STONE HARBOR – The borough has announced the appointment of Cynthia L. Lindsay as its new chief financial officer. Lindsay replaces James Craft, who has been the borough’s part-time CFO for over a decade.

Lindsay marks a departure for the borough in that she will be a full-time employee. The borough has not had a full-time CFO since before Craft assumed his part-time position.

Lindsay has had a varied career in state and municipal finance, serving as CFO and purchasing agent for Hamilton and as comptroller and assistant CFO for Atlantic City. She has also served as assistant director of local government services for the state.

Stone Harbor Councilwoman Jennifer Gensemer, who serves as chair of the council’s administration and finance committee, said, “Cynthia brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will be invaluable in addressing Stone Harbor’s fiscal sustainability.”

Gensemer said Lindsay will begin her tenure in Stone Harbor in early May, allowing for an overlap with Craft during his final month before retirement.

At the council meeting Tuesday, April 2, Craft presented the 2024 borough budget, which had been introduced two weeks earlier.

The first budget that listed Craft as the borough CFO was in 2015, making the 2024 budget his 10th for Stone Harbor. He also is the CFO of neighboring Avalon. He served as CFO for Stone Harbor through a shared services agreement between the two municipalities.

Earlier in the meeting the council passed a resolution adding the position of CFO to the borough’s salary ordinance. The salary range set was for a minimum of $120,000 and a maximum of $165,000.

By the time Craft departs, the 2024 municipal budget will have been adopted. The public hearing on the budget and the vote to adopt it are scheduled for April 16. The budget has some controversy attached to it since it provides for no raises for non-union employees. Other spending and the need to stay within the state caps appear to have ruled out raises except where existing contracts require them.

In brief remarks following the vote on her appointment, Lindsay said she was “humbled” and “overwhelmed” by the kind words about her. She said she looks forward to serving the borough “in my best capacity.”

Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.