of installing a system in the firehouse to exhaust the diesel fumes, thus saving the Borough close to $14,000.  And the aging bulkheads are being closely monitored.

 The Fire Company responded to fourteen fire calls in January: Five in Mantoloking, one in Brick and eight in Bay Head. Six of these were alarms sounding, three smoke smells, two gas smells, and one each, electric hazard, water leak and transformer fire.  The Company had a pump test and drills on car fires and equipment, and the monthly business meeting.

 Ten building permits were issued during January: One new building and six alterations in the residential sector and three non-residentail alterations.

 The final budget was presented by CFO Crelin and reflects only 9/10's of one cent (.009) increase of the local tax rate.  "The Borough‚s total assessed value was decreased by our Assessor by $2,694,603, based on current market values of the homes within the Borough."

 The Borough received $2,074 less in State Aid from the Energy Receipts Tax, less in revenues from the Department of Community Affairs for the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund, and less in delinquent tax receipts because residents paid their taxes on time.

 Bills presented totaled $775,741, with first quarter County taxes accounting for  $547,962 , third quarter school taxes, $54,570 and NJ pension/benefits, $50,997.

 In old business, Ordinance #397, amending salary ordinance and providing for revision of the salary range for the office of tax assessor, was passed.

 In new business, Ordinance #398, establishing a mutual aid agreement for emergency police services among and between Ocean County municipalities, was  passed by title only.  This provides for Borough police to assist Ocean County communities at the discretion of the Police Chief.  The Police Department currently assists adjacent communities.

 Ordinance #399, an ordinance to consider amending Ordinance #371 providing for land use regulations in the Borough of Mantoloking was passed by title only. The Borough deems it appropriate to amend some Articles which deal with definitions, fees, that all members of the Planning Board be residents, signs, etc.

Resolutions to introduce the budget, the 1999 employment agreement with the Chief of Police, the 1999 salaries and compensation of Borough employees and officials were passed.

Resolutions to award contracts for animal control, hardware and software computer services, speedometer calibration, police department physician and elevator services were passed.

And resolutions for contract approval for professional services of a dune consultant and conflict prosecutor were passed.

A resolution to consider support of a long-term care initiative which the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Ocean County has adopted in support of a Federal Long Term Care initiative was passed.  This is deemed crucial  to the  well-being  of those  over  85 who may  need long-term care.  This initiative will support family care givers and help address growing long-term care needs.

Residents are strongly urged to respect "backyard" garbage pickup.  Placing garbage cans at the curb is unsightly at best, and when they are empty, they blow with the wind.  If you are in town for a weekend, all you have to do is call 899-6600, let the Borough know you have refuse and it will inform Marpal to pick it up--AT THE BACKYARD.  Our taxes pay for back yard pickup.  We might as well use it.

And a resolution to consider supporting the return to New Jersey of the battleship USS New Jersey  and to establish an educational museum was passed. This project will be a tribute to veterans of all the Armed Services.

Councilman Jones reported the  DEP expects to treat barrier beach communities in the same manner it has handled them in the past.  It is  backing off its list of nutty proposals that would have set limiting boundaries to property development along the barrier beaches, mainly because these areas are pretty much fully developed already.  
There will be a special meeting Monday, March 8th and the regular Council Meeting, Monday, March 22nd, both at 8:00 pm.

 The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

The Mantoloking Reporter is compiled and written by Christine Wilder.

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