Milford 2021 Candidate Profile: Josh Lioce For Board Of Assessors

MILFORD, MA — There are five contested races in the 2021 Milford spring election, including for a seat on the Board of Assessors.

Incumbent Josh Lioce is ending his first four-year term, and is facing a challenge from resident James Wheelock. Milford Patch has asked both candidates to fill out our 2021 questionnaire to help voters get to know them better. Here's how Lioce answered:

Josh Lioce

Age (as of Election Day): 41
Position Sought: Board of Assessors
Family: Wife, Julie (Orczyk) Lioce; Daughter, Ava Rose, 14; Son, Nicholas Rocco, 12
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Brother is a member of the Milford Sewer Commission
Education: Associates in Science
Occupation: Real Estate Broker - 20 years
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: member of the Milford Board of Assessors
Campaign website: Josh Lioce for Board of Assessors

Why are you seeking elective office?

I ran for this important position on the Board of Assessors 4 years ago, knowing that my background in real estate, passion for this community and desire to be involved and give back through many different facets would be a benefit to the Board. During that time, I have truly enjoyed my position and I have worked hard to continue to build upon the strong foundation that was laid by many great board members before me. I feel strongly that my time on the Board has been impactful and that I have bettered our office through my vast real estate knowledge and over 20 years of experience in real estate valuation, as well as my deep understanding of the Milford real estate market in both the residential and commercial sectors.

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

The Board of Assessors must value all real and personal property within the Town. We value residential, commercial, industrial and personal property. We must continue to ensure all property is properly valued as Real Estate values continue to climb aggressively in the area markets, specifically in Milford.

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

During my time on the board, it has been my expansive knowledge of the Milford Real Estate market during the past 20 years in both the residential and commercial sectors that has been able to be extremely useful to the Assessors office, as well as a knowledgeable voice on the Board of Assessors.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I feel our town did a great job, given the task that they were faced with.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We will be facing some significant commercial abatements in the coming years, and we must ensure we have the proper plan and a well run office, as we do now, to ensure we are prepared to assist Counsel on fighting for fair valuation and proper taxation on large commercial companies as well as the large utility companies.

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

Successfully overseeing the 2020 revaluation of all real and personal property, which is done every five years as required by the state Department of Revenue for certification. Between the 5 year cycle, we have successfully maintained the values to ensure that each property taxpayer in the town pays his or her fair share of the cost of our local government.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To be a leader to others, you must be able to take responsibility for everything around you and where you are in all aspects of your life... you must "own" it all.

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

I am a lifelong resident of Milford. I graduated from Milford High School in 1997. I also received my Associates Degree in Science in 1999 from Massachusetts Bay Community College, where I finished 1st in my field of study. While attending college, I was hired as the 1st Director of the Milford Youth Center during its infancy. After changing my career direction in 2001, I worked to obtain my Massachusetts Builders License as well as my Real Estate Salesperson License. After working in Real Estate for some time, I then went on to earn my Real Estate Brokers license and in January 2003, my then fiancé, and I opened our real estate office, Lioce Properties, Inc. which I still own and operate today at 230 Main Street in Milford. In 2004, I married my wife and business partner, Julie Orczyk, who is also a lifelong resident of Milford. We have 2 amazing children… Our daughter Ava Rose is 14 years old and our son Nicholas Rocco is 12 years old, and they both attend Stacy Middle School. I am a proud 3rd generation Milfordian. I have been a Town Meeting member going on 10 years, and a member of the Downtown Revitalization Committee since its inception. I am a current member and Past President of the Milford Rotary Club since 2004; I am a proud Master Mason and member of the John Warren Lodge in Hopkinton since 2014; and I am a founder, current member and the current President of the Greater Milford Social Club since 2019. I kindly ask for your vote on April 6.

WATCH: Milford Board of Assessors candidate forum