In Attendance: Lillian G. Burry, Chairperson/Township Committee Liaison

1. Mayor Burry called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.

2. Mrs. McGowan offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Piotrowski, and passed unanimously, to accept the minutes of July 7.

3. Mrs. Burry reported that all four new Colts Neck welcome signs have been installed, on Route 34 and on Route 537. The sign near Hunt Road had to be placed east of Route 18, at the directive of the County Traffic Engineer, due to a profusion of other signs there. The choice of location of signs will be explained in the Mayor’s column of an up-coming newsletter. It was suggested that more signs be located, coming from Lincroft over the reservoir, on Route 520 coming from Marlboro; School Road coming from Marlboro; and on Dutch Lane Road. The suggestions will be considered and planned for in the 2000 budget.

4. The Wide Horizon (Sgroi) deed was hung on the wall of the meeting room in Township HillHill

   Hall by Mr. Kilbride and Mr. Burry.

5. Mrs. Trost ordered the historic site plaques from Mr. Moriarty. The art work should be ready for review by September 15 or 16, and the plaques completed in five to six weeks. They will cost about $50 each, plus an initial fee for the art work. Mr. Kilbridge suggested getting 35 plaques for the 1700s, and 25 plaques for the 1800s. Once the art work is completed, and initial plaques manufactured, an order should take less time for completion.

   The plaques will be awarded at a Township Committee meeting, probably in November, followed by a social for the recipients and Committee members. Mr. Kilbride has offered his home, as he did last January. Mrs. Burry asked Mrs. Boylan and Mrs.Furey to manage the festivities.

    

6. Mrs. McGarry reported that the Colts Neck Fair was successful despite the inclement weather on Saturday. Mrs. Boylan, Mrs. Furey, Mrs. McGowan, Mr. Piotrowski, Mrs. Plumfield and Mrs. Burry worked in the Committee’s booth. Mrs. Joline was rained out. The T-shirts sold well, but not the books. They seem not to be a county fair type of item.
7. At the Fair, Mr. Clarke met a Mr. Peterson who lives in Colts Neck and has a map collection of this area. Mr. Peterson is interested in Native American lore, and he says that an island in the middle of the Swimming River Reservoir is a Native American burying ground. Our guest, Mr. Cooley, disputed the burial ground concept. He said he was very familiar with the reservoir and has explored it many times.

Mrs. Plumfield has Mr. Peterson’s phone number, if needed to invite him to a meeting.

8. Mr. Piotrowski noted that next year is the 300^th anniversary of the settling of Colts Neck, and suggested a tricentennial festivity. Mrs. Burry request Mrs. Piotrowski to look into the possibility.

9. Mr. Kilbride reported that the map project is proceeding very slowly, but that he hopes to have it completed by November, and no later than January. He continues to locate more historic sites.
10. Mrs. Burry and Mrs. Joline reported on the status of the Commerce Bank application before the Architectural Review Committee. Mr. Dittmar had expressed extreme displeasure with the submission, and requested that the applicant return with their architect for further review, and hopefully revisions.
11. Mrs. Burry reported that she and Mrs. Trost have been working with Michal on designing and creating an official Township flag. Michal will attend the September 8 Township Committee meeting. She has also designed a popular-style flag featuring a barn-shaped bird house with a horse-shaped weathervane. An author and illustrator of children’s books, she will donate some of her books to the new library.
12. The Township has been granted a $630,000 state matching grant, and will receive only as much as is spent. Mrs. Burry will meet on September 8 with Martha Sapp of the Department of Environmental Protection, who will guide the Township through the process. There are three grant categories: historic preservation,;farmland and open space protection; and recreation. Mrs. Joline suggested that residents might prefer that the money be spent on something highly visible. For example, the Honey Shop in the village area is listing to one side and in very poor condition. The owner won’t commit to any action, but might be interested if approached by the Township. Mrs. Burry has gone on record in support of saving The Grange (the old library) as a community center. Holly Bush Farm is worth saving, but could cost more than the funds available to the Township, and the current trust ownership has pulled the property off the market. Mrs. Burry will speak with the County about a possible joint venture.
13. Mrs. Joline offered a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Trost.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Terry

Secretary

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