First things first! The Mantoloking Reporter is just about running on empty. The mid-1996 Fund Drive has carried us just over three years. As before, we ask for $25-$35 from a lot of people rather than larger amounts from fewer people.

We are pleased so many of you do donate each time we ask, and we are still perplexed that some of you never send in anything. The Reporter is free to property owners whether or not they donate, but we cannot continue to publish without funds. Out-of-towners gotta donate to stay on the list.

Together, The Mantoloking Reporter and The Directory cost approximately $3750 a year. The first issue was published in October, 1974. Donations are tax deductible. The Reporter is non-political and will not serve
any personal or group interest at the expense of another.

Donations may be sent to The Mantoloking Reporter, PO Box 707, Mantoloking, NJ 08738

***********************************************************
One day last week, several dedicated public servants performed heroic duty to aid a mother in distress. A police officer, two postal employees, a prominent building contractor and three residents were
instrumental in extricating four ducklings from under sewer grates on Lagoon Lane.
***********************************************************

Walter Bray wonders if the Borough could upgrade the appearance of Mantoloking by eliminating telephone poles and wires. They are an eyesore. . . Runnie Colie would like the police department to monitor street lights and report outages to GPU; he suggests Council support Pt Pleasant Beach to not allow a gun shop in PPB.

Mayor Dunbar called the meeting to order. All Council members were present.

The Police Department reported all officers are scheduled for Breathalyzer Refresher courses, and the police boat is being prepared for the summer. Summer brings added traffic and people to Mantoloking. The Police Department hires extra personnel to patrol the beaches and see that beach ordinances are obeyed. In the past, students were hired but were found ineffective. Since Borough beaches extend for two miles, it was determined that police officers would not only be more effective on the beach, they could aid the Police Department in other matters if, and when necessary. They are armed because they are police officers, not because armed officers are needed on the beach.

In April, the Fire Company responded to eight fire calls, held three training drills and one business meeting. Six calls were fire alarms sounding, one was a deck fire and one, an overturned car.

Seventeen building permits were issued in April, all for alterations in the private sector.

CFO Crelin stated, after intense legal review, leasing the Ladder Truck for the Fire Company "would have required the Borough to make the bank whole if the IRS changed the tax exempt status of municipal leases." Consequently he sold a $432,000 BAN at 3.56%, 1.30% ahead of the lease program! To do this, Ordinance #400, repealing Bond Ordinance #393 (purchase of fire equipment) was passed.

Bills for April totaled $838,895, including $547,962 for 2nd quarter county taxes, $54,570 for 4th quarter school taxes and $120,000 for the ladder truck chassis. All other bills were routine.

Ordinance #401, to amend Ordinance #376 which allocated $40,000 for replacing bulkheads, appropriates $66,000 to replace the bulkheads. It was passed.

Ordinance #402, replacing Ordinance #188 for the regulation of dogs, is really an amendment to be integrated into the proposed revision of the beach and dune ordinances ,Ordinance #403, both passed by title only. A
special public meeting will be held Tuesday, June 1st at 8:00 pm to hear plans for revising all presently existing beach and dune ordinances. Special attention will be called to sub-articles dealing with the changing of clothing and undressing in public, dogs on all beaches, including Bay beaches and vehicles on the beach.

The following resolutions were passed:

a. Approve sidewalk replacement at 1237 and 1339 Ocean Avenue. Because
of heavy truck use to repair beaches, these sidewalks were destroyed.

b. Authorize advertisement of the sale of the Spartan Pumper Truck;

c. Authorize CFO Crelin to return street opening fees erroneously
collected;

d. Authorize CFO Crelin to release $6,300 surety bond to NJ American
Water Co for pump house renovations on Bay and Arnold Avenues;

e. Authorize CFO Crelin to release overpayments on tax collection;

f. Authorize hiring seasonal employees and approve salaries;

g. Authorize the distribution of free beach badges to employees and
fire company members;

h. To support designation of "No Discharge Zone" in the North Barnegat
Bay; and

i. To set Special Council Meeting Date (June 1st @ 8pm) This meeting
will discuss dogs, the beach and dunes and anyone who wants to know
about these regulations should be at this special meeting.

Beach badges will be sold beginning May 29th. The sales office at Borough Hall will be open from 10 am until 2 pm on weekends and holidays, and from 9 am to 1 pm during the week. Beach badges are $6.00 each for the season.

Councilman Jones reported the dunes were blessed with more sand during the east winds of the past week, but during high tides the beach is minimal.

Councilman Gillingham stated the Borough will be obligated to clear the bay-access paths if adjacent residents don‚t do it first. . . .There will be a hearing for residents of Bay and Princeton Avenues to discuss the raising/repairing of those streets before anything is decided. . . .To add smooth railings to beach-access steps would cost too much.

Council went into closed session. The next regular meeting will be June 21st at 8 pm. The special meeting re dogs, beach and dune ordinances will be held at 8 pm on Tuesday, June 1st. Be there!

Mayor's Office Hours: Fridays from 10:00 to Noon.

The Mantoloking Reporter is edited by Christine Wilder.

Calendar | Comments/Questions? Links

Copyright 1999 Borough of Mantoloking