Montclair Town Manager Joseph Hartnett Dies: ‘Honor And Integrity’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair’s temporary town manager died last weekend, just over a week before he was due to pass the torch to a new interim town manager.

Joseph Hartnett – who previously served as town manager before being hired back on a temporary basis in July at a salary of $1 per week – also served as the executive managing director at Government Strategy Group. He was regarded as “one of the most progressive and inventive public-sector managers in New Jersey,” his firm says.

Montclair Township officials posted a message of condolence on social media. It read:

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Joseph Hartnett’s sudden passing. He was a member of the Montclair family, having served our community as town manager from 2003-2010 and again recently as interim manager. His family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Mayor Sean Spiller also issued a message of condolence in the wake of Harnett's passing, writing that he was deeply saddened by the news of the death of a member of the “Montclair family.”

“His family is is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Spiller said.

Councilman Peter Yacobellis said Hartnett was a “man of unquestionable honor and integrity.”

“I'm comforted in knowing that Joe had full confidence in Michael Lapolla, who will now take the reigns as we accelerate his appointment effective later today,” Yacobellis said Monday. “I also take great comfort in knowing that Joe died in his favorite place, down the shore, with his wife Georgia of 35 years.”

“The council will have an emergency meeting this afternoon by conference call, to accelerate Michael's appointment to be effective immediately,” Yacobellis added. “I've spoken with Mayor Spiller and I've spoken with Mr. Lapolla and have asked him to be in Montclair tomorrow to host an emergency department heads meeting.”

Lapolla was previously set to take over as interim town manager on Aug. 14, while the search for a permanent manager continues. When Lapolla takes the reins, Montclair will have had four people occupy the town manager’s seat within the past five months. Read More: Winds Of Change Shake Up Montclair Town Government – Again

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