What exactly is a township or a borough?

For example, I used to work in the Township of Ewing (NJ), although, our mailing address was Trenton (or West Trenton). The way a guy at work explained it was...it's like a borough. Not quite a full-blown city per se. But I admit, this was a bit confusing. Like now, I live across Poquessing Creek from the Village of Andalusia, although it is also considered Bensalem Township (and has a Bensalem address). I'm just a bit confused though--is a township an actual governing body, like a city or town?

Yes, beyond cities and towns, there are townships, which are just areas; I think there are about 15 townships in Montgomery County. Then there are boroughs, which are, I think, places not big enough to be cities but fairly dense.

There are also different classes of townships, which mean differences in how the council is set up and what it gets paid and what it can do, etc.

I don't think villages are a recognized form of local government in PA.

All of this stuff (and much more) is outlined in the "Pennsylvania Manual". Which can be gotten for free by asking your local State Assemblyperson or Senator. Of which you have one of each. You just call their office and they have one sent to you. It's a big ol' reference book!

You mean you've been living here for how long and you don't have a manual? Geez, how have you managed?

I was faking it by reading the Inky/Daily News and watching NBC10, along with playing around on Philly's and PA's websites. Damn, and I was doing so well too!