New Government Plan Proposed In Holmdel

HOLMDEL, NJ — The Holmdel Charter Study Commission's official recommendations were announced at a special meeting on Thursday, and the suggestion to eliminate the Holmdel Township Committee form of government was made.

The commission unanimously recommends to voters that the current form of government should be replaced with a Council-Manager form. The new Council-Manager form, while being similar to Holmdel's traditional structure, has some key differences.

The new form would have a significant change in who controls the town; on a daily basis, it would no longer be the governing body. The council will have to appoint a new municipal manager who will oversee the day-to-day administration of the town in accordance with the council's will and intent.

Unlike the current 2/3 requirement or 4 votes, the manager can be removed by a simple majority of 3 votes of the council.

Another difference is that, under this new structure, residents would be able to introduce a local ordinance or reject an ordinance passed by the council through a petition process known as “initiative and referendum.”

One of the similarities in this proposed government is the continuation of a weak mayor with little authority. The mayor will still preside over council meetings and vote alongside other council members, but he or she will now be elected directly by voters.

Elections would be held on a nonpartisan basis under this structure, similar to the current elections for members of the Holmdel Board of Education.

The final step is to draft a written report, which will be approved and signed by all five commissioners before being formally filed with the Township Clerk.

Residents of Holmdel will then vote in a referendum on whether to approve or reject the commission's recommendations.