Council-Manager Form of Government
Under this form of government adopted by Scotch Plains in 1978, the township is governed by a five member Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council serve as the legislative and policy making body of the township. All are elected to four year terms in partisan elections. While the Mayor is elected separately, he/she serves as an equal member of the governing body, shares legislative and policy making power with the rest of council, and does not possess executive authority. Some additional duties of the Mayor include serving as the presiding officer of council meetings, performing certain board and commission appointments as required by law.
The elected officials represent the township and develop a long-range vision for its future. They establish policies and laws that affect the overall operation of the community and are responsive to residents' needs and wishes. To ensure that these policies are carried out and that the entire community is equitably served, the governing body appoints a highly trained professional manager on the basis of his/her education, experience, skills, and abilities.
The selection of a professional, non-partisan manager by the council helps assure that council policies will be implemented professionally and without political influence. While the Township Manager is hired by majority vote of the governing body, and serves at the pleasure of the majority, state law expressly prohibits any member of the governing body to attempt to individually influence the actions of the manager or any other official in the township. Further, all administrative service of the municipality is handled through the manager's office and members of the governing body are prohibited from giving orders to any subordinates of the manager either publicly or privately. The Municipal Manager handles administrative functions in the Township which allows the governing body to concentrate on major policy and legislative initiatives. The manager has the full administrative responsibility for the municipality, including appointment of department heads as well as subordinates, preparation and presentation of the budget and the negotiation of contracts.
Important Facts and Information
Mayor and Township Council
Quick Facts - General Characteristics
Land Area – 9.0 Square Miles
Population – approx. 24,968
Median Age – 43.8
Persons Per Square Mile – 2,606
Per Capita Income - $60,896
Median Household Income - $131,732
Households - 8,761
Median Housing Value - $497,900
Median Rent - $1,584
Shady Rest Country Club – www.ShadyRestCountryClub.com/
Frazee House – www.FrazeeHouse.org
Osborne Cannonball House – www.HistoricalSocietyspfnj.org
Jewish Community Center of Central Jersey – www.jccnj.org
Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA – www.fspymca.org
Shackamaxon Country Club – www.Shackamaxoncc.com
Ashbrook Golf Course – www.AshbrookGolfCourse.com
Scotch Plains Department Directory
Administration
Al Mirabella, Township Manager
(908) 322-6700 ext. 313
Margaret Heisey, Deputy Township Manager
(908) 322-6700 ext. 314
Tom Strowe, Director of Redevelopment/Municipal Housing Liaison
(908) 322-6700 ext. 317
Clerk
Bonnie Lacina, Township Clerk
(908) 322-6700 ext. 211
Finance
Anders Hasseler, Chief Financial Officer
(908) 322-6700 ext. 200
Inspections Department
Robert LaCosta, Building, Engineering & Health
(908) 322-6700 ext. 306, 308, 309, 310
Library
The Scotch Plains Public Library
1927 Bartle Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ
(908) 322-5007
www.scotlib.org
Michelle Willis, Library Director
(908) 322-5007 ext. 202
Municipal Court
Court Administrator Office
(908) 322-6700 ext. 215
Jalessa Lewis, Court Administrator
Office of Emergency Management
430 Park Ave
www.scotchplainsnj.gov/OEM
Dennis VanNatta, OEM Director
(908) 322-6700 ext. 185
Public Safety
Police
Scotch Plains Police Department
430 Park Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 322-7100
www.scotchplainspolice.org
Jeff Briel, Police Chief
(908) 322-7100 ext. 102
Public Works Department
Frank DiNizo, Director
(908) 322-6700 ext. 243 or 244
Recreation Department
Julie Buonaguro, Director Parks & Recreation
(908) 322-6700 ext. 222
Rescue Squad
1916 Bartle Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Daniel Sullivan, Rescue Squad Chief
(908) 322-2103
www.scotchplainsrescuesquad.com
Scotch Plains Fire Department
Station #161 (430 Senger Place)
Station #162 (1910 Raritan Road)
www.scotchplainsnj.gov/fire-department
John Lestarchick, Fire Chief
(908) 322-6700 ext. 500
Tax Assessor
Mike Ross, Tax Assessor
(908) 322-6700 ext. 206
Tax Collector
Rhia Correia, Tax Collector
(908) 322-6700 ext. 210