Vote On New Government Set For Summer In Holmdel

HOLMDEL, N.J.— Residents here will soon have a chance to vote on changes to their town's form of government.

The Charter Study Commission voted unanimously Thursday night to adopt its recommendations for a new form of municipal government and to hold a special election July 26 on the change.

Kin Gee, chairman of the commission, said the report is formally being filed with the Township Clerk on Friday and that will "start the wheels in motion" for the special election.

In brief, the commission will put a Council-Manager form of government before voters.

Gee said the group did not want to postpone voting on the question until the general election in November, with all its competing attention on local and state races. But it is required by state law to give the township at least 60 days to set up the special election, which will be in the form of a public question.

The public questions reads: "Shall the Council-Manager plan of the Optional Municipal Charter Law, providing for five council members to be elected at large for staggered terms at non-partisan elections held in November, with the mayor elected directly by the voters, be adopted by the Township of Holmdel?"

"Clearly there is a sense of urgency to this," he said.

He said if the change is approved, the first municipal election under the new system could take place this November.

Gee said that the commission wasn't out to "fix" anything in a township he described as "beautiful," but rather "modernize certain government features".

For instance, the new form of government, if adopted, would allow for the direct election of the mayor. It would include an initiative and referendum feature and hold elections on a non-partisan basis.

"I truly believe this will give more power to the people in terms of Holmdel residents and it will make a new local government more accountable and more responsive to the people," Gee has said.

Gee praised the members of the commission as bringing strong experience to the discussion.

"I am honored and proud to have served with all of the members," he said.

The commission in April, as part of Phase III of the three-phase plan, had discussed and reached a consensus on recommendations for a new form of government that Gee said is similar to the current Holmdel form but with reforms that give more power to residents.

The recommendations, which had been circulated in draft form already, include the following:

• Adopt the Council-Manager form of government
• Five Council members (including the Mayor) will be elected at large and not by wards — similar to the current Township Committee
• The Mayor will preside over Council meetings, vote with other Council members - again similar to the current Township Committee - but will be directly elected by voters
• Council members including the Mayor will be elected to serve a four-year term on a staggered basis every two years.
• A professional Manager will be appointed by the Council that will run the day-to-day administration of the town in accordance with the will and intent of the Council — very similar to the Township Administrator. The Manager can be removed by a simple majority (3 votes) of the Council – unlike the current two-thirds requirement or four votes.
• Elections will be held on a nonpartisan basis, similar to current elections for members of the Holmdel Board of Education. If they wish, candidates can campaign and make known their party affiliation.
• Residents will have the opportunity to introduce a local ordinance or to reject an ordinance passed by the Council through a petition process known as Initiative and Referendum.

Send local news tips to Pat McDaniel at patricia.mcdaniel@patch.com.