As used in this act, unless the context requires another or different meaning:
a. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Community Affairs;
b. "Consolidated municipality" means the single new municipality that results from an affirmative consolidation effort pursuant to the provisions of this act;
c. "Consolidation commission," or "commission," means a joint municipal consolidation study commission created pursuant to the provisions of this act;
d. "Department" means the Department of Community Affairs;
e. "Eligible consolidated municipality" means a municipality consolidated pursuant to the provisions of this act under a plan approved by the department; and,
f. "Participating municipalities" means any two or more municipalities involved in a consolidation effort, or which have been consolidated together into a consolidated municipality, pursuant to the provisions of this act.