Parkesburg Farm Community Market

The present type of borough government is the weak mayor form, typical of all municipalities in the nineteenth century. Most of the present cities were boroughs first and became cities as their populations increased. Boroughs have a strong and dominant council, a weak executive and other elected officers with powers independent of the council. The governing body of the borough is an elected council. The tax collector, assessor and auditors are also elected. Many other officials are appointed by borough council. The mayor is elected for a four-year term; council members are elected for four-year over lapping terms. A borough not divided into wards has three, five or seven council men; in boroughs divided into wards, one, two or three are elected from each ward. The powers of council are broad and extensive, covering virtually the whole range of municipal functions. As the chief administrative officer appointed by council, the manager is responsible for carrying out the policies and enforcing the ordinances of council, relieving councilmen from routine daily administration.