Town's Grand List Increases Despite Manufacturing Losses

The town's grand list showed an increase of 0.19 percent, despite the tax revenue loss when two manufacturing companies left town, reported the New Haven Register.

The two businesses are Unilever (Chesebrough-Ponds) and Stanley Bostich.  Unilever closed its doors on John Street in December of 2012; Bostich closed its Clinton plant that produced staples three years ago.

The net taxable grand list amounted to $1.5 billion, Clinton Assessor Donna Sempey reported, a $2.87 million increase from the grand list’s performance in post-revaluation 2011, noted the New Haven Register.

The increase will generate $37.77 million in tax revenue at the current rate of 25.18 mills, or $72,450 more than produced by the current list — a small increase, but still beneficial in operating a small town, said First Selectman William Fritz. “Every little bit helps,” he said, as the New Haven Register reported.

As the newspaper reported, Unilever's holdings have always placed it first or second on the list of the town’s Top 10 taxpayers. It now ranks third, with an assessment based on real estate of $9.19 million, Sempey said.

In 2011, the company was the town’s No. 2 taxpayer, with assessments totaling $26.1 million.

Gone completely from the Top 10 list is Stanley Bostich. As the newspaper reported, the company won a court judgment last year that lowered the assessment of its real estate.

Since 2008, the beginning of the national economic downturn, the grand list has shown annual increases in value of 0.14 percent to 0.18 percent — except for the 2010 revaluation, which lowered the grand list by 9.8 percent, the New Haven Register reported.

Other grand list figures: total personal property assessments increased, growing 1.5 percent to $57.26 million. Motor vehicle assessments decreased, losing 0.2 percent to $91.65 million, even though the town had 80 more cars in 2012, the New Haven Register reported.

The Top 10 taxpayers for 2012 are: Chelsea GC Realty Partnership LLC (Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets), $38.38 million; Connecticut Water Co., $15.37 million; Unilever/Chesebrough-Pond’s, $9.19 million; JMH (Stop & Shop shopping plaza), $9.09 million; Connecticut Light & Power, $8.75 million; NPNC LLC (Shop Rite shopping plaza), $8.53 million; CIM LLC (Cedar Island Marina), $4.67 million; Kent Home Assoc. LLC (30 Old Post Road), $3.57 million; Hammock Development LLC (Hammocks subdivision), $3.44 million; MJM Self Storage of Clinton, $3.01 million