Municipal Complex Will Take Late Assemblyman's Name

The municipal complex will be dedicated in the memory of the late Pete Biondi in a ceremony on Saturday morning.

The complex at the corner of South Branch Road and Beekman Lane was renamed the Peter J. Building Building by the Township Committee on Tuesday night.

Biondi, who died in November 2011, was a state assemblyman and served on the Township Committee from 1983 to 1993. He served as mayor from 1986 to 1993 and was a Somerset County freeholder before he was elected to the Assembly.

Biondi, 69, died two days after  to the 16th Legislative District, of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Mayor Carl Suraci remember Biondi as “Mr. Hillsborough.”

“The late Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi was a pillar of our community,” Suraci said at Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting. “Known for his tireless dedication and support of the Hillsborough community, it is only appropriate that we honor his many years of service to the residents of Hillsborough by dedicating and therefore renaming this building as the Peter J. Biondi Building.”

Suraci recalled that Biondi spearheaded the acquisition of the land for the municipal complex and its construction.

Committeeman Doug Tomson remembered that when he was a Cub Scout, his pack was given a tour of the municipal complex by Biondi who was mayor at the time.

“He was so proud of the building,” Tomson said.

Committeeman Frank DelCore echoed the mayor.

“It is very fitting,” he said. “He was Mr. Hillsborough. I’m glad we have the opportunity to do something in his remembrance.”

“All of us miss him,” said Committeeman Bob Wagner.

“He was a special person,” Deputy Mayor Gloria McCauley said.

The dedication will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the entrance to the complex. Honored guests will include the late assemblyman’s wife, Joan, and other family members.

Speakers will include Congressman Leonard Lance, State Sen. Kip Bateman and Suraci.

“It will be very emotional,” Suraci said.