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Date: 8/25/2021
CHICOPEE – With less than three months until the annual city elections, two residents have submitted nomination papers for the two open, three-year seats on the Chicopee Assessor Board.
Current Assessors Laura McCarthy and Brian William Suchy are running for election on Nov. 2.
Reminder Publishing reached out to both candidates, asking for a self-written introduction to present to the city. As we move closer to the election, Reminder Publishing will be conducting a question-and-answer interview with each candidate to discuss specific town issues and their viewpoints on each issue.
Laura McCarthy
I have been honored to serve as your assessor in the city of Chicopee for over 23 years. I am a graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and a law degree from New England School of Law. I practiced law in Chicopee for more than ten years and have served on many boards and committees in the city. I am currently a member of the Chicopee St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the Chicopee Democratic Committee, and a parishioner at St. Annes. I am a widow with a wonderful son who recently graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School with a certificate in Culinary Arts and will be attending Holyoke Community College’s Culinary Arts program in the fall. My parents are Regina Sullivan and the late James McCarthy.
Most people are not aware of the many roles and responsibilities of an assessor. Our job requires the accurate collection of data for real and personal properties, the measurement and assessment of new residential and commercial properties, the management of motor vehicle excise tax bills and the promotion and implementation of tax assistance programs that can help veterans and certain people who are over 65.
The assessors are an important part of the city’s financial team and play an integral role in promoting the effective fiscal management of the city. By accurately valuing 875 business personal property accounts and over 18,000 parcels of real estate at the market standard and methodically calculating new growth, the assessors assist in maximizing the resources available to fund municipal services. We also prepare the paperwork and analysis for the City Council to set the tax shift, and work with the auditor to set the tax rate in compliance with Department of Revenue laws and regulations.
During my time as an assessor, I have analyzed court cases and changing state laws in order to implement varying methods of assessment for cell phone companies, gas utility companies and solar farms. I have determined values and estimates of taxes for tax increment financing agreements that attract development to our city, and I have encouraged the implementation of the Geographic Information System mapping system that is currently on the cities website. I was also a part of the initial implementation of the TAX ADE program for disabled and elderly homeowners and the Senior Work Off Program.
I have been a Massachusetts Accredited Assessor since 2002. I continually attend classes to maintain my certification and to ensure that I am up to date on the latest assessing trends, valuation techniques, court cases and changing state laws.
I enjoy being an assessor, as the job uses my legal and communication skills on a daily basis. I particularly enjoy helping our elderly residents with exemption applications and speaking directly with taxpayers to help them understand the tax laws, what they are being taxed on and where those tax dollars go. I humbly ask for your vote on Nov. 2.
Brian William Suchy
My name is Brian W. Suchy and I am seeking a 5th term as one of your City of Chicopee assessors. I am married to Joyce Londravillesuchy, a retired educator of over 31 years within the Chicopee school system. We have one daughter, Carolyn, who graduated from Chicopee High and Springfield College, and is currently working for the Department of Defense and serving in the United States Air Force as a reservist. I am extremely proud of her and those who serve in the military.
Being a lifelong Chicopee resident, I graduated from Chicopee High School, moved onto Thompson Academy for post graduate work, and then, to AIC where I obtained a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a minor in accounting. I worked for General Motors Acceptance Corporation in the Finance Department for over 18 years. I also have extensive managerial experience by working for Pioneer Management Systems/Woodbrook Insurance Agency as a health insurance administrator for 30+ years.
Eight years ago, the opportunity arose to serve on the Chicopee Board of Assessors. It has been an honor to serve you as your Assessor. I continue to attend educational conferences and workshops in order to advance my knowledge and have successfully accomplished what is required to be a Department of Revenue Certified Assessor. I mention this because attending these classes and workshops is extremely important as the DOR requirements are getting more complex.
My parents were great teachers, they taught me to work hard and to do the right thing. Being an assessor, the right thing is fair and equitable taxes for both residential and commercial taxpayers. It's very rewarding helping our seniors, veterans, the blind and surviving spouses receive real estate exemptions that they deserve. With a great office staff assisting the Assessors, we are consistently working on programs that are benefaicial to Chicopee residents who need help.
At this time, as one of your current assessors, I'm asking for your vote on Election Day Nov. 2. Once again, my name is Brian W. Suchy, I will be number two on the ballot, and I thank you for your support.