Local Government Terminology

noun a member of a municipal council or legislative body in a city or town

• The alderman proposed a new ordinance to improve public safety in the community.
• Did you hear about the alderman's plan to renovate the park?
• The alderman is always on top of things, making sure our neighborhood is in good shape.
• She was like the alderman of the group, always organizing and leading the way.

noun a person in a position of authority in a city government, typically a mayor or council member

• The city father was responsible for implementing new policies to improve the urban infrastructure.
• The city father is always seen around town, making sure everything is running smoothly.
• The city father is like the big boss of the city, calling all the shots.
• In a way, the city father symbolizes the strength and leadership of the community.

noun A large building that houses the local government offices and meeting rooms for a city or town.

• The mayor gave a speech at city hall about the new infrastructure project.
• Let's meet at city hall before heading to the event.
• I heard there's a protest happening at city hall tomorrow.
• City hall is like the heart of the community, where decisions are made that affect everyone.

noun A member of a council, especially a city council.

• The councilman proposed a new ordinance at the city council meeting.
• Did you hear what the councilman said at the town hall?
• The councilman is always making moves in the community.
• The councilman's words carried weight in the decision-making process.

noun a geographical division of a state or country, typically larger than a town and smaller than a state

• The county government is responsible for maintaining public services.
• Let's head to the county fair this weekend.
• I heard that new restaurant in the county is lit.
• She was the queen bee of the county social scene.

adjective relating to a city or town, especially its local government

• The municipal government is responsible for maintaining public services such as roads and sanitation.
• The municipal pool is a popular spot for locals to cool off in the summer.
• I heard there's a big party at the municipal park tonight.
• The municipal library is a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be explored.

noun A local governing body, typically a city or town

adjective Relating to a municipality

• The municipality is responsible for maintaining public services such as waste management and road maintenance.
• The municipality is where you go to get your dog license and pay your property taxes.
• I heard the municipality is cracking down on people who don't clean up after their dogs.
• In the grand scheme of things, the municipality acts as the backbone of our community.

noun A member of a board of selectmen, especially in New England towns, who is elected to govern and manage the town's affairs.

• The selectman was responsible for overseeing the town's budget and making decisions on behalf of the community.
• The selectman is basically the person in charge of town stuff.
• The selectman is like the big cheese of the town.
• Being a selectman is like being the captain of a ship, guiding the town in the right direction.

noun a meeting or gathering place for the residents of a town

• The town hall meeting will be held at 7pm in the municipal building.
• Let's meet up at the town hall later to discuss the upcoming event.
• I heard there's a party happening at the town hall tonight.
• The town hall represents the heart of the community where important decisions are made.