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 12/31/27)
James Hurley (term expires 12/31/27)
Patrick McDonald (term expires 12/31/26)
Robert DeVito (term expires 12/31/28)
Thomas Slockbower (term expires 12/31/28)

Standing Committees of Council

Finance & License Committee
Chairperson: Thomas Haynes
Members: Robert DeVito, James Hurley

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

Ordinance Committee
Chairperson: Robert DeVito
Members: James Hurley, Thomas Slockbower

Personnel Committee
Chairperson: Patrick McDonald
Members: Melissa Burnside, Robert DeVito

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

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

Council Liaison Appointments 2026

Board of Health
Melissa Burnside

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 2026 Annual Meeting Notice

Minutes and Agendas

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