Norwalk Tax Assessor, Assistant Tax Assessor Resign, Mayor Says

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling Monday announced that he had accepted letters of resignation from Norwalk Tax Assessor Michael Stewart and Assistant Tax Assessor William O'Brien, moves that will let him "transform the Assessor's office."

Stewart will be retiring on Friday, Aug. 30, while O'Brien will begin work soon in another municipality. The Hour writes that O'Brien's last day was Aug. 9.

While thanking both for their their years in public service, made it clear that their departures will usher in a new era for a department that will be "more responsive to the public" in the future.

"I typically do not comment on personnel matters, however, I felt it was important to let
the public know this department is heading in a new direction," Rilling said in a statement. "These changes provide me with the unique opportunity to transform the Assessor's office. This department will be more responsive to the public going forward through improved customer service and communication."

Reportedly, the mayor was not happy about how the city's most recent property revaluation was handled by the department, in which some information was not clearly explained to residents and businesses.

Additionally, the timing of the resignations allows Rilling and the department to move in a more transparent direction because "the 2018 Grand List has been finalized for the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Operating Budget and the subsequent reporting of the Grand List has been submitted to the state Office of Policy and Management."

A national search is underway for a new Tax Assessor and Assistant Tax Assessor, Rilling said, and in the interim, the administration is working to bring on a retired tax assessor to oversee the department and be part of the hiring process.

Until a interim Tax Assessor is in place, Norwalk's Chief Financial Officer Henry Dachowitz will be handling the day-to-day operations of the department, and Stewart will be available during this transition period to assist as needed.

"I wish Michael well in retirement and Bill the best of luck in the next chapter of his career," Rilling said.