MantolokingAugust 16, 2010 No. 432

Mayor Nebel opened the meeting promptly at 4:30 p.m.. All Council members and nine residents were in attendance. The minutes of the July meeting were accepted.

Councilman Witkowski moved four resolutions: to accept the report of the Municipal Finance Officer as of June 30th; to approve the payment of August bills totalling $1,750,857 ($1,350,000 to Ocean County); approve a tax refund of overpayment of taxes due to a tax appeal; and the acceptance of the 2009 municipal audit report. The state auditor complimented MFO Michelle Swisher. Next year the borough will face the two percent cap.

Councilman Gillingham introduced police Chief Wright who reported 262 incidents during July. Among them were four 911 calls, three animal complaints, 37 boat stops, ten borough ordinance violations, seven first aid calls, four thefts, etc.

Councilwoman Nelson moved five resolutions: approve an item of revenue, $4,000,000,under the caption of 2010 Clean Communities Grant; approve two appointments, plumbing subcode inspector and deputy plumbing subcode inspector at salaries of $4,000 a year and $25 an hour respectively; approve the sale of surplus municipal property; consider waiver of permit fees for Mantoloking participants in the fall 2010 “Project Graduation Committee of Pt. Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking Townwide Garage Sale Charity Fund Raiser” to be held on September 25, 2010 (rain date, September 26, 2010); and, approve an application for grant funds for old Bridge Street and Bay Avenue improvements from NJDOT.

The Mantoloking Fire Company responded to 32 fire calls, held three training drills and one regular business meeting in July. Twenty-two were fire alarms in Bay Head, Brick and Mantoloking and one CO alarm in Mantoloking. The other calls were for a brush fire, two standbys for structure fires in Brick, three gas leaks, two electrical fires, and a pole fire. Councilman Witkowski, also a fireman with the MFC said these were the most calls in one month ever, that we need able men and women to join the company. They work hard, yet have fun, too.

Councilman Strohm, at the suggestion of Walter Bray at the July council meeting, and with the dune inspector checked all dunes in the borough and the owners not complying with the Dune Ordinance were notified to shape up, fix up and comply with the ordinance.

Construction Official Wardell issued three permits as well as four updated ones during July, for plumbing fixtures, electric fixtures, deck repairs and an irrigation system.

Land Use Officer Marinaccio reported he received 18 applications in July. Thirteen were approved.

Councilman Brown of the Municipal Services Committee moved a resolution to adopt Ordinance #590, Regulation of the Collection of Recyclable Material. After a public hearing, the ordinance was passed. The ordinance will codify what is going on, what is dual stream and single stream recycling. There will be penalties for violations, and if a can or bottle is in the regular garbage, that container will not be picked up. If it is, the county will fine the contractor. The whole ordinance will be published on the web site, mantoloking.org.

The County is revisiting the hazardous waste issue, will find the money to continue the program to either pick it up or have a place to take it to, as it did in the past. It is unconscionable to think this stuff will end up in the bay.

Councilman Ness called upon Terri Alvator to update the progress of next year’s Centennial. As of July 1st, 203 replies, 38% of residents have donated $19,900 for the fireworks. The end date has been extended to August 23rd. You will be contacted again. The insurance issue will be discussed when plans are firm.

Mayor Nebel said property tax reassessments will be mailed September 7th, to take effect next January. . . .And, the state will start the repaving of the highway next September, 2011.

Terri Alvator asked about the Channel-Lagoon Lane repaving. It will be done. . . . Carol Leone spoke about the bicycle riding and jogging on East Avenue. It is out-or-control, no helmets on kids, double baby buggies in the middle of the street, no one pays attention and is annoyed when asked to move over. Chief Wright replied that parents must teach their children, yet the parents are as bad as the kids. The police do try to enforce the rules but they can do just so much. The situation is bad on Barnegat Lane as well. . . . Walter Bray chided council about tax increases in the last two years. Mayor Nebel disputed his numbers. . . . Joyce Popaca raised her concerns about the tax structure of our school merger. She is nervous that the powers that be in Pt. Beach are working behind the scenes to change the funding formula because that is what the platform for the man running for mayor is based upon. We are merged with Pt. Beach as Seaside Heights was merged with Central Regional and when the formula was changed for them, they had no vote in the matter. The talk in Pt. Beach is...."they want us to pay one million a student." Mrs. Popaca invited the council members to the next Board of Ed meeting, next Tuesday evening, August 24th, at 7:30 at Antrim Elementary School to listen to the vicious talk.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m. The next council meeting will take place on Monday, September 20, 2010.

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The Reporter is written and edited by Christine Wilder.