Looking Back at 2008

DiMaso, Bateman promise to move Holmdel ahead

By SOMDATTA SENGUPTA

Published Jan 3, 2008

With two Democrats and three Republicans on the governing body, Holmdel Township reorganized for 2008 at noon on Jan. 1.

After a brief prayer offered by Dan Swift, pastor of St. Benedict’s Church, Holmdel, Republican Committeeman Rocco Pascucci proposed Serena DiMaso, a Republican, as mayor for 2008. Democrat Committeeman Larry Fink said former Deputy Mayor Janet Berk, also a Democrat, deserved the title of mayor.

Notably, Berk received 2,087 votes at the polls last November compared to 1,960 votes that were cast for DiMaso. However, with a 3-2 lead, DiMaso was officially elected mayor of the township. Shortly after, Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman, a Republican, was sworn in for a second term.

In her speech, DiMaso said that she was grateful to be able to serve Holmdel as mayor for three years in a row. She promised to continue to provide the leadership that the township deserved. After thanking her family for their support, DiMaso said she looked forward to bipartisan support from the committee in moving Holmdel forward.

DiMaso took credit for holding the line on taxes last year, road and recreation improvements in the township and continued commitment toward preserving open space. She thanked residents for coming forward to volunteer their time on several committees and said more participation and more voices make way for better management of township assets.

Bateman said that last year Republican leadership on the Township Committee had focused on reducing expenses and planning for the future. He noted property taxes were a major concern for Holmdel homeowners in the coming year and said the school board needs to take appropriate action.

“The schools need to be held accountable to the same standards that we in the township are held to. The Township Committee has invited the Board of Education to participate on the Financial Advisory Task Force so that we can work together to save money. To date they have not accepted our invitation,” Bateman said.

He added that another contributing factor is that the tax burden in Holmdel has shifted from commercial ratables to the homeowner. “If you look around, you see that Lucent is gone, there is vacant office and retail space,” he said.

Bateman called for making necessary changes in how the township is governed to make it easier to live and work in the township. He said that Holmdel has made a reputation for itself as a place not to do business. “We make it difficult for business with inconsistent and subjective requirements,” he said. Further, he said that homeowners “get treated poorly and with disrespect by the workers whose salaries they pay for through their tax dollars.”

Fink said that the Democrats would respect the wishes of township residents for bipartisan leadership on the committee and continue to work for preserving the quality of life in Holmdel.