Town Employee Promoted To Assistant Tax Assessor In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — Katie Lam, an assessment technician for the town Assessor's Office, was promoted to assistant tax assessor following an approval from the Board of Selectmen during their meeting Tuesday.

Cheryl Pickering Jones, the town's personnel director, said during the meeting Lam applied for the role in light of Deputy Assessor Susan McCaughey's planned retirement after 20 years with the town.

Jones said the opening was only posted internally, due to it being a union position, and Lam was the sole applicant.

"She is in the process of taking certain certifications under the state," Jones said. "Once she completes her last certification, which should be within the next year, we would recommend then she be moved to the deputy assessor [position]."

She also noted the town assessor, Sebastian Caldarella, and CFO, Lunda Asmani, were fully on board with Lam's selection.

Caldarella said Lam has worked in the Assessor's Office for nearly two years. He also noted filling McCaughey's shoes would be difficult.

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan also spoke highly of McCaughey.

"Susan was great," Moynihan said, "great worker and a great employee, and we wish her well in her retirement."

In addition to unanimously approving Lam's promotion, the board also approved McCaughey staying on part-time through the end of the year to help with the transition.

"As I've said, [McCaughey] has been with us for 20 years," Jones said. "There's a lot of knowledge there, and she has agreed to stay on through the end of the year to help the transition with [Lam] and whoever we bring in in Katie's position.