HOLMDEL — A vacancy exists on the five-member Township Committee in Holmdel following the resignation of Committeewoman Cathy Weber and a resident could be appointed to serve the remainder of Weber’s term, which runs through Dec. 31.
According to a message posted by Holmdel officials on Facebook, Weber resigned from the governing body during the June 14 meeting. Her resignation became effective on June 17.
The remaining members of the Township Committee are Greg Buontempo, Prakash Santhana, D.J. Luccarelli and Rocco Impreveduto.
According to the message that was posted, Weber will be moving out of Holmdel.
Weber won election to the governing body in 2019 as an independent candidate and was sworn into office in January 2020. She twice served as deputy mayor as selected by her fellow members of the Township Committee. The term she was serving is scheduled to end on Dec. 31.
According to information provided to the Independent by Municipal Clerk Wendy Patrovich, the filling of a municipal vacancy is governed by New Jersey’s Municipal Vacancies Law.
Under that law, “when a vacancy is created in the last year of the affected term, the seat may be filled for the rest of the term.”
In the case of the current vacancy on the Township Committee, that means the remainder of 2022.
“In the case of an independent officeholder (defined as an ‘incumbent whose office has become vacant [and who] was not elected to office as the nominee of a political party’), the vacancy may be filled by the Township Committee ‘within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy’ and ‘without regard to party.’ Thus, any eligible individual may be appointed to the vacancy regardless of party affiliation, provided they have the support of the Township Committee,” according to the information Patrovich provided.
The information went on to state that “in the event the Township Committee ‘fails’ or ‘declines’ to fill the vacancy within the 30-day period, (state law) states that ‘the office shall remain vacant for the remainder of the term.’ ”
During her tenure, Weber served as the Township Committee’s liaison to the Recreation Committee, where she was a supporter and champion of the swim club, as well as all of the Recreation Department’s events and programs, according to the message officials posted on Facebook.
Weber also served as the liaison to the Traffic and Bike Safety Committee (TABS). During her time working with that group the township initiated its new multi-use trail project, which will eventually connect Holmdel’s walking paths and bike paths throughout the township.
During her farewell remarks, Weber listed the projects, initiatives and accomplishments she was involved in during her time in office, including greater community participation in Township Committee meetings; reinstating dormant committees (TABS, Finance and Recreation); connecting seniors to the coronavirus vaccine in collaboration with the Community Emergency Response Team; clear and consistent communication with residents; supporting the community through the pandemic and keeping the township’s parks open; prioritizing maintenance of township facilities; the construction of a new fire station; the implementation of the Drive Boo and Bike Rodeo events; the restoration of local cemeteries; and the establishment of the bike/pedestrian path.
The Township Committee members presented Weber with a proclamation recognizing her service and a key to the township.
Weber thanked the volunteers of the community as well as the township staff and Holmdel Police Department.