Mantoloking
August 22, 2000 No. 313
At the June Council meeting Walter Bray made an impassioned
plea to have the speed limit on Ocean Avenue (Route 35) reduced from 40 miles
per hour. At this Council meeting Mary Lester pleaded to have the speed limit
reduced, stating that no one, adult or child, is safe crossing this highway.
Traffic just does not slow down, cars run the light at Downer. . . Dan Fitzgerald
told Council he had biked to Seaside, noted crossing guards at many intersections
along his route. He said speed limits along this same Route 35 are lower but
change to 40 mph from Normandy through Mantoloking, then become 35 and 30
through Bay Head. He would like to have crossing guards at Bergen, Lyman,
Downer and Albertson. . Mrs. Fitzgerald would have lights at Lyman, Princeton
and Albertson. . . Richard Colton asks residents to e-mail and/or write to
the state and county and ask the speed be reduced on Route 35 and to
install another traffic light or two. . . Peter Flihan watches cars speed
along Barnegat Lane and reiterates his request for a 4-way stop sign at Lyman
and Barnegat Lane. He also appeals to property owners to cut back their bushes
and high grasses which obscure vision along Barnegat Lane. . . Mr. Fitzgerald
had questions about the land use and the use of pavers on his property.
Anne Benedict is planning to publish a photographic history of Mantoloking.
She is looking for pictures to include in her book, and if you have that special
unknown photo of Mantoloking in your album, she would love to borrow it. She
can be reached at 295-9337, or 1334 Bay Avenue.
All members were present at this Council Meeting except Councilman Laymon
who had been excused.
The Mantoloking Police reported 200 incidents for the July reporting period,
including leaving the scene of an accident, assisting other agencies, burglary,
fire alarms, boat stops, animal complaints, first aid calls, suspicious persons,
etc. Chief Garon said the investigation of Casie Kerr's fatal car crash determined
it was a tragic accident; no speeding or reckless driving had occurred.
In July, the Fire Company responded to 19 fire calls, had 3 training drills
and one business meeting. There were 2 kitchen fires, a grill fire, a transformer
explosion, 2 car fires, an electrical fire, a basement flooded, the Mantoloking
Bridge stuck, a smoke smell, and lots of alarms sounding.
CFO Crelin reported beach badge sales were down by 192 badges in July and
so far are below August of last year. But enough badges have been sold to
equal the amount anticipated for the 2000 budget. He also stated that the
tax rate from Ocean County increased .031 cents in 2000. The County budget
is up a hefty $304,816.79. Also, the County doesn't give us any credit toward
our total assessed valuations. CFO Crelin and Tax Assessor Anderson are working
with the Mayor to get the methods used by the County changed.
Visa and MasterCard are now accepted for most payments to the Borough, but
the card must be swiped through the machine. A web site is being created to
accept payment, but will not be up and running until some time in 2001.
The July Council meeting was packed with many oceanfront property owners who
objected to the 100 foot minimum lot requirement, thus making their 70 foot
lots non-conforming. Many of these residents were puzzled because The Reporter
had not informed them of this change. This editor was accompanying her grandson
to an Opti regatta in Maine on July 17th, thus no July Reporter. But the June
Reporter did mention that Ordinance #399, the introduction of the Land Use
Ordinance amendment, was passed by title only. Very few residents attend Council
meetings except when their ox is being gored. Changing the dog ordinance brought
so many people, it was standing room only. It is the position of The Reporter
to inform of ordinances coming up, not the details. Interested residents are
encouraged to ask Borough Hall for copies of ordinances for their own information.
And attend a meeting once in a while; they are usually sort of dull, but you'd
avoid a blindside!
In old business, Council passed a resolution which provides for the rescission
of the introduction of the proposed amendment to Land Use Ordinance #399.
Ordinance #423 providing for the replacement of the bulkhead at the northern
end of Lagoon Lane for a sum not to exceed $40,000 and appropriating said
sum from the Capital Improvement Fund was passed. The project will start in
the fall.
Ordinance # 424 amends Ordinance #415 which provides for the amendment to
the flood damage prevention ordinance required by the State of New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection was passed by title only. To stay in
the flood program, there will be changes to the bay and beachfront properties.
This new flood package will be explained at the September 18th Council meeting.
The following resolutions were passed:
a. The hiring of part-time seasonal employee and fixing her
compensation;
b. Approving additional paid sick time for Superintendent William
Heckman;
c. Providing for employee contracts for Special Police Officers;
d. Adopt the Volunteer Tuition Credit Program (for the Mantoloking
Fire volunteers);
e. Approve a contract for Fixed Asset Management and Valuation by
Moore Industries, Inc.;
f. Adopt Corrective Action Plan for 1999 Municipal Audit; and
g. Appoint Municipal Court Violations Clerk, Sandra
Maidling.
Councilman Jones reported the dunes were back and they are growing due
to all the rain we‚ve had this summer.
Councilman Popaca said that the Borough Fire and Police vehicles are utilizing
the Pt. Pleasant Beach facility for fuel. It is working well.
The Borough expects a 16% increase in the price of natural gas. Also, if you
are experiencing funny color and quality of your water it may be
your problem. If, however, your neighbors are too, it could be a problem of
the water company.
Councilman Husted said there will be no additional funding for renourishment
for anywhere. The feasibility study should be completed by the end of 2000;
there is no money for the engineering study. He will meet the new head of
the Corps of Engineers soon.
Council went into closed session. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04.
The next Council Meeting will be September 18th at 8:00 pm.
In closed session, Council decided to write a letter to the State Department
of Transportation to ask them to lower the speed limit on
Route 35, to place more traffic lights in Mantoloking, and to install a delay
phase at the Herbert Street traffic light.Council also resolved to
purchase a key card door lock system for Borough Hall and the Police Department.
Mayor Dunbar's Office Hours: Fridays from 10 to 12
For sale: Mantoloking Flag, 18" x 24", $15.00, at Borough Hall
Please let us know if your listing in the Mantoloking Directory is correct, if you would like to continue to be listed as your are, or as "Harrison, Jasmine and Jaspe", or another manner. Write, call 732 899-2386 or e-mail cwilder@idt.net.
