Now that we have tied a bow around our Jan. 18 Township Council reorganization meeting by welcoming two new members — Hal English and Amit Chopra — along with a first-time president in Mike Todd, it feels like a good time for a refresher as to how our municipal government works.
Robbinsville Township is governed by what is called “The Mayor-Council Plan,” under the Faulkner Act, which is also known as the “Strong Mayor” form. It provides for the direct election of the mayor, who serves a four-year term and, if future leaders are as fortunate as I have been, a few terms!
This form of government is non-partisan and designed for a mayor to be independent of Council and in charge of the municipality as its chief executive officer.
I also serve as the public safety director. Under the Faulkner Act, the nayor exercises the executive powers of the municipality, which includes functions such as enforcement of ordinances, supervision of all municipal departments, municipal property and appointing directors with the advice and consent of Council.
Each director shall serve during the term of office of the mayor and until the appointment and qualification of a successor.
The mayor’s office also maintains oversight of personnel and purchasing procedures, preparation of the municipal operating/capital budgets and negotiation of contracts — all subject to Council approval.
Additionally, the Mayor serves as ex-officio, non-voting member of all appointive bodies of which he or she is not an official voting member. The mayor may also attend Council meetings and take part in discussions, propose legislation and veto ordinances – subject to override by a two-thirds majority of the entire Council.
The five members of Township Council — President Todd, Vice President Debbie Blakely, Chris Ciaccio, Mr. English and Mr. Chopra — provide checks and balances and are elected on a non-partisan basis to four-year, staggered terms. Or, in the case of Mr. English, appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mike Cipriano, who resigned effective Dec. 31, 2023.
Our Council is traditionally very active and works incredibly hard. I want to thank Hal and Amit for their willingness to serve the public. I have had the opportunity to work with each of them in various capacities over the years and it’s been a pleasure.
I also want to thank Vice President Blakely, who did a phenomenal job as president (in 2023). If there was an event, Ms. Blakely was likely there.
It is interesting being the mayor. You get all the credit, but it is the Council and our staff that does everything they can to make me look good. I cannot thank them enough for all the hard work they do.
With all of the political division in our world today, it is really nice that we have a town that works together for the greater good.
Our staff and Council show up, they work hard, and the beauty is many of us are very different with opposing ideas and diverse political leanings.
There is no rubber stamp. We don’t always agree, but we do listen to each other’s points of view and can agree to disagree while still getting the job done for our residents.
That is how politics should be and how good government should operate. We have a great deal we want to accomplish in 2024, and I am looking forward to working with our new Council to move Robbinsville yet another step forward.
Dave Fried is the mayor of Robbinsville Township.
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