Borough Officials

Borough council is the legislative body having the authority to set policy, enact ordinances, make resolutions, adopt budgets, and levy taxes. In addition, council performs executive functions such as enforcing ordinances, developing the budget, approving expenditures, and hiring employees. Following their election to office, the council members select a president and vice-president. The president presides over meetings and appoints various committees. The council establishes commissions/boards such as: planning, shade tree, and the zoning hearing board.

The mayor's prime responsibility is to direct the police department. The Borough code authorizes the mayor to preserve order, enforce ordinances and resolutions, remove nuisances, exact a faithful performance of the officers appointed, and perform such duties as assigned by law or ordinance. In preserving order, the mayor directs the activities of the police department. The mayor’s responsibility for ordinance enforcement is limited only to the power of directing the police. Mayors in Pennsylvania may declare a local disaster subject to approval by Borough Council and may declare a state of emergency in situations involving mobs or riots.

Community leadership is an area where the mayor often serves a leading role in promoting community projects both in the public and private sectors. The legislative powers of the mayor are limited to conducting council reorganization meetings every two years, attending regular and special meetings of borough council and executive sessions of council held under the Sunshine Act. The mayor may participate in council discussions. Mayors may also veto ordinances. The mayor is required to make a monthly report to the council relating to police activities and periodically update council on the state of the borough. Mayors have not been able to vote in council since 1893. The only exception is the power to break ties to enable the council to take action or request a special meeting of the council be held to resolve the matter.

An often-overlooked duty of the mayor is the ability to conduct marriage ceremonies and administer oaths & affirmations in matters relating to borough affairs.