Newton operates under the Council-Manager form of municipal government (Plan B), in accordance with the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, as one of 42 municipalities (of the 565) in the state to use this form. This form of government was implemented based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission as of July 1, 1978. The town's governing board is comprised of a five-member Town Council, whose members are chosen at-large in non-partisan elections to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in May of even-numbered years in alternating fashion. The council selects a mayor and deputy mayor from among its members to serve one-year terms of office, at a reorganization meeting held annually in July.