It was a busy and exhilarating summer in Holmdel, but as the leaves begin to change it’s an indication that the there’s more fun and festivities in store for the entire family.
Which brings me to Harvest Fest. What an incredible day of family fun this was! We’re estimating that more than 6,500 people came out to enjoy an event highlighted by great local food and craft vendors, face painting, bounce houses and pony rides for kids, and of course a screening of the fall favorite It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Thank you to everyone who joined us at Bayonet Farm, and a very special thanks to our team of Township employees who helped make the day possible.
Before we go any further, I’d like to take care of a little housekeeping.
School is back in session, so to local drivers everywhere, please be mindful of those children and parents on neighborhood walking routes, as well as the adjusted speed limits near schools while children are present.
Recycling pickup has been a hot topic of discussion of late, specifically because some residents are not having there’s collected. Please be aware that both the State of New Jersey and the County of Monmouth have mandated that recyclables are to be left loose in their containers. Any recyclables contained in a plastic bag and left in a curbside container will not be collected. Plastic bags damage machinery at recycling centers.
Back to the festivities!
I know it’s a little early to look ahead to the holidays, but when stores began stocking their shelves with lights and decorations in August, it became difficult not to look ahead. I admit that I’ve gotten caught up in the spirit, so I’ll take this opportunity to invite you all to our annual Christmas tree and Menorah Lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. outside the municipal building.
And let’s not forget about preparing our traditional holiday meals. If you’re hosting this year for the first time or just need to sharpen your skills, our recreation department has you covered with a couple of festive cooking classes. Coming to the Holmdel Community Center Thursday, Nov. 15 is a “Thanksgiving Delights” cooking class. Following that event will be a “Christmas Celebration” class to be held Thursday, Dec. 13. Both classes run 12:30 to 2 p.m. and registration is $15 for Holmdel residents.
But before we get ahead of ourselves with the holidays, it’s important to reflect on all the wonderful things that have happened in recent months.
I need to wish Officer John Allen a happy retirement after 19 years with the Holmdel Township Police Department. John joined the department in 1999 where he served as a member of the Honor Guard and President of the PBA. He was also a firearms instructor, a background investigator and an undercover officer with the Bayshore Task Force. The community wishes John and his family a lifetime of happiness and success.
In the same breath, congratulations are in order for Maureen Doloughty, who after 31 years with Township of Holmdel has decided to step away from her post as the Township Clerk and enter a well-deserved retirement. Thank you for everything Maureen. You served our community with great dedication and integrity, and we wish you nothing but great health and happiness in the next phase of your life.
As a resident of this town I am very thankful to have such a reliable team at the helm, including Township employees like Maureen and our honorable emergency. From our police and fire departments, to our EMS and OEM personnel, I speak on behalf of our entire community when I express my sincerest thanks for all that you do.
With that in mind, in cooperation with our emergency response units, Township officials and the governing body are taking steps to ensure that the future of Holmdel is one that is safer and more secure than it ever was before.
At the May 22 Committee meeting, the governing body commissioned a study of the Fire Department Master Plan by Dr. Harry R. Carter, PH.D. Carter began collecting data and reviewing information about our fire safety personnel, equipment and procedures in August. In his final report, Carter will make recommendations to the Committee about upgrades and improvements for our systems and facilities. A draft of the study is due to be submitted to the Committee in November. A final report is expected to be completed and delivered to the public at a meeting date in December.
Continuing the theme of improved public safety, Township officials and the governing body have been working closely with the Holmdel Township Police Department since 2015 to address residents' concerns about the four-way intersection of Holland Road, Telegraph Hill Road, Takolusa Drive and South Holland Road. Beginning in 2016, the Police began an aggressive enforcement initiative at the intersection, which has cut annual documented motor vehicle accidents by more than half over the last four years. We have also moved to install radar devices to slow down traffic traveling through the intersection. More improvements are still to come.
As well as safety improvements, the Township and Committee have taken action to improve our community’s recreational facilities. Through recent conversations with local user groups like the Holmdel Youth Athletic Association (HYAA), we have decided to table the recently introduced Phillips Park improvement project for more cost-effective and efficient options focused on refurbishing and repurposing existing fields around town, rather than constructing a new complex at Phillips Park. This new course of action is a great compromise of ideas, and speaks to the importance of communication and teamwork between residents and government.
Finally, I would also be remiss if I did not recognize Holmdel High School alum Julia Hamwi, who was the guiding force behind our new “Welcome to Holmdel” signs that have started to spring up around town. Julia began working on this project with the governing body during her sophomore year. Her vision came to fruition in August with the placement of the first sign on Newman Springs Road. In September the Township placed its second welcome sign on State Route 35 in October. It’s important to note that more signs are going up, and sponsorships for these signs are available. What’s truly special about these sponsorships is that, as well as covering the cost of production, a significant portion of the funding acts as a donation to support our community’s emergency responders. Thank you to our initial sponsors, Holmdel Funeral Home and Patricia’s of Holmdel. For more information please contact Communications Director Chris Rotolo at crotolo@holmdeltownship-nj.com.
Thank you all for an incredible summer, and on behalf of the governing body and the Township of HoImdel, I’d like to wish you a very happy holiday season.
-Mayor Tom Critelli