West Caldwell Municipal Government

West Caldwell is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government.

The governing body consists of a Mayor and a Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.

​The Borough form of government used by West Caldwell, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

West Caldwell Boards & Commissions

Planning board

Purpose: In accordance with the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, the Planning Board is directly and exclusively authorized to exercise power with regard to:

1. The adoption of the Master Plan.
2. Subdivision control and site plan review
3. Recommendations as to the official map.
4. Conditional use applications.
5. Recommendations as to the zoning ordinance and amendments thereto.
6. The capital improvement program.

In addition, the planning board participates in preparation and review of programs or plans required by state or federal law or regulations. Their work often includes assembling data on a continuing basis as part of a continuing planning process. The board may perform such other advisory duties as assigned to aid and assist the governing body or other agencies or officers of the City.
Membership: Members consist of the Mayor, a municipal official appointed by the Mayor, a member of City Council appointed by the Council, and six citizen members plus two alternates appointed by the Mayor. Appointments are for four year terms for Regular Members and two (2) year terms for Alternate Members.

Zoning board of adjustment

Purpose: In accordance with the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, the Zoning Board of Adjustment is responsible for:

1. Hearing appeals from decisions of an administrative official related to development applications.
2. Hearing applications for relief from provisions of the local zoning ordinance.

Membership: Township Council appoints seven (7) Regular Members and two (2) Alternate Members. Regular Member appointments are four year terms and Alternate Member appointments are two year terms.

local assistance board

Purpose: To oversee the administration and operations of the Municipal Welfare Office in accordance with state regulations and advise the City on other social service issues.

Membership: Five (5) members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Township Council; one Council member for a one-year term and 4 other members each serving a four-year term.

Environmental commission

Purpose: The Commission has the power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the township and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes.  It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas and may recommend to the Planning Board or to the Mayor and Council plans and programs for inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such areas. ​

Membership: The Environmental Commission consists of seven (7) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the Mayor and all of whom shall be residents.  One of the members may also be a member of the Planning Board. 

board of health

Purpose: ​ The Board of Health has the power and authority to adopt ordinances relating to the protection of the health of township residents, employs necessary personnel and has jurisdiction over the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the township, the Health Officer and such other employees as are necessary to carry out its duties.
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Membership: The Board consists of between 5 and 7 members.  The members of the Board of Health are appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Township Council.  Members are appointed for terms of four (4) years.  At least one member must be a municipal physician.

library board of trustees

Purpose: The Board manages all property of the library. The Board oversees the rental of rooms or construction of buildings for the use of the library, purchases books, pamphlets, documents, papers and other reading matter, hires librarians, and other necessary personnel, and fixes their compensation, makes proper rules and regulations for the government of the library, and generally does all things necessary and proper for the establishment and maintenance of the free public library in West Caldwell. The board may also transfer to and receive from other libraries books, magazines, prints, maps and other related library materials for the purpose of augmenting the interlibrary loan service.

​Membership: The Board includes 7 members, one of whom is the Mayor, one the Superintendent of Schools and five residents appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.  The Mayor and Superintendent may appoint alternates to serve in their place.

other boards & committees

• Senior Citizens' Transportation Committee
• Camp Wyanokie Commission
• Pool Utility
• Municipal Alliance
• Real Estate Committee
• The Bridge
• Juvenile Conference Committee