The Municipal Manager Form of Government (NJSA 40-39-1 et seq.)

The Borough of Lodi operates under the Municipal Manager Form of Government. This form is the early predecessor to the Faulkner Act’s Council-Manager form and is reflective of the progressive effort to bring a more businesslike, professional approach to local government. In effect, this form separated policy making (council) from policy implementation (manager). By law, a municipality can adopt through a referendum, a three, five or seven-member council, elected at large in nonpartisan elections. The mayor is selected from the council but the duties associated with the title are essentially limited to presiding over and voting with the council and a handful of appointments. The manager serves as the chief executive of the municipality. The manager operates the municipality in a businesslike manner. The manager prepares the budget for the council, oversees the negotiation and implementation of contracts and handles most personnel matters.

Municipal Manager Marc N. Schrieks