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

2. On a motion by Mrs. Plumfield and seconded by Mrs. McGowan, the minutes of October 5, 1999 were accepted with the correction that the time of the party on November 14 will be 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
3. The Colts Neck Calendar published a letter from Jim Pifer, who asks that the Township revise the new welcome signs which state that Colts Neck was settled in 1700. He claims that Colts Neck Township was incorporated in 1676, and that previously there were signs stating as much. As far as Mr. Kilbride has been able to establish with complete certainty, the geographical area of Colts Neck was settled approximately 1700. The word "settled" was deliberately chosen, as arguments still exist regarding the exact year the first home was built within what are the current Township boundaries. Parts of Freehold Township, Middletown Township and Shrewsbury Township were incorporated as Atlantic Township in 1847, and the name was changed to Colts Neck Township in 1962. Mr. Pifer may recollect seeing the 1676 date on Tinton Falls signs, as Shrewsbury Township was established in that year, and Tinton Falls later split from Shrewsbury Township.
4. Mrs. Trost announced that the historic properties plaques were shipped on October 29. Mrs. Burry sent a letter to each property owner inviting them to the Township Committee meeting for presentation, and Mrs. Furey sent hand-written invitations to the party on November 14. Mrs. Furey’ invitation included R.S.V.P., and she will call people to follow up for both invitations. Mrs. Furey and Mrs. Boylan will provide home baked refreshments for the party. An invitation will be extended also to Randall Gabrielan, who wrote the Colts Neck Township history for the "Image of America" series.
5. Mr. Kilbride has had the map enlarged to 30" x 40". The map will differentiate between eighteenth and nineteenth century properties. He is verifying dates on each property dating from 1800 to 1875. Many of the homes from the period on Route 34 and Clover Hill have been demolished. The maps can’t be completed before February. They will probably cost about $2.00 each to print.
6. Mrs. Joline reported that at the last meeting of theArchitectural Review Committee it was suggested to the developer of Rancho Polo that they make a greater effort to blend in with the existing community. The developer has returned with plan alterations using more natural materials and substituting red brick for white brick.
7. Mrs. Trost hasn’t heard from the flag designer, Michal Sparks. She asked Michal’s husband to call her. If there is no word by the end of this week, Mrs. Burry will look for another designer.
8. Mrs. Piotrowski reported the findings of the Centennial Celebration Fact Finding Committee. The Committee does not recommend a tricentennial celebration due to uncertainty of the exact date of homesteading in the Township area. They recommend a one weekend celebration of the history of the Township, possibly a "Founders’ Weekend Celebration," on May 19, 20 & 21, 2000. Among the activities might be house tours with costumed hostesses, games, civil war encampment, fashion show, concert, skits, candlelight tours, and participation in the Memorial Day Parade the following weekend. The high school could contribute skits and music. The third grade curriculum includes the history of Colts Neck and they might provide historical display and publicity.

Mrs. Burry felt that the use of the word "founders" would have the same implication as "settled" or "established." She, therefore, recommended considering a different phrase. There would be no commercial component. Mrs. Burry asked for a projected budget by next month. It would go into the Township budget as a line item. There would be a charge for house tours, and any revenues would go into general funds.

9. Meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 1999.

Respectfully submitted,

Secretary

Ellen Terry

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