Beacon Falls’ grand list rises following dip

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BEACON FALLS — A year after the town’s grand list saw a significant drop, things are looking up.

The town’s 2017 grand list is $473 million, an increase of $8.58 million, or 1.85 percent, over the 2016 grand list.

A municipality’s grand list is a tabulation of the assessed values of real estate, personal property and motor vehicles.

Based on the current mill rate of 35.9, the increase in the grand list equates to about $308,000 in additional tax revenue.

First Selectman Christopher Bielik welcomed the increase as last year’s grand list dropped by more than $25 million. The drop was due to a decline in the value of most homes following a property revaluation.

“We are very encouraged by this considering the impact we had by the revaluation last year,” Bielik said. “We are hoping this is the beginning of an increased trend in Beacon Falls.”

The assessed value of real estate increased by $7.4 million, or 1.89 percent, to $402.8 million.

Assessor June Chadderton said the increase was largely due to new construction of homes at Oakwood Estates, Hillside Estates, and Chatfield Farms, a private community for people 55 years old and older.

The assessed value of personal property increased by $996,241, or 4.1 percent, to $25.1 million.

Chadderton said the increase is, in part, attributable to the increase in inventory at United Rentals and Pioneer Gas.

The assessed value of motor vehicles increased by $113,810, or 0.25 percent, to $45 million.

Chadderton said the increase was slight because there were fewer purchases of new vehicles than in previous years.

Bielik said the town is looking toward the future and hoping for continuous increases in its grand list each year.

“We have some strong initiatives that will be effective in generating new revenue and expanding business in town,” Bielik said.

Top Ten Taxpayers

Two North Main LLC….$10,045,670

Connecticut Light & Power Co….$9,714,170

United Rentals North America Inc.….$4,087,770

Murtha Enterprises Inc.….$3,431,840

EG Home LLC….$3,194,340

Aquarion Water Co of Connecticut….$2,943,260

Murtha Industrial Four LLC….$2,563,570

SMSP-Connecticut LLC….$2,379,210

CRC Development LLC….$2,087,250

Seymour Beacon Falls LLC….$1,844,170

The figures denote the combined real estate, personal property and motor vehicle assessments for the taxpayers listed. Figures provided by the Beacon Falls Assessor’s Office.