CHRIS KELLY A Long Branch fireman salutes while Jean Hughes sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the Monmouth County Prayer Service Saturday held for the uniformed personnel who lost their lives in the World Trade Center tragedy.

The LBPD has received four phone calls originating from the city in the past week reporting suspicious mail. Upon investigation, authorities have said the reports are false alarms. Public Safety Director Lou Napoletano has said that many people are feeling panicked which generates such reports. Although the letters were false alarms Napoletano still advises residents and business owners to follow all precautions.

The LBPD investigated a call Oct. 12, from the Monmouth Medical Center of an Eatontown man who came to the hospital holding a plastic bag which contained powder. That too turned out to be a false alarm.

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It will soon be time for trick-or-treating once again, but with city and borough curfews, it would be wise to get your candy before 8 p.m. or else you would have to be walked through the neighborhood with a parent in tow. In Long Branch, the curfew for anyone under the age of 17 begins Oct. 29 through Oct. 31 from 8 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. In an effort to protect all from roaming goblins and ghosts, the public safety director will be enforcing the policy strictly under the direction of the city’s mayor. In Oceanport, police will be enforcing the policy for only two days to children beginning Oct. 30 through Oct. 31. Officials say it’s OK to bang on doors demanding candy if Mom, Dad or a guardian are with you after 8 p.m.

CHRIS KELLY The Ocean Place Conference Center and Resort Spa, Long Branch, is adding an addition. Above, construction workers install the framework for the roof.

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In Oceanport, Mayor Gordon Gemma met with officials of Fort Monmouth who advised the mayor that Oceanport Avenue should be open by Nov. 21. The Fort is in the process of fencing off petroleum storage sites. Residents living on Horseneck Road will need to pass through a checkpoint area.

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Oceanport council reported that some work is in progress behind Monmouth Corporate Park. The park is installing five light poles which will lighten the area, just in time for the days of shorter daylight. According to the council, Oceanport residents adjoining the corporate park are in favor of the extra lighting.

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The reconstruction of Main Street in Oceanport is on schedule for Nov. 5, election week. A separate road improvement plan will be submitted by the council to the Chief of Police and the Department of Transportation for traffic review. Because the project will be done in phases, portions of Port-Au-Peck Avenue, Mohican Avenue and Horicon Avenue may be closed — traffic will be rerouted.

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Harvest Day in the city of Long Branch is Oct. 20. The event is being hosted by the United Neighbors Inc., from noon to 3 p.m. at the Slocum Park located next to the library on Broadway. Pumpkin painting will be limited to the first 400 people. The event will highlight face painting, sand art, pony rides and a magician, "the Amazing Ed," will perform at 1:30 p.m. People are asked to bring nonperishable food items for the Long Branch Food Pantry.

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Clean Ocean Action will be holding its annual fall beach sweeps Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call (732) 872-0111 for a Long Branch meeting point.

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The proposed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex commuter rail line will be presented and discussed at the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Fifth Wednesday Squire’s Pub Luncheon in West Long Branch Oct. 31. Tickets are $25 and an advance payment is requested.

For more info call the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism at (732) 431-7470.

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A debate between the candidates for Borough Council in West Long Branch could be in the offing.

Mayor Paul Zambrano, the Democratic municipal chairman, and Councilman Joseph DeLisa, the municipal vice chairman and campaign manager for the two Democratic candidates for council, have sent a letter to Tom Kline, the Republican municipal chairman, and the two GOP candidates for council, proposing a debate for 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Squire’s Court, formerly Squire’s Pub, on Monmouth Road. DeLisa said they deliberately selected a neutral site, the restaurant, rather than Borough Hall or another municipal location.

The Democratic candidates are Councilman William R. Deisinger, who is seeking re-election, and Tina Munson. The Republican candidates are Councilman Joseph C. Woolley, who is seeking re-election and Barbara Paskin.

None of the Republicans had received the letter proposing the debate at press time. Paskin said she would have to discuss the matter with Woolley, whom she could not immediately reach, before making a decision on participating.

"I have no problem with debating,’’ Paskin said, "but they say there are no issues so I don’t know what we would be debating."

DeLisa said the budget was one issue the Democrats would like to discuss.

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Monmouth University will hold its annual candlelight dinner, slide show and tour of historic Woodrow Wilson Hall on the college’s West Long Branch campus Oct. 26. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in the Versailles room, followed by the slide show presentation at 7:30 p.m., and a tour of the entire building will be led by Professor Arie van Everdingen.

Tickets are $35 and seating is limited. To make reservation, call the university’s office special events and programs at (732) 571-3509.

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The Eatontown Police Department is conducting a dog census. Patrolman Dennis J. Connelly said two civilian employees — Alex Riveroll and Javier Cuban — are in the process of canvassing all homes in the borough to record the actual number of dogs that live in town. He said both employees will be wearing a uniform and have a photo identification card issued by the police department.

Connelly reminded dog owners that all dogs over the age of 7 months must be licensed by Jan. 31 of each year. He asked anyone who has a dog that has not been licensed this year to get a license immediately to avoid the issuance of a summons.

To obtain a license, Connelly said, the dog owner must present written proof of a current rabies vaccination along with a completed application from the borough clerk’s office at 47 Broad St. Applications for dog licenses also can be downloaded from the Eatontown Police Department Web site at 222.eatontownnj.com.

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The Monmouth Friends of the N.J. Symphony Orchestra will offer a free lecture at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center to members and friends by composer Gilman Collier on DeFalla’s "Nights in the Gardens of Spain, as a preview of the NJSO concert at the Count Basie Theatre Oct. 27. The lecture will take place at 8 p.m., Oct. 23. The Cultural Center is at 128 Ocean Ave. in Monmouth Beach.