1945-
Evelyn Laccitiello worked for the Newark Tax Assessor’s Office for for 47 years! She was appointed as a clerk stenographer in 1964 and retired in 2011, as Tax Assessor for Newark.
Born in Newark, Evelyn lived in Florida briefly before returning to New Jersey and attending Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Newark.
Evelyn began her work with the City of Newark in the Tax Assessor’s Office on July 15, 1964, as a Clerk Stenographer. In 1989, she was honored by the Boys and Girls Club as Woman of the Year. She also received a plaque for dedication from the Essex County Assessor’s Association, of which she’d been Secretary, in 1990.
In 1990, Evelyn also took part in a mentorship program for Newark students. By the 1990s, Evelyn was also President of Newark Council 21, representing 1100 municipal workers.
In 1995, Mayor James nominated Evelyn as City Tax Assessor. At the time she was Chief Assistant Assessor. He said she was, “talented, dedicated, capable and knows the job thoroughly.” She was reappointed in 1999 and worked independently of the Mayor, City Council and Business Administrator.
Evelyn remained in the position until her retirement in 2011. At retirement, she received a city resolution for her long term service.
Evelyn lived in the North Ward at 380 Mount Prospect Avenue, and later moved to West Orange.
It is unclear how many other women, if any, have ever served the position of Tax Asessor.
Bibliography
https://archive.org/details/JamesBooker299, Cory Booker and Sharpe James Photo Collection, Charles F Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Public Library
“Frank R LaFera” Star Ledger Jul 7, 1947
1950 Federal Census
Our Lady of Good Counsel yearbooks, ancestry.com, 1960, 1962
“Club Hails Woman of the Year” Star Ledger Mar 20, 1989
Kukla, Barbara, “Inagural Extravagenza” Star Ledger Jul 9, 1990
Branch, Linda “Municipal workers…” Star Ledger Apr 30, 1990
“County assessor installs officers” Belleville Times Jun 7, 1990
“Shortfall may force…” Star Ledger Nov 27, 1991
“Mayor Names Deputy as Newark Assessor” Star Ledger May 3, 1995
Stewart, Nikita, “Newark toasts to success stories” Star Ledger Jul 29, 1999