[Editorial note – Please share and cross post this to family, friends and neighbors. If you wish to receive this as an email directly, please send an email to betterholmdel@yahoo.com.]
$5 Million Easter Egg for Holmdel Residents?
Update: April 18. 2019
April 17, 2019 – A surprising number of residents showed up at the re-scheduled Township Committee meeting on Tuesday morning, including one resident that joked that the Township should provide coffee and donuts if they are to schedule meeting at 9:00 AM. However, residents were treated to a pleasant surprise when Mayor Eric Hinds, Committeeman Rocco Pascucci and the rest of the Township Committeemen agreed to amend the 2019 budget to add $5 million for fire safety improvement and to increase the number of portable radios (which cost about $7,000 each) for EMS staff from 25 to 55 (increased from the 50 to 55 at the request by Committeeman Michael Nikolis and a motion from Committeeman Pascucci).
Fire Safety Improvements
The $5 million will likely come from a bond issuance and will go towards either renovating the existing fire station at Crawfords Corner Road or the construction of a new one on the old F&F Nurseries on Roberts Road. Township Administrator Donna Viero indicated hat she will contact the architect and will have renderings and cost estimate for both options so that the Township Committee can make its decision. In either case, the Township would not pursue the idea of a “free” firehouse at Bell Works in exchange for allowing the developer to build 195 small 1-bedroom apartment units.
Committeeman Pascucci also requested to add at least $400,000 to the Fire Department operating budget so that they can hire a small number of paid staff to provide coverage during the day when there very few volunteer firefighters available. Since we are already in the middle of April and any new hires would not likely start until June, it was agreed by the Township Committee to add an amount of $275,000, the amount of the remaining budget cap, for such a purpose. There was a brief discussion of whether such a move would upset existing volunteer firefighters. Committeeman Pascucci said that he sat down with Holmdel Fire Chief David Farrell to discuss the proposal, indicated that existing volunteer would get first preference to be hired and, as a result, received the Fire Chief’s support. In some ways, this could be seen as a “career move” allowing the recruitment of volunteers and the opportunity to move into a paid position when the opportunity opens up.
Committeeman Greg Buobtempo also mentioned that they added $500,000 last year for a fire truck that was not used and should be rolled over to this year since there is a need for a second ladder fire engine in addition to the replacement fire truck that is already agreed to.
In general, residents that attended the Township Committee meeting heaved a sigh of relief that the long overdue improvements in fire safety may be happening. Obviously, getting the money in the budget is a huge first step and most residents are grateful to Mayor Hinds, Committeeman Pascucci and the rest of the Township Committee for adding the needed money to the 2019 budget. Several residents thank the Township Committee for this commitment during the public comment session. The key now will be the action steps that the Township will take in the coming weeks to follow through on the plan.
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda items were approved except that one resolution involving membership in certain cooperatives was set aside for discussion. Committeeman Pascucci wanted clarification that the ratification of membership in the cooperatives does not mean proposals can be pursued without approval from the Township Committee. This concern appears to relate to the fact that two resolutions for $2 million artificial turf field + lighting made a surprising appearance on the original agenda and was removed from the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. In addition to Committeeman Pascucci, two other residents raised concerns and asked questions about how a $2 million expenditure, especially one that is for a controversial artificial turf field proposal, can be included in the Consent Agenda, which is reserved for routine items and is voted on as one package with no discussion or comments. No one was able to provide a satisfactory answer when the questions were raised.
2019 Budget
It was announced that Jeanette Larrison, Holmdel’s Chief Financial Officer, had resigned and William Antonides, Jr. is appointed as interim Chief Financial Officer. While fire safety and artificial turf field grabbed most of the attention, the 2019 budget has gone under the radar and was “read” by title only. Unlike prior years, no budget workshop has been scheduled. So, it appears that Holmdel residents will only see the 2019 budget in the final form when it appears on the agenda for approval.
COAH
In response to a question during the public comment session, Holmdel Administrator mentioned that the Judge approved the affordable housing plan ("COAH") as presented at the fairness hearing on April 4, 2019. The next steps will be the zoning variances as required under the settlement agreement.