Municipal Building Re-Named to Honor Pete Biondi
The Township Committee unanimously approved a motion to rename the Municipal Complex.
The Hillsborough Municipal Building will now be called the Peter J. Biondi building, in honor of the late township mayor, county freeholder and state assemblyman.
The Township Committee unanimously approved a motion to rename the building, after Committeeman Anthony Ferrera moved to renaming it during the committee’s Tuesday meeting.
“All of us had talked up here individually, and I had the opportunity to speak with Joan Biondi, the assemblyman’s wife, and we were unanimously looking at renaming the municipal building here the Peter J. Biondi building,” he said. “I couldn’t think of a better person to name the building after.”
The Township Committee only needed a motion and resolution in order to change the building name, Township Attorney Albert Cruz said. Since the Township Committee will not meet again until its reorganization meeting on Jan. 3, it will accept the formal resolution then.
Building the complex, which opened in the early 1990s, was among Biondi’s achievements during his tenure on the Township Committee. The building incorporated most of the township offices, the library and the Board of Education offices—something the prior location did not do. The set-up allows the offices and departments to better collaborate, according to Township Administrator Mike Merdinger.
Biondi served as Hillsborough Township Committeeman, Mayor, Somerset County Freeholder and State Assemblyman for District 16 when he succumb to cancer two days after winning his reelection bid.
The committee has not yet decided how it will handle the signs in front of and on the side of the building, though they’ve been considering renaming it for a few weeks, Ferrera said.
For Ferrera, who credits Biondi for introducing him to township politics, introducing was among his last actions as a member of the township committee—he did not run for reelection to his committee seat and his term expires on Dec. 31.
“One of the most important things to Pete was this municipal building,” Ferrera said. “He loved it, helped create it, and it was always important to him.”
A Hillsborough Resident
2:48 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Something else to waste more tax dollars - great job guys!
Terry Todd
12:07 am on Saturday, December 17, 2011
I have to disagree with "A Hillsborough Resident". Please take the time to Google Peter J. Biondi and all that he has accomplished to make Hillsborough a better place to live. It is apparent that you are strickly thinking of money and not what this one single person has put into making Hillsborough what it is today. I grew up in Hillsborough and I can tell you that whatever Pete could do to make it more of a family community, he put his heart into it. Do me a favor and if you could even handle all the reading of what Pete has done for Hillsborough, your head would spin and you would retract what you said. To grow up here and still live here like I do, all I can say is Pete is what made Hillsborough what it is today. He had dreams of making it better and he accomplished what he set out to do and if you knew of all the help he gave to many organizations without seeking credit you would be very proud to know the history behind Hillsborough. I am very proud to have known such a caring man and most of all, he was a friend to anyone in need. I believe this is a small price to pay considering the type man he was and I can honestly say that he wasn't your "usual" politician. I know he had many more projects that he wanted to finish but unfortunately he was taken way too soon not only from his family but his extended family called Hillsborough.
Pete, you will always be in our hearts and we thank you for all you've done.
Nancy Edwards
8:46 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011
I would add his name under the sign.
Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex
Peter J. Biondi Building
There's no doubt that Pete deserves recognition in our town, but I think "Municipal Complex" makes it clear for the general public. Similar to most towns. I think a nice bronze plaque with his portrait would have also worked, rededicating the building in his honor. Nancy Edwards
S.G.
9:51 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Both of Ms. Edwards' suggestions have a lot of merit. It recognizes Mr. Biondi while preventing the confusion of a municipal building without the name of the muncipality.
Another suggestion: As Mr. Biondi decided to contribute through elective office, why not name what is now referred to as the "Mayors Ofiice" after him? Call it the "Peter J. Biondi Administrative Offices.
The first poster has a legitimate question. Changing a name involves a lot more then just putting up the letters on the building.
S.G.
3:26 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
Apparently Ms. Edward's suggestion regarding adding Mr. Biondi's name to the current name wins..but I guess it's too late:
http://www.hillsboroughnjjournal.blogspot.com/2011/12/municipal-building-rename.html