Holmdel Invites Citizens to Volunteer for Advisory Councils and Boards

On Tuesday, January 3, the Holmdel Township Committee will hold its annual reorganization meeting at 6 p.m.

At that time, the 5-member Township Committee will welcome Committeeman Greg Buontempo, who is taking the chair vacated by Committeeman Rocco Pascucci. The governing body, made of four Republicans and one Democrat, will elect one member from within the group to serve as mayor. 

Also at the meeting, the Township Committee will announce their appointments to volunteer positions on town committees and advisory boards. To be considered, citizens must submit an application in advance. Some of the groups require participation at as few as four quarterly meetings, and some meet monthly.

The newly appointed mayor gets to name volunteers to the Planning Board, Zoning Board and Environmental Commission, according to Township Clerk Maureen Doloughty.

Here is a list of last year's appointments. 

The deadline is Dec. 31 to indicate your interest to the Township Committee with resumes or letters of interest for the following positions, to be filled in 2012. They are listed below.

Agricultural Advisory Committee
The Committee reviews applications for farmland preservation and active in all aspects of Township farmland projects. The Committee will review farm leases with regard to cover crop and report to the Township Committee on the condition of the fields.

Bayonet Farm Committee
This group is charged with the maintenance and programming at Bayonet Farm. They will also help oversee the capital project being completed at the farm for catering/event space. They meet once a month, but also run various events throughout the year.

Board of Health
The Board shall administer and enforce all health ordinances of the Township now in effect. They meet approximately 8 times a year.

Cool Cities Committee Green Team
Research and recommend environmental ‘go green’ policies. The committee will identify specific measures that the Township can take to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, and protect the environment.

Economic Development Committee
To conduct a study and survey of the opportunities of the Township for the development and expansion of business enterprises; analyze the various business trends of the nation with a view to ascertaining the types of enterprises best suited to the economy and social improvements of the Township; promote the advantages of the Township for business settlement; encourage the expansion of existing businesses to the best interest of the Township; prepare, develop and distribute any and all types of material and information advertising the advantages of the Township to new industry; recommend to the Township Committee and to the Planning Board desirable and suitable areas within the Township for the location of business enterprises.

Environmental Commission
To conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. The Commission shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas, and may from time to time recommend to the Planning Board and to the Township Committee plans and programs for inclusion in the Municipal Master Plan and for the development and use of such areas. This involves monthly meetings.

Financial Advisory Committee
Reviews the financials of the township and makes recommendations to improve revenues. They will also help to review budget expenditures. This committee meets intermittently.

Open Space Advisory Council
Reviews and recommends parcels of land to be included in the Open Space Plan, to recommend acquisition and preservation of lands within the Township of Holmdel, and to undertake such other activities as are authorized hereafter; Foster and promote the preservation of open space within the Township; Help create and disseminate information promoting open space preservation. This committee meets quarterly.

Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
This board meets six times a year on Tuesday evenings. They are charged with overseeing the recreation activities offered by the township as well as field usage and fees.

Planning Board
To make, adopt and amend a Master Plan for the physical development of the municipality pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28; To administer the provisions of the subdivision and site plan provisions of this chapter; To approve conditional use applications; To participate in the preparation and review of programs or plans required by State or Federal law or regulations; To assemble
data on a continuing basis as part of a continuous planning process; To consider and report to the governing body within thirty-five (35) days after referral of any proposed development regulation submitted to it pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-26a and to pass upon other matters referred to it by the governing body pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-26b; In reviewing applications for approval of subdivision plats, site plans or conditional uses, the Board shall have the power to grant variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-60 and 40:55D-70c with the same power to grant, to the same extent and subject to the same restrictions as the Board of Adjustment; To perform such other advisory duties as are assigned to it by ordinance or resolution for the aid and assistance of the governing body or other municipal agencies or officers; To review and make recommendations on such matters as the location, character or extent of capital projects in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-31 to the governing body or other public agency having jurisdiction on capital projects necessitating the expenditure of public funds. They meet bi-monthly.

Recycling and Solid Waste
This committee meets intermittently and reviews the township policies on recycling as well as review contracts for recycling. Meetings are as needed.

Shade Tree Committee
To review planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery now located or which may hereafter be planted in any public highway, public park or public lands owned or under the jurisdiction of the Township of Holmdel, including the planting, trimming, spraying, care and protection thereof. To encourage the planting of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery throughout the Township of Holmdel on public and on private property and to assist the various public boards, bodies and agencies of the Township in their efforts with regard to the encouragement of planting shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery. They meet monthly.

Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
This committee meets monthly. They review traffic conditions and make safety recommendations. They also review the need for bike paths, and pedestrian cross walks.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
The Zoning Board of Adjustment consists of seven regular members and two alternate members, all of whom shall be residents of the Township of Holmdel and all appointed by the Mayor. Regular members shall serve for terms of four years, and alternate members shall serve for two years, all from January 1 of the year of their appointment. The Board of Adjustment shall have powers to: Hear and decide appeals pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70a.; Hear and decide requests for interpretations or decisions upon other special questions pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70b.; Grant upon application or appeal, relief for variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70c.; Grant variances to allow departure from regulations pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d.; Where the Planning Board cannot act on an application because it does not involve a subdivision, site plan or conditional use, direct issuance of a permit for a building or structure in the bed of a mapped street or public drainageway, flood control basin or public area reserved on the Official Map and direct issuance of a permit for a building or structure not related to a street. They meet bi-monthly.

All applicants are asked to kindly fill out a Volunteer Appointment Form. Please forward the completed application to mdoloughty@holmdeltownship-nj.com or send to Township Clerk, Township of Holmdel, PO Box 410, Holmdel, NJ 07733, or faxed to 732-946-0116 by December 31, 2010.

Download the Application for Volunteer Appointment attached to this article.