Mayor and Members of the Common Council of the Borough of Hopatcong

Municipal Building 111 River Styx Road, Hopatcong, NJ 07843

Telephone (973) 770-1200    Fax Number (973) 770-0301


Mayor Sylvia Petillo (R)

Borough Hall 973-770-1200 Home Pending / Term Expires 12/31/15

email:   spetillo@hopatcong.org


Council Members:


Council John Young (R)

Borough Hall 973-770-1200 Pending Home Pending / Term Expires 12/31/11

email:   jyoung@hopatcong.org


Councilman Rich Bunce (R)

Borough Hall 973-770-1200 / Term expires: 12/31/12

email:   rbunce@hopatcong.org


Councilwoman Marie Galate (R)

Borough Hall 973-770-1200 Home Pending / Term Expires: 12/31/12

email:   mgalate@hopatcong.org


Councilwoman Estelle Klein (R)

Borough Hall 973-770-1200 Home Pending / Term Expires: 12/31/14


Councilman Howard Baker (R)

Borough Hall 973-770-1200 Pending Home Pending / Term Expires: 12/31/13

email:   hbaker@hopatcong.org.


Councilman Michael Francis (R)

Borough Hall 973-770-1200 Home Pending / Term Expires: 12/31/13

email:   mfrancis@hopatcong.org.


The Mayor:

The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the Borough. The Mayor is elected at-large for a
four-year term. The Mayor is considered to be a member of the Borough Council, helps set the agenda for Council meetings and chairs all meetings of the Council. The Mayor can vote only
in the event of a tie but has the power to veto any ordinance adopted by the Council.

The Mayor has executive authority to act between Council meetings in matters
affecting the Borough.

The Mayor can declare a state of emergency and can act to protect the Borough and its citizens.

The Mayor appoints the members of all Borough Committees and certain Borough Commissions.

The Mayor's nominations for certain other Borough Boards and Commissions are subject to Council approval.

The Mayor prepares the initial draft of the annual Borough budget for submission to the Council.

The Mayor can issue Proclamations. The Mayor is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.

The Mayor is required to sit as a member of the Borough Planning Board. The signatures of the Mayor and Borough Clerk are necessary to create any legally binding obligation of the Borough.


The Borough Council:

The Common Council of the Borough of Hopatcong (Borough Council) is the legislative body
of the Borough. There are six members of the Council elected at-large for three-year terms. In every year, two council positions are available for election. The Council can act in one of two formats: a) Ordinances, which have the effect of law and b) Resolutions, which state the policy
or direction of the Council. Ordinances require public notice and a public hearing prior to adoption. Resolutions must be adopted in public but do not require public hearings.

The Council is charged with the adoption of the annual Borough Budget. The Mayor's nominations of certain Borough officials are also subject to Council approval. Council members are annually appointed by the Mayor to act as liaisons to various Borough departments, Boards, Commissions or Committees. The Council annually elects a member to serve in the position
of Council President. In the absence of the Mayor, the Council President can assume the role
and duties of the Mayor. The Council also annually elects a member to serve as its representative on the Planning Board.

The Mayor and Council meetings are usually held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each
month at 7:30 pm.

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