Buontempo's Service To Holmdel Government Will Be Recognized

HOLMDEL, NJ — After many years of issuing proclamations to honor individuals, Committeeman and former Mayor Gregory Buontempo will be receiving one himself on Tuesday.

That's the last meeting of the year for the Holmdel Township Committee, and, among other agenda items, is one to recognize Buontempo for his many years of service on the governing body.

Buontempo has served on the committee for 12 years, including as mayor in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

When the time came to seek re-election this year, Buontempo decided to take a break.

"I'm taking a year off," he said in May, as candidates began to file nominating petitions.

And he said his decision was for personal reasons - not related to his political role.

In May, he reflected on the progress the township has made during his time in government, including his recent mayoral terms.

There is the library, relocated to a state-of-the-art space in Bell Works, for example, that is seeing more and more use by the public, hosting a variety of programs, he said.

He has actively supported an Author Talk program there that is seeing strong turnout, as with the recent talk by former Rutgers University football star Eric LeGrand.

He has noted completed capital projects in town, such as the new firehouse and pool club renovation, as well as tennis and basketball courts.

Then there was the successful challenge by Holmdel and several area municipalities to a JCP&L proposal for a high-voltage power line, he has pointed out.

The township, home to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center, has made veterans' concerns a priority with regular sessions with veteran groups, for example.

Part of Crawfords Corner Road was dedicated in 2022 to retired U.S. Army Gen. John H. Tilelli Jr., raised in Holmdel.

And there will be another recognition Tuesday - the presentation of the Holmdel Veteran of the Year Award to Robert Bliss.

You can read the Township Committee agenda here.