Stone Harbor’s New Business Administrator Listens to Learn About Borough’s History, Challenges, and “Unique Character”
Stone Harbor’s New Business Administrator Listens to Learn About Borough’s History, Challenges, and “Unique Character”
STONE HARBOR, N.J. — (July 14, 2025) — Joe Clark expects the first week on his new job to be pretty quiet. Sure, there’s a lot to learn and plenty of people around to welcome him and offer their help in his new role. He warmly accepts their best wishes and values their perspectives.
So far, he’s not saying much. He’s listening.
Clark started work today as the new business administrator in Stone Harbor, N.J. An attorney by profession, he traded his decades in commercial litigation about eight years ago to become the in-house counsel in Howell Township, Monmouth County. His five-year stint as township solicitor led to his appointment as administrator there.
Despite the career change, Clark readily melds his legal and municipal experience. He explains, “I get to use legal training multiple times a day” in managing local government services.
Although Howell and Stone Harbor are very different municipalities in terms of land use, area, population and demographics, Clark’s approach to his new colleagues and duties will be the same as before: he’ll listen closely to learn more about issues, challenges and context.
And he’ll make decisions collaboratively with borough council and department heads. “I want to listen first; I’m not thinking that I know more than other people” who have wrestled first-hand with the challenges of a shore town with a seasonal swell in population.
When a decision is up to him, he’ll weigh all the information and viewpoints, and decide. “I own that decision,” he says. “I’m not a finger-pointer; I take responsibility.”
Clark’s decision-making is guided by three key factors. “First, I want to keep my fingers on the pulse of the community. Municipal leaders are all focused on constituent services.
“Second, it’s important to know your team. Fortunately, Stone Harbor has a very professional and experienced team,” including some key leaders who have devoted their careers to the borough.
And third, underscoring the point, “a good leader is a good listener.”
The recently-enacted municipal budget will be Clark’s first focus. “There’s a lot to be gained from studying the budget,” he says. Getting a handle on the borough’s finances, debt obligations, state budget caps, tax structure, departments’ operating budgets and a host of other expenses, is a challenge by itself. Understanding the complexity requires “taking one bite at a time.”
Clark already knows important characteristics of Stone Harbor. He observes, “There’s a history to it. There are reasons people have come here over the years, and still come here. Everyone appreciates Stone Harbor’s unique character as a community and they want to preserve it and make it even better.”
Even as he starts his first week on the job, Clark also values the special qualities of Stone Harbor. In his words, “there’s a ‘Stone Harbor-ness’ that shouldn’t be touched. I want always to respect that, and work to enhance it.”
Enhancing it will utilize all of Clark’s legal training, listening skills, support from his colleagues, business owners, local residents and visitors. Judging from his first day on the job, Clark embraces his new role. “I’m feeling like I’m firing on all cylinders.”
Borough Administrator Joe Clark is Sworn in by Mayor Tim Carney
Newly-appointed business administrator Joe Clark (right) accepts congratulations from Mayor Tim Carney during Clark's swearing-in ceremony at the borough's July 1 council meeting. Clark began his new duties July 14.
