Holmdel Mayor's Quarterly Report

Since the Township Committee entrusted me once again with the role of Mayor, our team has hit the ground running with a clear focus on protecting what makes Holmdel special: our environment, our excellent schools, and our quality of life.

We immediately and successfully addressed long-standing environmental issues at the former Vonage property at 23 Main Street by putting strict new conditions in the agreement. Central to this resolution is the installation of a force main to provide sewer service from Bell Works exclusively to the site, at NO COST taxpayers. This modern infrastructure eliminates decades of effluent discharge from the property’s outdated localized wastewater system, protects our local watershed, safeguards the Swimming River Reservoir, and ensures no negative environmental impact for future generations. By prioritizing responsible redevelopment over new sprawl, we are protecting our community’s health and natural resources. This solution is SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED to prevent use by any other developer – ensuring we preserve the rural culture of South Holmdel – and the plan will also provide walking trails, a new 7,000 sq. ft. Senior Center, and 5 acres donated back to the Township for a new Fire and EMS hub to the benefit of all Holmdel residents.

As a graduate of Holmdel High School, it’s been a priority of mine to rebuild the once-fractured relationship between our town and the Board of Education and contribute to our schools. Over the past three years, we have delivered on that promise – and this year will be no different. Since 2023, we paid approximately $1.4 million in school security costs, $600,000 for capital needs that defrayed the BOE’s costs for courtesy busing, nearly $400,000 for lights at Satz and Holmdel High School, and more than $85,000 in repairs to the Duncan Smith Theater. We also procured $3.5 million in grants to fix the chokepoint created at the high school entrance – undertaking and completing the project at a $1.5 million Township expense. And this year, we believe we can assist our schools once again. It is our intent to purchase the Lubkert house – which has ties to one of Holmdel’s founding families and currently sits in front of Holmdel High School. This purchase will provide another $1 million to our schools. A strong school system is the foundation of a thriving community, and we are proud to deliver record levels of support.

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And last, but certainly not least, we took bold action to minimize the impact of Trenton-mandated affordable housing on our township by executing a two-pronged strategy: (1) aggressively challenging the mandate through all available legal channels and (2) negotiating the mandate during those legal challenges. Simply put, we asked the courts to stop the unfair treatment of the suburbs, while maintaining a failsafe to minimize the damage Trenton’s mandates could do to our town. Our coalition of 25 towns took the case to the United States Supreme Court. Though the court declined to issue an injunction, our aggressive negotiations, strategic planning, and extraordinary team of lawyers, planners, and engineers reduced the new mandate by 20%. In doing so, we also REVERSED A PLANNED 170-UNIT development – approved by an earlier Holmdel Township governing body – to 80 units. We fought where fighting was necessary and negotiated where negotiation produced results. The hard work of our team prevented New Jersey from stepping in and taking control of development in Holmdel and minimized traffic, infrastructure, and public safety impacts on our town.

These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our staff and the input we receive from residents like you. Thank you for your continued support and for making Holmdel such a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

On a final note, I’d like to thank our outstanding DPW team for their tireless efforts to keep our town clear and safe during one of the harshest winters in recent memory. Their work, in conjunction with our extraordinary Office of Emergency Management, is a testament to the commitment we all have to this community.

I encourage you to reach out with any questions, ideas, or concerns. You can contact me directly at rimpreveduto@holmdel.gov or join me during my monthly Office Hours.

With gratitude,

Rocco Impreveduto

Mayor, Holmdel Township