Nutley’s annual Student Government Day returned April 14 and the Board of Commissioners welcomed Nutley High School students to get an inside look at the responsibilities of a Township employee!

Throughout the morning, students from all grade levels not only got to see what goes into the day-to-day responsibilities of an entire municipal government, but gained a better understanding into how their hometown runs on a personal level for each staff member. Students were assigned a “municipal counterpart” to shadow from one of the five departments of Nutley’s government. 

In addition to being split between the Departments of Public Affairs and Health, Public Safety, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Revenue and Finance, students also spent time with specific mentors within each sector. One student recounted his time learning about permits, licenses, and Open Public Records Act requests with Municipal Clerk Eleni Pettas. Another excitedly presented her new knowledge on the history and biology of the town’s trees from Nutley’s Shade Tree Forester John Linson.

After spending the day learning from each Commissioner and their department, the students reconvened in the town’s courtroom to reflect and present their findings to their peers. Each group reported not only learning much more about the town than they knew before, but also a better comprehension of public service and the purpose that municipal work provides. Many students ended their presentation with the thought that they didn’t realize just how many steps and how many people were involved with each part of their town.

At the end of the day, the Commissioners presented each student in their group with a certificate for their contribution to the annual event.

The Board of Commissioners each expressed their admiration for the enthusiasm of the 2026 Student Government Day cohort. Mayor John V. Kelly, III remarked to the room at the end of the event, “There’s an underestimation with this generation that young people are apathetic. Not with these students. This group was engaged, hard-working, and passionate. They are the future leaders of our town and that future is caring, hopeful, and bright.”