Borough Government and Operations
Form of Government
On January 1, 1975, Mountain Lakes adopted a form of municipal government in which the Borough Council retains legislative power, but delegates administrative duties to a salaried, full- time Manager.
Borough Council
The Borough Council’s role is purely legislative; it establishes policy and passes ordinances and resolutions. The seven Borough Council members are elected at large, to serve with no compensation, for overlapping four-year terms. Elections are partisan and are held every two years in November, with three or four seats alternately falling vacant. The new Council takes office at the reorganization meeting, which must take place during the first seven days of January. At this time, the Council elects the Mayor and Deputy Mayor by majority vote from among its own members. These officials serve for one year and may be re-elected. The Mayor presides at Council meetings, represents the Borough on ceremonial occasions, signs contracts, deeds, resolutions, ordinances, and other documents for the borough, and may perform marriages.
Borough Council Meetings
Council meetings are held the second and fourth Monday evening of each month, except July, August and December, when only one meeting is held. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (Sunshine Law) requires that notices of meetings be provided in advance, and meetings be open to the public. Some topics are discussed only in closed session. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the borough website.
Borough Manager
The Borough Manager is appointed by the Council for an indefinite term and serves at the discretion of the Council. He or she is the chief administrative officer of the borough, responsible for overseeing all municipal departments, coordinating day-to-day operations, and implementing the policies set by the Borough Council. The Manager serves as Treasurer of borough finances, and acts as a general liaison and ombudsman for the residents, responding to citizens’ questions and concerns about borough operations.
The Borough Manager’s office is located in Borough Hall, and all business related to borough operations is conducted at this location.
Borough Clerk and Registrar
The Borough Clerk serves as secretary to the Governing Body, secretary to the Municipal Corporation, Election Official, Licensing Official, Records Manager, Registrar of Vital Statistics, and Administrative Official at the municipal government level.
The following are under the purview of the Borough Clerk:
• Birth and death certificates
• Marriage/Civil Union licensing
• Animal licensing
• Raffle licensing
• Soliciting
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the public infrastructure. This includes the borough’s roads, curbs, and sidewalks; the water distribution system and interconnections with neighboring towns; the sanitary sewer collection and storm water management systems; and the borough’s recreation venues and public parks. The department, in conjunction with the police and fire departments, is an integral part of the emergency management team, and is responsible for implementation of any necessary emergency response. Through a shared services agreement, the Director of Public Works also serves as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for the Mountain Lakes Board of Education.
Police Department
The Police Department provides police services on a 24-hour basis. All police dispatching services are provided by the Morris County Division of Law and Public Safety. Calls for police service are received by a central dispatch and relayed to the officers in the field. All residents are encouraged to contact the police immediately whenever they witness any activity that seems suspicious or which causes concern. Prompt notification enables the police to prevent crimes, apprehend violators, and keep the community safe.
Commonly used forms and informative brochures are available in the police lobby at all times, as well as on the borough website.
Volunteer Fire Department
The Mountain Lakes Volunteer Fire Department provides fire, rescue, and hazardous materials services to the residents and businesses of Mountain Lakes. It is staffed exclusively by volunteers, and includes a Junior Fire Department, made up of Mountain Lakes High School students age 16 and older. All members complete regular training to maintain competency in the latest fire fighting tactics and technology. The Department welcomes dedicated volunteers, who are crucial to its viability.
Municipal Court
The shared Municipal Court of Denville and Mountain Lakes is one of limited jurisdiction, holding weekly sessions to hear cases involving minor criminal offenses, motor vehicle violations, parking summons, and local ordinance offenses. The Municipal Court has the authority to impose fines and incarcerate offenders up to one year in the Morris County Correctional Facility.
Health Commission
The borough has a contract for health services with the Township of Montville. Health screenings and education programs, advertised on the borough website, are provided periodically for the well-being of the community.