The meeting was called to order by President Joe Marcianti. Also present were 1st Vice-President Lach Cameron, 2nd Vice-President Pamela Boright, Treasurer Alice Bass, Secretary Celeste Brockwell and Director Marie Lough. Absent was Director Ann Gorga who is in Florida.

Minutes were accepted as read with corrections made to last months minutes already noted.

Treasurer's report was accepted as read

Membership: Since delivery of the Newsletter a week ago, 125 memberships have already been received.

The annual internal audit report was accepted as presented.

The annual budget was presented and accepted as submitted.

Appointed as an Alternate Director, Ursula Marcianti, was approved unanimously.

Parking Committee representative for LVT reported that the 1st meeting had occurred. The short term goals were to identify parking issues and concentrate on a few issues that may be more easily accomplishable. Two residents on President Ave. e-mailed LVT to communicate their hardships as a result of having no driveway and being unable to park in front of their homes.
The committee wants to explore the need for designated parking for those with no driveways; the current practice of employees of business' using spaces that could be used by residents and the yellow painted curbing on corners that eliminates parking. The next meeting of the Committee will be at the end of February.

Scholarship criteria and applications are now posted on LVT's website. Three $500 scholarships are offered.

Municipal Report:

• Mixed recycling of paper began on February 6th. Receptacle must have a lid and weight limited to 40 lbs.
• Transfer of a liquor license for Gabriella's restaurant was on the agenda. Most of Gabriella's Restaurant is in Ortley Beach with a small portion of the property crossing over into Lavallette. They currently hold two liquor licenses and want to use the Lavallette license for the entire property. Lavallette was ultimately unable to hear the issue due to a conflict of interest. The owner of Gabriella's is the municipal prosecutor for Lavallette. The hearing was remanded to the Commissioner of the ABC. Lavallette's Planning Board opposed the use of the Lavallette license and the Lavallette Police Department would be unable to control the activities since a major portion of Gabriella's operation is in Ortley Beach.
• Minutes of some of the November municipal meeting were not approved since a few councilpersons disputed some of the items that were in the minutes.
• Borough plans to hire a part-time building inspector since the County is no longer providing this service since it was not cost effective and was being subsidized by the taxpayers. A building inspector needs to be in place by June 1st.
• One of the Borough's five wells needs to be rebuilt. Currently the Borough is operating on the use of three wells.
• No funding from the State is forthcoming for repairs to Rts. 35 No. and So.
• The Lavallette Police Budget was presented with an 8.5% increase requested for operation and salaries totaling around $1.5 million. In the capital budget for cars, SUV and computers $178,000 was requested. A six-step increase in police salaries would result in new officers being paid $91,143 plus overtime after six years in the police department. $65,000 was budgeted for overtime. The CAD system is outdated again-asking $100,000 for updated system. Also, funds for summer crossing guards were requested.
• The bus that the Borough leased from a resident who owns the bus-doesn't work.
• A portable ice rink that the Borough is looking to buy for a dollar from another municipality is in the works.

School report: The Board of Education has concerns about the State consideration of consolidation of small school districts.

Tape-recording of closed sessions of public bodies was discussed. LVT discussed and will send a letter to State legislators to seriously consider passing legislation requiring public bodies to tape-record closed sessions. It is important for the public to know on what basis elected officials make their decisions and a record of closed session discussions provides for this and accountability for their actions to the public.

Extending voting privileges to non-resident property owners was discussed. An inquiry was made by LVT to our State Legislator. No legislation is pending, but is introduced every year, but it never gets out of committee. This would allow persons who own property in multiple places to vote on local issues and in local elections. Right now, is akin to 'taxation without representation' for those who own, but do not live where they own property. The Legislature would have to change the law and the Constitution of NJ to allow non-resident property owners to vote. States such as Tennessee and Colorado do allow voting in local elections for non-resident property owners. More than 70% of our tax dollars come from people who don't live here-they should have something to say.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.