Ronald Devine replaces James Ryan as town assessor

Devine replaces Ryan as town assessor

Longtime Brookhaven Town Assessor James Ryan has retired and has been replaced by former Islip Town assessor Ronald F. Devine Jr.

Ryan’s retirement, which was expected, became official when he resigned on Jan. 1, town officials said. Devine was appointed to the post on Jan. 7.

Ryan, 62, who had been town assessor since 1993, thanked Brookhaven officials during a town board meeting on Jan. 14.

“I very much enjoyed it. I always thought my first mission as assessor was to give courteous, professional service,” Ryan said. “I am going to miss it terribly.”

Devine, 58, was hired by Brookhaven last year to serve as deputy town assessor until Ryan retired. He had been Islip Town assessor since 1998 before he resigned last year to take the Brookhaven job.

Town assessors maintain property ownership records, estimate property values for tax purposes, and review applications for tax exemptions.