Beacon Falls tax collector retires

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BEACON FALLS — The town’s longtime tax collector has stepped down from her elected position, citing health reasons.

Mildred “Millie” Jurzynski, 79, a Democrat who was reelected as tax collector last November, resigned Sunday for purposes of retirement.

The Board of Selectmen on Monday unanimously accepted Jurzynski’s notice of retirement. Jurzynski submitted her notice dated Sept. 30 to the selectmen.

“I have experienced several recent and significant changes to my health that I feel will impact my ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position to the standards I expect of myself,” Jurzynski wrote.

She said in the letter that it has been an honor to serve Beacon Falls and its residents, and is “deeply grateful” to the people who have shown their trust and confidence in her.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Jurzynski said her doctor advised her to take some time off. So she decided to retire, she said.

She said she will miss working at Town Hall.

“I like working with people,” Jurzynski said. “I like being with people.”

Jurzynski was first elected as tax collector in November 2003, and was most recently elected to a fifth two-year term in November 2011, according to town officials.

Before she was elected tax collector, Jurzynski worked for 14 years managing the Beacon Mill Village. Previous to that, she owned her own women’s dress store in Seymour.

Beside serving as tax collector, Jurzynski also held posts on the Board of Finance and Board of Education and volunteered in the community including four times as president of St. Michael’s Ladies’ Guild.

“Millie Jurzynski’s able service to the town of Beacon Falls as tax collector for nearly 10 years was only the latest example of her selfless service to our community, spanning over half a century,” said Kathy Grace, chair of the Democratic Town Committee, in a prepared statement.

Grace added that Jurzynski is also widely known for her legendary clam chowder, which she sold at town events.

Now Jurzynski said she plans to stay home and spend time with her husband, Raymond, who also is retired, she said. Next year, they will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

First Selectman Gerard Smith said the selectmen will be appointing a new tax collector in the near future. That person would serve until the next municipal election in 2013, he said.

Assistant Tax Collector Linda Holt assumed Jurzynski’s duties on Monday, he said. It’s an expansion of her duties, not a title change, Smith said.

Holt will continue to receive her normal pay, he said. Under the 2012-13 budget, she is paid $40,149 a year, according to town officials.