The Township of Hillside operates under the Mayor-Council Plan of the Faulkner Act. This particular plan is a "strong mayor" form of government. It is a "presidential" system of government, modeled after the federal and state governments. The Mayor serves as the chief executive, and the Council as the municipal legislature. This allows the Mayor to be the appointing authority with some appointments requiring advising and consent of the Council, while other privileges of the Mayor are solely governed by the executive authority of the seat. "Strong Mayor, weak council".
