Buontempo Reelected Holmdel Mayor, Santhana Deputy Mayor

HOLMDEL, NJ — Greg Buontempo was elected to serve one more term as Holmdel mayor during the township committee's reorganization meeting on Tuesday.

"I'm especially grateful for your confidence in me to service Holmdel Township once again," Buontempo said. "2021 seemed to pass very quickly, yet together we accomplished so much."

Buontempo nominated Prakash Santhana as deputy mayor. Santhana was sworn in after three committee members (Cathy Weber, Santhana and Buontempo) voted in favor, and incoming councilman Rocco Impreveduto and Luccarelli voted against.

The meeting was held virtually as opposed to recent ones, because of the recent spike in COVID-19 numbers.

"Due to the recent uptick in covid cases and out of an abundance of caution we chose to have this meeting virtually. Regardless, we are together in spirit," Buontempo said.

The mayor laid out some of his priorities for the upcoming year.

"Acquisition and preservation will be the foremost on our minds as we plan for 2022," Buontempo said. "Open spaces have intrinsic recreational, aesthetic, environmental and health values."

The mayor said that the pandemic had highlighted the importance of outdoor recreation on physical and mental health.

Stormwater management was another issue emphasized by Buontempo, who called back to the aftermath of recent storms like Ida.

"Holmdel was not immune. While we thankfully avoided loss of life, many properties and homes were damaged by floodwaters," he said. "Throughout the year we'll be working with our engineers and professionals to identify the best ways to manage and control our stormwater discharge, protecting people and property now and in the future."

Rocco Impreveduto, who won a seat in the Township Committee in November against Democrat Rahul Diddi, thanked his voters.

"I do want to take a moment to thank the people of Holmdel that voted me in. It's truly a privilege to serve," he said.

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Councilwoman Cathy Weber announced that Holmdel won a grant of $114,000 through the Monmouth County Open Space Grant Fund.

"This was a highly competitive effort and I'm very excited because this will be used to start our bike path that will ultimately connect the high school through Bell Works, through F&F Nurseries, through Bayonet Farm and to Village school and ultimately to Thompson Park and connect to Holmdel Park as well," she said.

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