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The original grant of New Jersey from King Charles II of England to his brother, James, Duke of York, in 1664 gave the duke the authority to create forms of government and make laws.
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The duke in turn regranted New Jersey to Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret as joint proprietors
The proprietors vested the power to incorporate municipalities in a general assembly. This practice of
legislative creation of municipalities continued in both East and West Jersey.
http://www.danstopicals.com/sellers.htm -
The Merger of East & West Jersey
Following the merger of the proprietary colonies of East and West Jersey to form the royal colony of New Jersey in 1702, the
method of municipal incorporation changed from legislative grant to royal charter. -
The Township Form (NJSA 40A:63-1 et seq.)
Following the American Revolution, the power to incorporate municipalities passed to the state Legislature. The first general law incorporating municipalities in the State of New Jersey was the
Township Act of 1798, which created the original 104 townships of New Jersey.
http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html -
The Township Act of 1846
The Township Act of 1846 was amended extensively during the mid and late nineteenth century. Between 1846 and 1899, the Township Act was amended 168 times. -
Township Act of 1989, took effect
The Township Act of 1899 served as the basis of township government from February 25, 1900 to January 1, 1990 when the latest revision of the township form, the Township Act of 1989, took effect.
As with the two previous Township Acts, population and economic growth, and societal change over the 5
nearly ninety years that it was on the statute books made it necessary to amend the Township Act of
1899 many times.
http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html -
Township Act of 1989 is granted a great deal of executive authority!
When the municipal administrator in a township operating under the Township Act of 1989 is granted a great deal of executive authority by ordinance. The Township Act of 1989 also authorizes the township committee to adopt an administrative code. As of July 1, 2003, there were 146 townships operating under the Township Act of 1989.
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pdf/lpt/nj_assessors_handbook.pdf -
2001 NJ Statutes
In 2001, the statutes were further amended to provide that towns with populations between 12,000 and 16,000 would automatically have four year terms for mayors and council members elected
after June 26, 2001. -
Realignment of New Jersey politics
New Jersey has gone Democratic in the last six elections, after voting Republican in eight out of the previous 10.
http://www.270towin.com/states/New_Jersey
