Politics & Government

5 Reasons Hopatcong's a Borough

It's not a town, and definitely not a city. Here's why.

Hopatcong is a borough. No, you didn't need Patch to tell you that.

But what makes Hopatcong a borough? That's the better question.

There are five different types of municipalities in New Jersey—townships, boroughs, cities, towns and villages. Each is different. Maybe only by a little but. But enough to matter.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here are the five components of a borough, courtesy of the New Jersey League of Municipalities:

  1. You Need to Know About Voters: Voters elect a mayor and six councilmen. While a mayor has a four-year term, councilmen get three-year terms.
  2. You Need to Know About Mayors: Mayors are the heads of boroughs. They make sure state laws and borough ordinances are carried out. They also preside over councils—voting only to break ties. Mayors can also veto ordinances, which is subject to an override by 2/3 of the council, and they can subordinate officers with council approval.
  3. You Need to Know About Councils: Councils are a borough's legislative body. They can override a mayor's veto with a 2/3's majority; confirm mayoral appointments; gain appointment power "upon failure to confirm mayor's appointee or after office vacant for 30 days." The council also has the executive responsibilities the mayor doesn't.
  4. You Need to Know About Administration: The council can delegate, but only via ordinance, some or all or executive responsibility to an administrator. Councils can also adopt an administrative code.
  5. You Need to Know About When Boroughs Organize: In January.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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