Borough Council is the legislative body of the Borough. It is comprised of seven members, six council members and a Mayor, each elected at large for four-year overlapping terms. After each general municipal election (i.e. every two years), Borough Council is reorganized and a Deputy Mayor is selected from among members. The Deputy Mayor will chair meetings of Council in the absences of the Mayor, and may exercise the authority of the Mayor. In addition, during the biennial organizational meeting, members elect among themselves a chairman and vice-chairman for the following committees: Community Planning & Smart Growth, Employee Relations/Citizen Participation, Finance, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, and Public Works. The primary duties of Borough Council include adoption of the annual budget, the establishment of policies for the conduct of Borough affairs, the enactment of ordinances and resolutions for the protection of the public’s safety and welfare, and approval of contracts and bids. Furthermore, Council’s responsibilities include the appointment of the Borough Manager and other respective officials, along with members of various municipal boards and commissions.
The Mayor is elected at large to a four-year term with the primary responsibility of presiding over Council and signing all ordinances. As an official representative of the Borough, the Mayor has the right to declare public emergencies, serves as the chair of the public safety committee and is an ex officio member of all other Borough committees. The Mayor is a voting member of Council and has no veto power. Another function of the office is to serve as spokesman for the community and to represent the Borough at various civic and social activities.