As a political entity, a township in New Jersey is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village.
The township form of local government is used by 27% of New Jersey municipalities; however, slightly over 50% of the state's population resides within them.
The mayor in this form of government is primarily ceremonial and has the same power as other township committee members.
Historically, a variety of legislation has been passed by the state legislature that has defined and refined the township form of municipal government: The Township Act of 1798 was the first state legislation to incorporate municipalities.
A group of five freeholders was elected to one-year terms on the Township Committee, which was responsible to oversee the expenditure of revenue in between town meetings.
The Home Rule Act of 1917 legally defined the term "municipality" and recognized five types of government: borough, township, city, town, and village and granted each equal legal standing.
[1] In Essex County alone, 11 municipal governments changed their form or name to take advantage of the program.