Holmdel Mayor Speaks On Potential Alternative Forms Of Government

HOLMDEL, NJ — Holmdel Mayor Greg Buontempo provided input on possible changes to the local government at the Holmdel Charter Study Commission meeting on Thursday.

Buontempo said at the virtual meeting that it did not make sense that Holmdel residents do not get to elect the mayor. "Our current system has led to chaos and confusion in Holmdel," he said. "Especially when an individual gets re-elected to the Township Committee but then is not re-elected as mayor. That controversy happened during my first selection as mayor in 2017.”

Buontempo added that he believed elections should be held less frequently so that elected officials can focus on getting things done for the community rather than campaigning.

Holmdel currently follows a closed process to elect a mayor. If the Township Committee is all from the same political party, the mayor will most likely be chosen by a political caucus that excludes the residents, Buontempo argued.

The Township Committee form of government makes it difficult for the township administrator to conduct day-to-day business outside of a Township Committee meeting, Buontempo added.

Edward Sasdelli, an expert from New Jersey's Division of Local Government Services, Department of Community Affairs, followed Buontempo and presented the various forms of local government allowable under the Faulkner Act.

The presentation emphasized that a mayor can be elected directly under the two most popular Faulkner forms of government.

Sasdelli said that elections can be partisan or nonpartisan under both the mayor-council and council-manager forms of government, both of which are available for consideration by the commission. Residents would also have the power of initiative and referendum by petition under those forms of government, Sasdelli said.

You can watch the recording of the meeting and download the presentation by Sasdelli on the Holmdel Charter Study Commission website.