Photo Credit: Montclair Township
Stephen D. Marks took on the role of township manager on April 1, 2025.
Montclair’s New Township Manager Stephen Marks Lays Out Priorities, Budget Plans, and Hopes for Montclair
Stephen D. Marks may be just weeks into his role as Montclair’s new township manager, but he’s no stranger to the town. With deep family ties—his grandmother was born here, his second date with his wife was at the Wellmont Theater, and his childhood memories are peppered with ice cream trips to Applegate Farms—Marks says returning to Montclair in a leadership capacity feels like “a natural fit.”
In an interview on The Montclair Pod, Marks described the town as “incredibly vibrant” and praised its passionate, engaged residents. The former Hudson County administrator and urban planner has stepped into the township’s top administrative role during a critical time: Montclair’s $107 million municipal budget is under development, and the town is grappling with aging infrastructure, high property taxes, and increasing demands for transparency and public safety.
A CEO for Montclair
As township manager, Marks serves as the chief operating officer of the town—responsible for day-to-day operations, overseeing department heads, and preparing the municipal budget. He’s quick to clarify, however, that while he runs the administration, he doesn’t set policy. “The township manager works for the mayor and council,” he said. “They hold the purse strings. I bring legislative issues to them for decisions.”
Marks arrived just as the annual budget was being finalized and has focused his early efforts on ensuring a “participatory and transparent” process. The township recently held public departmental presentations, giving residents an inside look at spending priorities across police, fire, recreation, and health services. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for June 3.
Infrastructure in Crisis
Pressed about pressing needs, Marks was unequivocal: “The town needs a budget. All hands are on deck.” But he also acknowledged Montclair’s aging infrastructure, noting that some town facilities—like the Clary Anderson Arena and police department building—are “functionally obsolete and structurally deficient.”
Marks revealed that the roof over the utility room at Clary Anderson is leaking directly into an electrical subpanel, calling it “a life safety issue.” The town has hired an architect to assess the building and provide cost estimates for repairs. Whether the township continues investing in the facility—or starts fresh—is a pending decision for the council.
Managing Risk, Containing Costs
With property taxes in Montclair averaging more than double the state average—$21,631 vs. New Jersey’s $10,095—Marks emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline. “I treat every property tax dollar as if it’s my own,” he said. “Watch the pennies, and the dollars will watch themselves.”
While he refrained from calling out specific examples of frivolous spending, Marks said he’s reviewing all line items and aims to keep tax increases under 2%. The proposed budget comes in at 1.98%.
New Roles, New Priorities
One major addition in this year’s budget is funding for a new Complete Streets Director—a senior-level hire focused on improving traffic safety. “Coming to the suburbs, I’m shocked at how aggressive some drivers are,” Marks said, adding that the position will help address long-standing concerns about crosswalks, speeding, and street infrastructure.
The township also faces growing concern around the unhoused. While Marks says there’s currently no dedicated line item in the budget to address this, he acknowledged it as a “legislative policy issue” the council may opt to fund—perhaps through the creation of a coordinator role or support services.
“I treat every property tax dollar as if it’s my own,” he said. “Watch the pennies, and the dollars will watch themselves.”
Stephen Marks
Montclair Township President
Clarifying Roles and Misconceptions
One common misconception? That the township manager can solve every resident complaint. Marks pointed out that many issues—like parking, traffic studies, or services for the unhoused—require legislative action by the council. “We can only enforce laws that are on the books,” he said. “If there’s no corresponding ordinance, our hands are tied.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, Marks says he’s energized by Montclair’s spirit and community. He and his wife, frequent visitors for decades, have been enjoying local businesses like Paper Plane, Laboratorio Kitchen, and Montclair Book Center. While they’ve explored the idea of relocating to Montclair full-time, Marks says affordability is a barrier: “I don’t know how people afford homes here.”
As for what’s next, Marks is focused on stabilizing the town’s finances, enhancing public safety, and preparing Montclair for the future—without losing sight of its character. “I love communities that are firing on all cylinders,” he said. “And I want to make Montclair even better—for residents, workers, and visitors alike.”
