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Select Board greets new Director of Assessing Julie Castor Diaz; board seeks stability after a turbulent season
Summary
Julie Castor Diaz, appointed director of assessing a month earlier, was introduced to the Select Board. Members thanked staff for handling an unusually heavy abatement season and said they expect the new director to help reassure taxpayers and close outstanding cases.
Select Board members introduced and welcomed Julie Castor Diaz as the Town of Needham’s new Director of Assessing. Castor Diaz said she started about a month earlier and brings roughly a decade of municipal assessing experience, including work in Boston, Brockton and most recently as director of assessing in Stoughton.
Board members said the office has had a difficult abatement season and expressed appreciation for the assessing staff who managed a heavy caseload during the transition. They asked Castor Diaz to prioritize public education about valuation versus tax rate and to continue clearing the existing case backlog. Castor Diaz said she has been meeting with staff weekly, is reviewing the caseload and expects to continue outreach to property owners to explain valuation and levy processes.
The board asked for a report on progress as the office resolves remaining abatement cases.
