HOLMDEL, NJ —Deputy Mayor Prakash Santhana resigned from the Township Committee, effective Friday, a move he said he was sad to announce but necessary for business reasons.

Santhana, elected as an Independent to the committee in 2019, had recently withdrawn his re-election bid, citing business restrictions. But he now will not continue through the remainder of his term. The resignation is effective at the end of the day Friday, Sept. 16.

Santhana spoke at what was to have been a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday to name the township administrator and police chief, both of which positions have been filled on an acting basis for the past several months. But Santhana and Mayor Gregory Buontempo were the only two members of the four-member committee in attendance.

Committeemen Rocco Impreveduto and DJ Luccarelli did not attend, meaning there was no quorum to conduct township business, according to Township Attorney Michael L. Collins.

The meeting was live streamed on the township website and had some people in attendance.

Santhana read a statement, saying he was "honored to serve Holmdel for three years."

He thanked the mayor, the committee members, the professional staff and the township employees for their support.

"Holmdel is in a better place than three years ago," he said.

Among other things, he cited accomplishments such as savings in debt costs, a major road repaving program and greater transparency in government. And he said if conditions changed, he "would look forward to serving again."

He praised having a "politically diverse" committee and he said the voters should demand more "civility, truth and tolerance" in government and not accept "extreme ideologies."

He also thanked his former running mate in 2019, former Committeewoman Cathy Weber, who resigned earlier this summer to relocate for a new position.

Weber and Santhana both supported a proposal to change Holmdel's government to a nonpartisan form, among other recommendations by the Charter Study Commission. Buontempo supported the change, along with Santhana. Committeemen Impreveduto and Luccarelli opposed the proposal. The proposal was defeated by voters in July.

Weber's unexpired spot on the Township Committee has remained unfilled, leaving four committee members, each side realizing that the other will not support a candidate the other puts forth. Now, with Santhana's departure, there are only three members on the committee, although that would constitute a quorum.

Meanwhile, Buontempo said he was "pretty upset" that there were not enough committee members in attendance to take care of planned business Friday - naming the township administrator and police chief.

Both positions are currently being filled on an acting basis by William E. Antonides, Jr. as interim township administrator and Capt. Frank Allocco as acting chief of police. No information was released about who is planned to be named to the positions.

On March 28, the committee named Antonides as interim township administrator in addition to his current role as Holmdel's chief financial officer. In February, Capt. Frank Allocco was named acting chief of police for the township.

Buontempo said the township will advise the public when action will be taken on those appointments.

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