Jersey Shore Borough Government
The present type of Borough Government is the "weak” mayor-council form of government which governed all incorporated municipalities during the 19th century. In a "weak" mayor-council system, the mayor has no formal authority outside of the council, he/she cannot appoint and/or remove officials and lacks veto power over council votes. The mayor's influence is solely based on his/her personality in order to accomplish the desired goals.
This elected form of government may be found in small towns in the United States that do not use the more popular council-manager form used in most municipalities that are not considered large or major cities. All of the Council's powers are prescribed by Pennsylvania statutes, particularly the Borough Code. In general, the Council is empowered to adopt ordinances and regulations in the interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents.
Boroughs have a strong and dominant Council and a weak executive. The governing body of the Borough is this elected Council and the executive is the Mayor. The Mayor is elected at large to a 4-year term; Ward elects Council members to 4-year overlapping terms. The powers of the Council are broad and extensive covering virtually the whole range of urban municipal functions.
The Borough of Jersey Shore is divided into four Wards. The Council consists of eight members, each representing one of four wards, two per ward, for 4-year overlapping terms. Municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years. Borough Council appoints the Treasurer, Solicitor, Engineer, Code Enforcement Officer, Secretary, and Manager, all of whom serve at the pleasure of the Council. The members of the various boards and commissions are also appointed by the Council.
The responsibilities of the Council may be viewed by the following functional areas:
Municipal Services
Advisory Boards & Commissions
Taxes, Revenues & Budget
Laws & Regulations
The Council carries out its responsibilities by organizing into the following Committees that focus on planning, policymaking, and oversight in their respective areas:
Finance
Personnel/Public Works/Public Safety
Flood
Building/Grounds/Code
The Borough Manager is the chief administrative officer of the Borough and is responsible to the Council, as a whole, for the proper and efficient administration of the Borough's affairs. The manager supervises and is responsible for the activities of all municipal departments except the police department. The manager hires all personnel except those covered by civil service. As part of his duties and responsibilities, the manager prepares and submits the annual budget to the Borough Council. The manager is responsible for the administration of the budget after its adoption by the Council.
Borough Council meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Jersey Shore Municipal Building.
The Solicitor provides legal advice and represents the Council in legal actions. This is a paid position that is appointed annually. The Solicitor must be licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and may be one person or a law firm. The Solicitor directs and controls all the legal matters of the Borough. The duties of the Solicitor include preparing or approving bonds, contracts, leases, ordinances, and assurances to which the Borough may be a party. The Solicitor commences and prosecutes all actions brought by the Borough for, or on account of any of the estates, rights, trusts, privileges, claims, or demands, as well as defends the Borough or any Borough officer against all actions or suits brought against the Borough. When requested, the Solicitor provides the Board an opinion in writing upon any question of law. Marc Drier, Esquire, Drier Law Office, is the solicitor of the Borough of Jersey Shore. His office is located at 227 Allegheny Street, Jersey Shore, PA 17740. He can be reached at 570-398-2020.
Jersey Shore Borough Council:
1st Ward:
Denise Robbins is a member of the Highway Committee, Codes Committee, and Finance Commission. She can be reached at 570-398-7349. Her term expires in 2025.
Denny Thompson is the Borough Council President Pro-Tem. Denny is a member of the Police Commission and Personnel Committee. He can be reached at 570-220-3199. His term expires in 2027.
2nd Ward:
Jeremy Frantz is a member of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Finance Committee. He can be reached at 570-505-9177. His term expires in 2027.
Barbara Schmouder is Borough Council Vice President. Barbara is a member of the Building and Ground Committee, Codes Committee, Tree Commission, the Jersey Shore Public Library Liaison, and the Jersey Shore Area Joint Water Authority liaison. She can be reached at 570-398-0125. Her term expires in 2025.
3rd Ward:
Molly Hollick can be reached at 570-865-6320. Her term expires in 2025.
Sean Simcox is the Borough Council President. He is the Chair of the Police Commission, and Finance Committee and is also the Jersey Shore Geisinger Hospital Liaison. He can be reached at 570-398-3443. His term expires in 2027.
4th Ward:
Scott Bierly is a member of the Personnel Committee, Highway Committee, and Recreation Committee. He can be reached at 570-660-8542. His term expires in 2027.
Steve Kanski is a member of the Highway Committee, Recreation Committee, Codes Committee, Personnel Committee, and Building and Grounds Committee. He can be reached at 386-624-2211. His term expires in 2025.
Mayor:
Lon Myers is a member of the Recreation Committee and serves as an alternate on the Planning Commission. Lon can be reached at 570-398-1736. His term expires in 2025.
Tax Collector
The Tax Collector is responsible for collecting County and Borough Real Estate taxes and dispersing funds collected correctly to the appropriate entities.
Jersey Shore Borough Tax Collector
Lycoming County
Tax Collection Office
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-327-2274