Mayor & Council
Borough Form of Government
The Borough of Morris Plains was incorporated by the State Assembly on January 15, 1926 and operates under a Borough form of government. The Borough form of government consists of a Mayor and six council members all of whom are elected at-large. The Mayor is the head of the governing body and is elected to a four-year term. Council members to a three-year term. Each council member is assigned a portfolio of responsibilities by the Mayor.
Meetings
Borough Council meetings are normally held twice a month at Borough Hall (or virtually). Typically, a conference session begins at 7:30 p.m., and the regular meeting begins at 8:30 p.m. There is only one Council meeting in August and three in December.
View the meeting calendar here.
Agenda and Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval. View the most recent agenda and minutes here.
Governing Body
Email members by clicking on their name. Or type first initial, last name @morrisplainsboro.org.
| Name/Title | Telephone | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Karr, Mayor | 973-538-2224 Office 973-214-5265 Mobile | 12/31/2026 |
| Cathie Kelly, Councilmember | 973-722-4308 | 12/31/2024 |
| Art Bruhn, Jr. Councilmember | 973-714-4729 | 12/31/2023 |
| Sal Cortese, Councilmember | 973-984-1512 | 12/31/2023 |
| Joan Goddard, Council President | 973-206-1094 | 12/31/2025 |
| Nancy Verga, Councilmember | 973-451-0512 | 12/31/2025 |
| Dennis Wagner, Councilmember | 973-452-4706 | 12/31/2024 |
Each Council member chairs a sub-committee and is a member of two other sub-committees. View sub-committees below.
Standing Committees
Finance Committee
Chair: Sal Cortese
Members: Cathie Kelly, Joan Goddard
Responsibilities:
- Borough Clerk
- Borough Treasurer
- Borough Attorney
- Borough Auditor
- Tax Collector & Tax Assessor
- Website and Plains Talk
- Morris Plains Library
- Elections
Public Safety Committee
Chair: Nancy Verga
Members: Sal Cortese, Dennis Wagner
Responsibilities:
- Police Department
- Municipal Court
- Licenses
- Juvenile Delinquencies
- Local Emergency Planning Committee (Liaison)
- Fire Department & Fire Prevention Bureau
- Traffic Committee
- Hwy Traffic & Parking
- Transportation (Liaison)
Public Works Committee
Chair: Joan Goddard
Members: Art Bruhn, Jr., Dennis Wagner
Responsibilities:
- Department of Public Works
- Leaf/Brush Collection & Snow Removal
- Sewer and Storm Drain Maintenance
- Roads, Curbs & Sidewalks
- Maintenance of Public Buildings and Parks
- Borough Engineer
- Safety Committee
- Beautification Committee
- State & County Highways (Liaison)
Public Buildings and Grounds Committee
Chair: Art Bruhn, Jr.
Members: Cathie Kelly, Nancy Verga
Responsibilities:
- Public Parks
- Municipal Grounds
- Borough Owned Lands
- Swimming Pool
- Recreation Commission (Liaison)
- Shade Tree Commission (Liaison)
- Patriotic Celebrations
- Robert’s Garden Commission (Liaison)
Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Committee
Chair: Cathie Kelly
Members: Joan Goddard, Nancy Verga
Responsibilities:
- Board of Health (Liaison)
- Morris Plains Municipal Alliance
- Animal Control
- Garbage Collection
- Sanitation & Sewer Contracts
- Recycling
- Clean Communities
- Teen Center
Ordinance & Public Utilities Committee
Chair: Dennis Wagner
Members: Sal Cortese, Art Bruhn Jr.
Responsibilities:
- Planning Board
- Board of Adjustment
- Zoning Officer
- Building, Plumbing, Electrical & Fire Sub-Code Officials
- Ordinances
- Street lights
- Electricity, Water, Telephone, Internet & Cable TV