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
Person Per Square Mile – 2,767.8
Per Capita Income -- $77,006
Median Household Income – $173,564
Households – 8,751
Median Housing Value - $696,900
Median Rent -- $1,816
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
Margaret Heisey
Township Manager
(908) 322-6700 ext. 313
Tom Strowe
Director of Planning & Community Development
(908) 322-6700 ext. 317
Building Department
Robert LaCosta
Building, Engineering & Health
(908) 322-6700 ext. 306, 308, 309, 310
Kim Smith, Land Use Administrator
Planning/Zoning Boards
(908) 322-6700 ext. 307
Clerk
Bonnie Lacina
Township Clerk
(908) 322-6700 ext. 211
Finance
Anders Hasseler
Chief Financial Officer
(908) 322-6700 ext. 200
Library
Scotch Plains Public Library
1927 Bartle Ave
(908) 322-5007
www.scotlib.org
Michelle Willis
Library Director
(908) 322-5007 ext. 202
Municipal Court
Jalessa Lewis
Court Administrator
(908) 322-6700 ext. 215
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
Tax Assessor
Mike Ross, Tax Assessor
(908) 322-6700 ext. 206
Tax Collector
Rhia Correia, Tax Collector
(908) 322-6700 ext. 210
Police Department
430 Park Ave
(908) 322-7100
www.scotchplainspolice.org
David Lavery, Police Chief
(908) 322-6700 ext. 102
Fire Department
Station #161 (430 Senger Place)
Station #162 (1920 Raritan Road) www.scotchplainsnj.gov
John Lestarchick
Fire Chief (908) 322-6700 ext. 500
Office of Emergency Management
430 Park Ave
www.scotchplainsnj.gov/OEM
Brendon Canavan, OEM Coordinator
(908) 322-6700 ext. 503
Rescue Squad
1916 Bartle Ave
Daniel Sullivan, Rescue Squad Chief
(908) 322-2103
EMS BILLING INQUIRIES
(908) 322-6700 ext. 503