Worcester assessor leaving for Conn.

WORCESTER - City Assessor William J. Ford has resigned to take a similar job in Connecticut, according to city officials.

Ford, who was city assessor for 10 years, stepped down Tuesday after accepting a new job in Norwalk, Connecticut.

In notifying Mayor Joseph M. Petty and the City Council of Ford's resignation, City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. said the city will immediately begin the search for a new city assessor.

In the interim, he said, John Valade, principal assistant assessor, will serve as acting city assessor.

He added that Thomas F. Zidelis, the city's chief financial officer, will continue to oversee the functions of the assessor's office.

No timetable has been set for hiring a new assessor.

Ford was hired as city assessor in 2009 by then City Manager Michael V. O'Brien. He succeeded Robert J. Allard, who had been city assessor from 2002 to 2009.

Augustus said Ford has been responsible for assessments of more than 47,000 real estate parcels and more than 5,200 personal property estates throughout the city.

During Ford's tenure, the manager said, he enhanced the assessor's office use of technology to manage database applications and different models of assessing to achieve the tasks of mass appraisals.

"We appreciate his stewardship over the last 10 years and wish him well in his future endeavors," Augustus said.

The mission of the Assessing Division is to value real and personal property efficiently, fairly and accurately, in accordance with state laws; to administer motor vehicle excise, exemption, and abatement programs; and to address concerns of the public regarding assessments.

The Assessing Division has a total of 10 employees and its budget for this fiscal year is $778,389, according to the city budget.

The salary this fiscal year for the assessor's position is $122,375.