This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Paula Jensen Takes Over as Oxford Tax Collector

Jensen will run an office still recovering from disarray left by Karen Guillet.


Minutes after formally accepting the resignation of one tax collector, the Oxford Board of Selectmen hired a new one, Paula Jensen.

An accountant by training, Jensen succeeds Cayenne Spremullo, who , and because she was moving out of Oxford and therefore could not hold an elected position.

During a special meeting Monday night, July 2, First Selectman George R. Temple said Jensen is a Republican, which is a requirement under state law because the outgoing tax collector was elected as a Republican. Jensen will fill Spremullo’s unexpired term ending in November 2013.

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Welcome aboard," Temple said. He added that he felt Jensen would be a success dealing with the public.

Spremullo only held the post for seven months, and took over following the turmoil left by former tax collector Karen Guillet, who was ousted after she was accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars during her 24 years in office.

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When she was on charges of first-degree forgery and first-degree larceny, investigators accused Guillet of stealing $240,000.

But in a civil suit filed against her, town officials claim she stole at least $670,000, and possibly more.

Guillet’s lawyer, Dominick Thomas, told reporters that he expects on July 18, but the details of the offer were not disclosed.

One of Spremullo’s recommendations was to modernize the computers in the Tax Collector’s office to prevent any more thefts. But she also said problems Guillet left behind make it difficult to run the office.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?