Fink wins new term BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer Larry Fink HOLMDEL - In what was arguably the most civil election campaign in the area, Larry Fink (3,081) won over Republican challenger Donald R. Lemma (2,412) last week to remain the lone Democrat on the Township Committee. For Fink, it's a familiar role. In 2003, Democrats gained a majority, then lost it again last year. "I'm used to being on both sides," Fink said lightheartedly on Monday. Lemma accepted his defeat with grace. "My opponent ran a very good, honorable and vigoruos campaign," Lemma said on Monday. "Larry's a good person and I think people have commented that ours was the most honorable campaign in the district." Lemma credited "anti-Republican backlash" for the democratic sweep in Holmdel and many surrounding towns. "The people made their decision and I respect that decision," he said. "I'm looking forward to a nice hiatus," Lemma added. Fink enters his third-consecutive term on the committee. Fink said he plans on working toward the same goals he's been committed to all along: balancing the budget, stabilizing taxes, planning for open space and overseeing appropriate zoning. This term, Fink foresees finishing up the last round of Holmdel's lawsuit over back taxes at the PNC Arts Center. "The town is in litigation with the New Jersey Highway Authority over nonpayment of taxes for PNC Arts Center, and just couple of months ago we received good news that we won on appeal. But we still need to pursue one more round of appeals to make sure Holmdel taxpayers ... receive back taxes in the millions and future tax payments. That's something that's a major goals." Another goal for Fink concerns the Lucent property. While others would like to see the land used for housing and commercial purposes, Fink said he hopes to keep the site a laboratory and high-end office park. "With regards to the Lucent tract, there's some talk by the developer who's purchasing it that they wish to build 350 homes in addition to commercial development," Fink said. "I believe the township's long term interest would be best served by keeping the zoning as it is today, which is office/laboratory," Fink continued. "I think keeping the zoning as is would help maintain a healthy balance amongst the three major types of ratables we have in town: office/laboratory, highway retail along Route 35 and the third being residential." Open space has always been on the top of Fink's priority list, and he plans to continue his efforts in this area. "As the town continues to grow we've been rapidly losing our land to over development," Fink said. "Most people like Holmdel the way it and so I want to continue the efforts in preserving open space, both through creative zoning techniques as well as through land acquisition." Fink continued, saying that houses over 12,000 square feet do not belong in the historic neighborhood of Holmdel Village, located near Route 520 and Holmdel Road. "While I was mayor we worked for over two years to research and develop this [conservation] zoning," Fink said. "Many of these zoning provisions were overturned by the 2006 majority. I feel strongly, for example, that huge homes up to 12,000 square feet do not belong in Holmdel Village. We had specified in original conservation zoning to reflect the historic character of that area so the scale and design of any new buildings would have to be in keeping with the smaller Victorian and older homes and businesses in the area. The new zoning allows homes up to 12,000 square feet, which is about five to six times larger. They're monstrous and they don't belong in Holmdel Village"