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Our City functions under the Mayor-Council form of government with a Special Charter, Township formed on April 16, 1863. We became a City in 1900 and became incorporated as a City on January 1, 1909.
The Mayor and all ten members of Council are elected to serve four-year terms.
The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the city government. He also is responsible for the enforcement of all city ordinances and from time to time proposes to council such legislation which he feels is in the best interest of the community.
The City Council is the legislative body of the City. Council enacts all ordinances for the City and also is responsible for all budgetary appropriations and procedures.
City Council holds a reorganization meeting every year in January, and at that time formally elects the chairperson of council who serves for one year. The chairperson presides over all council meetings and appoints the members of all standing committees of council. The chairperson of council also assumes the position of Acting Mayor in the event of the absence or disability of the Mayor for a period exceeding 60 consecutive days. The chairman is also an ex-officio member of every standing committee as well as liaison to the Mayor, County Board of Freeholders, NJ State Legislature and U.S. Congress.
Regular council meetings are held every second and fourth Monday of every month and committee meetings are held on every first and third Monday of every month. With the passage of the Sunshine Law, all meetings of the City Council are open to the public. Citizens are allowed to address the council at any regular meeting. A portion of each regular meeting is set for the hearing of citizens who may speak on any subject of their choice.
Council meetings offer an excellent opportunity for citizens to see their government in operation and to participate in the government process. Suggestions for improvement in service to our citizens are always welcome.
Both residents and members of the business community are encouraged to contact their City Council representatives if information is needed on certain matters. The names, addresses and telephone numbers appear in the preceding page. The City Clerk's Office can also be contacted if a council member is unavailable. City Council's office is located on the second floor of City Hall. Council members are part-time officials of the City, but they often spend many hours in City Hall, individually and collectively.
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