Mayor and Council

The Borough of Rockaway government consists of an elected mayor and six elected council members. The mayor serves a four-year term, and each year two council members are elected to three-year terms.

Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact

Thomas Mulligan
Mayor
Phone Number: 973-627-2000
email: mayormulligan@rockawayborough.org
(term expires 12/31/27)

Melissa Burnside
Council President
Phone Number: 973-627-2000
email: burnsiderb@rockawayborough.org

Members of the Governing Body

Melissa Burnside (term expires 12/31/26)
Thomas Haynes (term expires 12/31/24)
James Hurley (term expires 12/31/24)
Patrick McDonald (term expires 12/31/26)
Andrew Agliata (term expires 12/31/25)
Thomas Slockbower (term expires 12/31/25)

Standing Committees of Council

Finance & License Committee
Chairperson: James Hurley
Members: Andrew Agliata, Thomas Haynes

Fire Committee
Chairperson: Melissa Burnside
Members: Patrick McDonald, Thomas Slockbower

Ordinance Committee
Chairperson: Thomas Slockbower
Members: James Hurley, Andrew Agliata

Personnel Committee
Chairperson: Patrick McDonald
Members: Thomas Haynes, Melissa Burnside

Public Safety Committee
Chairperson: Melissa Burnside
Members: Patrick McDonald, Thomas Slockbower

Public Utility and Works Committee
Chairperson: Thomas Haynes
Members: James Hurley, Andrew Agliata

Council Liaison Appointments 2025

Board of Health
Andrew Agliata

Environmental Commission
Thomas Slockbower

Historical Committee
James Hurley

Library Board of Trustees
Melissa Burnside

Local Board of Education
Thomas Haynes

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
Patrick McDonald

Shared Municipal Court (Rockaway Township)
Thomas Mulligan

Meetings

Council meetings are scheduled to be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Community Center, 21-25 Union Street. Meetings are open to the public. See the meetings page for complete schedule.

See 2025 Annual Meeting Notice

Minutes and Agendas

Minutes and agendas are posted on the meetings page. Click here to go to the meetings page.