Taxes, Traffic and Safety. How Montclair Really Works. A Conversation the New Town Manager

Season 2 of The Montclair Pod kicks off with a deep dive into the heart of local government. Who actually runs Montclair? Where do our property taxes go? And what’s really happening behind the scenes at places like Clary Anderson Arena?

Hosts Farnoosh, Ali, and Mike sit down with Montclair’s newly appointed Township Manager, Stephen Marks, for answers. Marks, a lifelong New Jersey public servant with roots in South Orange and a deep appreciation for Montclair, shares how his job functions like the town’s CEO—managing a $107 million budget, overseeing departments from public safety to recreation, and balancing a long list of resident demands.

From leaking roofs to high taxes, Marks pulls back the curtain on what it takes to maintain aging infrastructure, respond to hundreds of community emails, and stretch every tax dollar. The episode also touches on the differences between Montclair’s municipal budget and the school budget, why the town is hiring a new Complete Streets Director, and how federal grant cuts could impact future services.

Plus, we'll hear directly from residents about their biggest concerns and what they wish they understood better about how the town works.

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