Merging Fire Departments Will Wait in Holmdel

A vote which would bring Holmdel's two fire departments under one leadership has been postponed, with no set public hearing date in the future.

Mayor Patrick Impreveduto told the Asbury Park Press that the township's Business Administrator Donna Vieiro needs more time to review the ordinance.

Impreveduto told Patch in early March that the amendment to its fire company ordinance would bring its two companies together administratively, but everything else will stay the same.

"It's going back to the way Holmdel used to be," Impreveduto said. "Nothing is really going to change, the companies will stay the same and the men will stay the same."

Newly appointed township Fire Chief Doug Ziemba, of Fire Company #1, would lead both Holmdel fire companies.

The proposed amendment has caused a rift between Fire Company #1 and Fire Company #2, as demonstrated in a blog post submitted by members of #2.

Timothy Satty of Company #2 told the Asbury Park Press members are glad the amendment has been postponed, and feels volunteers can work under the current organization structure.