Township Council

To assist you in understanding the proceedings at the Township Council meetings, this summary is prepared for you. I hope that you will find this information useful in explaining the procedures your Governing Body must follow. Should you have any questions relating to local government, call the Township Clerk's Office – 973-694-1800 ext. 3346.

Under the Optional Municipal Charter Law, Mayor-Council Plan, as adopted in 1962, the nine-member Township Council is the Township's governing body. There are 6 Ward Councilmember's, one elected from each Ward, and 3 at-large Councilmember's, elected by the whole Township. The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer, and may propose Ordinances and Resolutions for Council consideration, but does not vote. The Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Building, on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 P.M. and as needed Conference Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at TBD. The "Open Public Meetings Act", commonly known as the "Sunshine Law", now provides that citizens may sit in on the business of both Regular & Conference Meetings. However, the public is not permitted to attend "Closed Sessions" of these meetings. The "Closed Sessions" are usually related to matters in litigation or personnel issues.

Council action may be decided in the form of an Ordinance or Resolution or by a simple motion. Ordinances are laws enacted by the Council and are usually of a permanent effect. There is a specific procedure for passing an Ordinance. The Ordinance is introduced by title only by a majority vote, printed in summary in the "Herald News" with notice of the specific time, date, and place for a public hearing, at which time citizens may be heard on the item in question. (Reprints of Ordinances are available at the Clerk's Office) After the public hearing is held Council votes on adoption of same by a majority vote. (Emergency and Bonding Ordinances require a two-thirds vote of approval of the full Council for passage.)

Many official actions of the Township may be accomplished by a Resolution of the Council. These include approvals of the annual budget, acceptance of bids, awarding of contracts and payment of bills, and various miscellaneous matters. A Resolution only requires one reading (adopted the same night it's introduced).

Some official actions are handled through adopting a Consent Agenda. Consent Agendas provide for rapid, effective action on routine, non-controversial matters needing no discussion. A Consent Agenda includes routine items of business that are not controversial and do not require individual discussion. These items are generally meeting minutes, licenses, and permits. To adopt a Consent Agenda, it is moved, seconded then voted upon as one item by the Governing Body. If any discussion is requested on a Consent Agenda item, it is removed from the Consent Agenda and discussed separately.

Prior to the Council meeting adjourning, the meeting is opened to the public. This gives a citizen the floor for five minutes to address the Council on any matter that is of concern to them. After citizens have had an opportunity to speak, the public portion is closed and the Council and/or the Administration may address any inquiries. (There is no cross dialogue during the public portion).

Meetings are televised on Wayne Municipal Cablecasting – TV77.

Agendas are available the Friday prior to the meeting in the Municipal Clerk's Office, available in the Council Chambers the night of the meeting, as well as on this Internet site: View current meeting Schedule and Agendas.