Road, Park Improvements Derailed Following Holmdel Committee Vote

HOLMDEL, NJ - A bond ordinance proposing road improvements to over 20 municipal roads as well as police department and EMS building renovations was defeated at the latest Holmdel Township Committee meeting, garnering only three “yes” votes instead of the required four to adopt.

Alongside other projects such as the Newman Springs Road and Cross Road crosswalk installation, Bethany Road intersection improvements, an Indian Hill School crosswalk installation, public safety technology and information technology equipment, the $2.81 million bond ordinance for capital improvements also aimed to improve facilities at township recreation sites such as Allocco Park, Bayonet Farm, Ackerson Park and the Holmdel Swim Club.

Here is a breakdown of the proposed capital projects, according to the meeting agenda:

• $1.682 million for road improvements
• $600,000 for police department locker rooms and emergency services building capital improvements
• $213,000 for public safety equipment
• $160,750 for IT equipment
• $102,5000 for Allocco Park, Bayonet Farm, Ackerson Park and Swim Club improvements
• $52,720 for public facility improvements

During the July 13 meeting, Mayor Greg Buontempo, Deputy Mayor Cathy Weber and Committeeman Prakash Santhana voted “yes,” while Committeemen Tom Critelli and Domenico Luccarelli voted “no" on the motion to adopt. Both critics on the committee noted that they believe more should be done for Holmdel’s recreation needs - specifically for a turf field.

"I believe we should be doing more for the recreation community," Critelli said. "I'm a no on this ordinance."

"I also am a no on this because I feel like there should be some money in there for recreation," Luccarelli added. "It does look like there is a need for, or that they are requesting, a turf field. It's something that we've all wanted, we've all advocated for. I believe that we just can't keep kicking this can down the road."

However, proponents of the bond ordinance on the governing body argued that the legislation would greatly benefit public safety resources such as police and first responders, as well as Holmdel residents who regularly drive on old roads.

"[The police department] locker room is devastatingly embarrassing," Weber said. "It hasn't been touched since the 1970s, and I wouldn't put my dog in there, let alone a person ... it also supports the repaving of our roads, which our residents have said unequivocally is their highest priority. We have roads that haven't been repaved in 25 and30 years with significant potholes and damage to cars."

"This is sorely needed," Santhana said.

"Our road improvement program for 2021 is now in jeopardy. The people that thought they were getting their roads paved this year are not getting their roads paved," Buontempo added. “This failure [to adopt the bond ordinance] is going to affect a lot of people negatively."

Here is the full list of roads that were considered for 2021 paving improvements:

• Palmer Ct
• Mill Rd
• Duncan Dr
• Coventry Sq

• Carlisle Ct
• Ardmore Pl
• Algonquin Rd
• Crestwood Ct
• Clarendon Ct
• Green Leaf Way
• Regal Ct
• Clinton Ct
• Woodland Rd
• Chestnut Ridge
• Petit Ct
• Homestead Pl
• Deerfield Rd
• Mayfair Dr
• Crescent Rd
• Wedgewood La
• Merrie Mill
• Tilton Pl
• Roberts Rd
• Autumn Terr
• Arbor La
• Sections of Wood Hallow Dr
• Sections of Cindy La

Weber invited critics of the bond ordinance on the township committee to introduce a similar piece of legislation at a later date so that improvements could move forward.

Read the full meeting agenda here.

You can watch the full meeting below: