About

Pennington Form of Government

The Borough form remains the most popular form of local government in New Jersey. This form dates back to the Borough Act of 1878 and was revised in 1897. The borough Mayor is elected at large to a four-year term. Six Council members are elected at-large to staggered three-year terms.

The Mayor retains all general law authority, presides over council meetings and can vote in case of a tie. The Mayor appoints, with the advice and consent of the council, all subordinates and officers of the municipality.

The Council is the legislative body of the Borough. All executive responsibilities not placed in the office of the Mayor by general law or the Borough law lies with the Council.

Like the other traditional forms of local government in New Jersey, a Borough may appoint an administrator and delegate all or a portion the executive responsibilities to her/him. The Council may also adopt an administrative code which describes how the Council shall perform its duties.

As of January 1, 1998, there are 218 New Jersey municipalities with the Borough form of local government.