Mayor, Council, Municipal Departments & Resident Services
Jenkintown operates under the borough form of government established under Pennsylvania's Borough Code. The borough is governed by a seven-member elected council and a separately elected mayor. Administrative functions are managed by a borough manager who reports to council.
As one of Pennsylvania's smaller boroughs — 0.59 square miles and fewer than 5,000 residents — Jenkintown maintains an unusually direct relationship between residents and their elected officials. Council members are accessible and known personally to a significant portion of the community, which is a meaningful practical difference from larger municipal governments.
Borough (PA Borough Code)
7 elected members, 4-year staggered terms
Separately elected, 4-year term
Borough Manager appointed by council
The seven-member Jenkintown Borough Council is the legislative body for the borough. Council sets policy, adopts the annual budget, levies taxes, and oversees all municipal departments. Members are elected by ward on staggered four-year terms at general elections.
Council meetings are open to the public and held monthly. Residents may address council during the public comment period. For current council membership, meeting schedules, and agendas, visit jenkintownboro.com.
Under Pennsylvania's Borough Code, the mayor's role is primarily executive and ceremonial. The mayor serves as the chief peace officer of the borough, has supervisory authority over the police department, and presides at council meetings — though the mayor votes only to break ties. Day-to-day administration runs through the borough manager.
In a small borough like Jenkintown, however, the practical influence of the mayor often exceeds the formal job description. A hands-on mayor who knows the community, attends local events, and maintains relationships with department heads and neighboring municipalities can shape borough character and responsiveness in ways that a more detached approach cannot.
Jenkintown has been served by a succession of elected mayors across its 150-year history as an incorporated borough. Most have been local businesspeople, professionals, and long-term residents who brought community relationships to the role rather than political career ambitions.
Among Jenkintown's mayors, Ed Foley is widely regarded as one of the most effective the borough has seen. Known for a hands-on approach and genuine investment in the community, Foley engaged directly with residents and municipal operations in ways that went beyond the ceremonial obligations of the role. His tenure is remembered for attentiveness to the day-to-day concerns that shape quality of life in a small borough — the kind of issues that often go unaddressed when elected officials remain at arm's length from the neighborhoods they govern.
For a complete history of Jenkintown's elected officials, the borough clerk's office maintains historical records at the municipal building on Summit Avenue.
Borough council meets monthly. Additional meetings of the planning commission, zoning hearing board, and other bodies are scheduled throughout the year. All meetings are open to the public; advance notice is posted at the municipal building and on the borough website.
Residents wishing to address council should arrive before the meeting begins and sign up during the public comment period. Written comments can also be submitted to the borough clerk in advance.
Current meeting schedules: jenkintownboro.com
Common services available through Jenkintown Borough include:
Most routine requests are handled through the borough's main contact line or the online form at jenkintownboro.com.
700 Summit Avenue
Jenkintown, PA 19046
911
Office hours vary by department. Confirm current hours on the borough website before visiting, particularly for permit and clerk functions.
Source: jenkintownboro.com
PUBLIC WORKS See a maintenance issue around the Borough? Please use this form to report it to the Public Works Department. Public Works Staff Kenneth Riggins | Public Works Foreman Pat Smith Raheem Cooper Mark Fregoni Anthony McAlister Hours 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM | Monday through Friday Please contact the Administration Department with any inquires regarding the Public Works Department at 215.885.0700 (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Monday -Friday). Special / Bulk Trash Collection Special collections will take place the first and third Wednesday of every month. You can schedule a special/bulk item collection by calling 215-885-0700 or email [email protected] and provide your address, item to be collected and contact information (i.e. phone/email). Payment can be made by mailing a check to Borough Hall at 700 Summit Avenue, Jenkintown, PA 19046, placing payment in the mail slot in the front door of Borough Hall, arranging for a porch pick up on the day of your scheduled collection or payments can be made online or by phone with a credit card, however a service fee will be applied by the card service company which may make this method less favorable. Please contact the Borough Office NO LATER than Mondays at 3:00 PM before the pick-up date to schedule and pay for a special collection. All Special Collections must be paid for in advance. This is a non-refundable charge. Please note that televisions are no longer collected by the Borough through the special pick-up program. Click here for the Borough’s special collection fee schedule. If your item is not listed please call Borough Hall for pricing. Click here for a list of scheduled Community Electronic Collections in Montgomery County. This list offers a list of electronic collections available to the public. Street Lights To report a Street Light Problem, contact Borough Hall at 215-885-0700 or use the Public Works Form listed above. The Public Works Dept. will make the necessary repairs. Trash Collection Curbside Trash Republic Services has requested that all trash continue to be placed at the curb in tightly sealed plastic bags or tightly sealed metal or plastic containers with lids to ensure the safety of their workers. Curbside trash collection is provided each Friday with the exception of major holidays. During the week of some major holidays, trash may be delayed ONE day until Saturday. Notice will be given. Trash shall be collected between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm. All
Source: jenkintownboro.com/public-works