2020 Milford Election Profile: Joshua Lioce For Selectman

MILFORD, MA — The race for Milford Board of Selectmen Chair William Buckley's seat might be the most hotly contested of the 2020 spring election.

Former police chief Thomas O'Loughlin is running against Board of Assessors member Joshua Lioce. It's also the only contested Board of Selectmen race in the April election.

As with each election, Patch has sent candidates running for the School Committee and Board of Selectmen a candidate questionnaire. Here's what Joshua Lioce, 40, told us about why he's running this spring.

Family: Wife Julie Lioce; daughter Ava Rose Lioce; son Nicholas Rocco Lioce
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Brother Rudy Lioce III is an independently elected member of the Milford Sewer Commission.
Education: Associates Degree
Occupation: Owner of Lioce Properties, Inc.
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Current elected member of the Milford Board of Assessors
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/JoshL...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking the open seat for the Board of Selectmen to bring a strong, independent, passionate voice to the board. I want to help change the negative perception that our community has inherited over the past several years. In my work on a weekly basis, I am seeing too many families choosing to live outside of Milford. I am committed to change that perception so that my family and yours can proudly call Milford home for generations to come! My family has been in this town for over 100 years and it has been an amazing Town for all of us. My Great Grandparents settled here in the early 1900’s after coming from Italy through Ellis Island. My Grandparents stayed here, raised their family and my Grandfather started his business here in 1955. My Father took over that business, which he stills runs today. My Father and Mother stayed here and raised their family here. My Brother and I, both business owners here in town, stayed here and grew our families here. I, and my entire family, are invested in this town and truly believe in this town. Now is the time to Move Milford Forward.

The single most pressing issue facing our town is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe we have 2 very pressing issues that need our attention and focus immediately. Overcrowding and unsafe living conditions are becoming a large issue for our town. This has become a larger issue than just a few illegal apartments. I plan on working to increase the Neighborhood Task Force's focus, presence and resources. The sanitary violations and overcrowding issues continue to be a problem for our town and not only affect those families looking to find affordable and safe living conditions, but affect our first responders, our school system, our hospital, and the traffic and parking issues daily. We must have a clear set of goals and objectives for our Task Force and work towards holding property owners accountable. Secondly, I plan on increasing attention on our downtown revitalization. Milford's Downtown is the gateway for business and residents and it needs a long-term strategy to ensure it can thrive as we move into the future. We need to ensure that economic development in our downtown becomes a focus and work to give our taxpayers more options on where to shop, eat and spend time with each other, without having to leave town. A rejuvenated downtown can assist the growth of current businesses while expanding opportunity for new business as well!

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am not looking to point out differences between myself and any other candidate. I am, however, looking to help people understand that the passion that I run with is what will make the difference for our community. I believe strongly in my leadership, my experience and my desire to see Milford to become the best Town it can be. I have successful run a small business for the past 17 years. I have been able to lead and direct my company through the biggest Real Estate downturn since the Great Depression. I have successful been able to create jobs and help my employees and agents fulfill their goals and desires. I am a student of leadership and success and have learned how to become better at helping others succeed. I have successful managed a small business budget of just under a million dollars, without any safety nets, and ensured that through hard work and excellent consumer experience that our employees and agents have been able to earn a positive living and grow each year. I am also proud of my municipal experience and being able to become just as productive in that realm. As a current elected member of the Board of Assessors, I am a member of the town's financial team. I have worked to maintain the sound fiscal position of our Town that so many have worked to achieve over the years. From a fiscal standpoint, we are the envy of hundreds of towns in the Commonwealth. We must remain on course by making sound fiscal decisions while remaining to offer the many services to our residents. It is a balance that will continue if I am elected Selectman. I believe that with my strong experience as a business owner and my experience in the municipal world, I bring a unique and diverse voice to the Board of Selectmen and will be able to provide valuable insight and leadership through real world experience for our Town.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

All of our families whether directly or indirectly have been affected by the Opioid crises that stricken our country and our community. I will do everything possible through the Board of Selectmen's office to work with local, state, and federal organizations to provide the necessary tools to our first responder's and the supporting groups to assist them to do whatever it takes to help combat this issue. I have seen first hand the impact this has had on several families close to my heart and this issue is one that needs as much support and help as we can.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have successful run a small business for the past 17 years. I have been able to lead and direct my company through the biggest Real Estate downturn since the Great Depression. I have successful been able to create jobs and help my employees and agents fulfill their goals and desires. I am a student of leadership and success and have learned how to become better at helping others succeed. I have successful managed a small business budget of just under a million dollars, without any safety nets, and ensured that through hard work and excellent consumer experience that our employees and agents have been able to earn a positive living and grow each year. I am also proud of my municipal experience and being able to become just as productive in that realm. As a current elected member of the Board of Assessors, I am a member of the town's financial team. I have worked to maintain the sound fiscal position of our Town that so many have worked to achieve over the years. From a fiscal standpoint, we are the envy of hundreds of towns in the Commonwealth. We must remain on course by making sound fiscal decisions while remaining to offer the many services to our residents. It is a balance that will continue if I am elected Selectman.

I believe that with my strong experience as a business owner and my experience in the municipal world, I bring a unique and diverse voice to the Board of Selectmen and will be able to provide valuable insight and leadership through real world experience for our Town.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My interest in public service started years ago. While attending college, I was hired as the first Director of the Milford Youth Center. I spent 2 years there as a young man working to help create the Youth Center you see today. From there I was elected as a Town Meeting Member and still serve as one today. I am a proud member of the Downtown Revitalization Committee and have worked for the past 2+ years to help get the Downtown Revitalization started. I helped the town obtain $270,000 in state aid over the past 2 years with close work with state Sen. Ryan Fattman's office. This is something I am VERY proud off and will continue to work hard in any position to assist our town. I am very active in our community and have enjoyed heading up our charitable wing of Lioce Properties, Inc. Over the past 10 years our charitable committee has given back over $100,000 to area organizations. Affiliations and Community:

• Active Board Member of the Milford Board of Assessor’s.
• Active Town Meeting Member for the Town of Milford, Precinct 6.
• Active Member of the Milford Downtown Revitalization Committee
• Corporator and an Advisory Board Member at the Charles River Bank.
• Corporator for the Milford Regional Medical Center
• President and Member of the Greater Milford Social Club
• Past President and Current Member of the Milford Rotary Club
• Member and Brother Mason at the John Warren Lodge
• Member of the Friends of the Milford Area Special Athletes