SPRINGFIELD — Richard J. Allen, longtime chairman of the Board of Assessors in Springfield, retired recently, culminating nearly 39 years of employment with the city.

Allen, of Springfield, retired effective April 21, according to the mayor’s office.

His salary at the time of retirement was $120,234 as the full-time department head in the Assessors’ Office. Prior to being chairman, Allen served as a member of the three-member Board of Assessors, among other city positions, the mayor’s office said.

“I am very appreciative of Richie’s long time dedicated efforts to our City,” Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said in a statement. “I wish him and his wife Kathy good health and luck in his much deserved retirement.”

Allen was first hired by the city on July 6, 1982.

Sarno said a review underway to fill Allen’s position.

All three assessors are full-time city employees and are appointed by the chief administrative and financial officer with approval by the mayor, officials said. The chairman is chosen by vote of the board, said William Baker, the city’s communications director.

The other two city assessors are Matthew Fontaine and Patrick Greenhalgh.

The Assessor’s Department assesses real estate, personal property and motor vehicles for tax purposes, according to its website.

The department annually produces tax bills, with the assistance of the departments of Information Technology and City Collectors, on approximately 42,000 real estate parcels, 3,000 personal property accounts and more than 100,000 vehicles, the website states. Its main objective is “to establish assessed values that are accurate, fair and equitable,” the site states.

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Originally Appeared On: https://www.masslive.com/news/2021/04/springfield-board-of-assessors-chairman-richard-allen-retires-after-39-year-career-with-city.html