New Holmdel Mayor Takes Charge For 2023

HOLMDEL, NJ — Domenico "DJ" Luccarelli was sworn in as mayor at Tuesday night's Holmdel Township reorganization meeting, following a vote among among the committee members. Committeeman Rocco Impreveduto was chosen as deputy mayor.

Both men were elected in a majority 4 to 1 vote from among the committee members, with a "no" vote on each by former Mayor Gregory Buontempo.

A large crowd was gathered at the Municipal Complex to see a full five-member committee seated for the first time in several months.

Brian Foster and Kim LaMountain, Republican candidates who defeated an Independent slate in November, were sworn into full, three-year terms on the committee.

You can see all the ceremonies of the evening on a video of the meeting.

State Assemblywoman Vicki Flynn administered the oaths of office to Luccarelli, Impreveduto and LaMountain. Foster was administered his oath of office by Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone. Foster has been serving an appointed term on the Township Committee since September.

Those who filled the meeting room included appointees to board and commissions in the township, who were sworn in as a group.

There were lots of warm conversations and a reception at the Senior Center after the meeting. You can see all of the appointments on the agenda here.

But the rift in the Republican party in town over the last few years emerged at times, even in what was overall a genial and businesslike forum.

Buontempo explained his "no" votes for mayor and deputy mayor when the roll was called. He said it was Township Committee protocol for each member to receive a core liaison department (Administration, Community Development, Public Works, Public Safety or Finance) to oversee in the township.

But he cited the agenda resolution that left him out of that role, although he is liaison to veterans affairs and the library. He said he felt that created a "bad precedent" in a committee made up of equal members. In that context, his was a no vote for Luccarelli as mayor.

When the vote came for deputy mayor he also voted no on the choice of Impreveduto to "reciprocate" for the no vote he received from Impreveduto last year for mayor. Luccarelli also voted no last year for Buontempo as mayor.

Buontempo and the Independents then on the committee, who have since resigned for business reasons, became aligned when Buontempo lost support from the regular Republican party in the county. Read more background leading up to the reorganization meeting here.

A year ago the Independents held the majority, made up of former Deputy Mayor Prakash Santhana and Committeewoman Cathy Weber along with Republican Buontempo.

Last night, the Republican party restored control.

“I’m excited for the year ahead and I am looking forward to leading the Township Committee in providing efficient services to our residents, ensuring the safety of our citizens and their property, and continuing to build strong relationships with our community partners,” Luccarelli said in his statement.

Impreveduto said in his statement that “over the past few months we have improved the committee’s relationship with the Board of Education and provided an official forum for our residents from diverse populations – we look forward to continuing this good work in the year ahead.”