MantolokingApril 22, 2008 No. 404

The 23rd Spring Beach Sweep Clean-up Day is this Saturday, April 26th. Starting time is 9:00 a.m. on the beach at Downer. For your safety, wear gloves, sun screen, hard-soled closed shoes and dress for the weather.

The Mantoloking Fire Company is planning its July 4th-weekend breakfast for Sunday, July 6th. Ask any resident; it’s a tasty feast.

Mayor Nebel opened the Council meeting at 4:30. All members were present. The minutes of the March 17th meeting were approved.

Councilman Witkowski, Finance Committee Chairman, presented a resolution to accept the report of the Municipal Finance Officer as of February 29, 2008. It was accepted and passed.

Other resolutions: To adopt temporary emergency appropriations #2 (the State is late again;) payment of bills for April totaling $377,808; for late introduction of the 2008 budget due to “economic uncertainties of the day” (the State is late again;) introduction of the 2008 Municipal Budget. A hearing will be held May 19, 2008 when objections to the Budget and Tax Resolution may be presented. Copies of the budget are available at Borough Hall and it will be published in the Ocean Star, 5/2/2008.

Councilman Gillingham introduced Police Chief Wright who reported the police attended to 214 incidents for the period. The police and fire company saved a house on East Avenue because of their quick response to an active fire. He noted the recent theft of copper down spouts from several houses in the Borough. Call police if you notice unusual activity at empty houses.

Mr. Gillingham moved a resolution to introduce Ordinance #552 to purchase a replacement police utility vehicle for $40,000 authorizing the issuance of bonds and notes of $38,000 and appropriating $2,000 from the capital improvement fund. It was passed on first reading.

A resolution appointing thirteen seasonal employees at hourly wages from $9.00 to $12.00 was moved and passed. These employees are special class I and II police officers and beach badge sales personnel.

Resolutions concerning the appointment of officials, and approving inter-local services between the Borough and the County concerning driving-while-intoxicated checkpoints were passed.

Craig Symons reported on the Emergency Warning System Upgrade, relocated to provide a secure location and additional functionality to the system which “provides for a more reliable system, automated monitoring and fault reporting, as well as pre-recorded digital messages that will aid residents in the event of a real emergency or mandatory evacuation of the borough.” A test of the system is tentatively scheduled for Friday morning, May 2nd starting at 10:00 AM. Notification of this will be advertised and Ocean County Dispatch Center 911 will answer calls from “confused or panicked citizens.”

Councilwoman Nelson introduced bond ordinances #548, East Avenue road improvements; #549, Arnold Avenue revetment; #550, study and evaluation of the feasibility of uniform back bay bulkhead elevations and flood protection; #551, inspection and evaluation of sanitary sewerage force main as mandated by the US EPA and NJ DEP; #553, raising the municipal garage emergency generator; #554, remediation of the Bay Avenue lot; and #555,a surge suppression system for borough hall and the fire house; and #556, amending Ordinance #531, adopting a codification and revision of ordinances to provide for revision of sewer-charge provisions. The total cost is $380,000. The ordinances passed on first reading.

A resolution to award the contract for annual emergency storm response earth activities to RWV Land and Livestock for $98,315.92 (for two years) was passed. The five bids ranged from that low bid to $151,680.

Councilman Jones reported the beach and dunes are stable, that a beach report has been sent to all beach front owners. A review of beach protection and the Stockton study will be on the website. A proposal for self-funding of beach renewal and what options are available, how much sand and a way of getting sand would be in a feasibility study to cost $25,000. Councilman Witkowski asked if a permit would be necessary to do this, will the DEP allow the borough to proceed and what requirements will it demand. A resolution to provide a feasibility study for a borough-funded beach replenishment project was passed.

Councilman Ness moved the following resolution: Submission of the annual recycling report, annual tonnage report and application for 2008 tonnage grant, which was passed.

He introduced Joe De Amicis who updated the activities of the Environmental Commission. The MEC will provide a list of critical environmental issues to the Planning board,and will promote the following suggestions for spring fertilizer activities at the recommendations from Save Barnegat Bay.

“Think "Connected" Even if you don't live adjacent to the bay,your yard is connected to the bay. Everything you do, use and plant in your yard helps or hurts the bay. The runoff carries excessive nutrients and sediments into the streets and storm drains and then into the bay. So, please follow some very basic recommendations:
1. Don't use fertilizers, BUT if you do, specify and use "Organic" type fertilizers with a low first number of less than 10.
2. Fertilize only once in the spring and once in the fall
3. Use native plants, they don't require fertilizer
4. Never fertilize within 10 feet of the bay
5. Use natural alternatives to herbicides and pesticides
Let's start by changing "one thing" we do, and tell your neighbor, and he'll tell his neighbor..............” JDeA

The Mantoloking Fire Company responded to seven fire calls, held three training drills in addition to a regularly scheduled meeting of members. The company responded to one structure fire and six alarms, reported Fire Chief, Larry Gilman.

Land Use Officer Guldin’s report stated he received twelve applications in March and eleven were approved.

Construction Official Wardell issued twelve building permits in March and two updates, for renovations of bathrooms and kitchens, additions and interior alterations, new siding, furnace and air conditioning, decks, railings and new plumbing, etc.

Residents received a special notice that the Borough will conduct a curbside pick-up of “electronic recyclable items” on June 16th. Computers, mice, monitors, printers, stereos, TVs smaller than 32 inches, cell phones, fax machines, etc. Call the borough if you have questions, 732 899-6600.

Connie Pilling reminded residents the annual Barnegat Bay Festival will be June 1st at the Wanamaker Waterfront complex in Island Heights sponsored by the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program. This is where you can purchase native plants for your yard. . . Walter Bray asked what the tax rate will be. Mayor Nebel replied it is not figured as yet, but the Borough’s part will be about $.15 per $100.

Don’t forget Clean Sweep Beach Cleanup on Saturday, April 26th at 9:00 am.

The meeting was adjourned a little after 5:00 p.m.

The next Council meeting: May 19th at 4:30 p.m.

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The Reporter is written and edited by Christine Wilder.