Feb. 9--EAST HARTFORD -- The new grand list shrank by 1.37 percent, or $43 million, from the previous year, Finance Director Michael Walsh said.

The Oct. 1, 2008, list of all taxable property is now about $3.1 billion.

Several factors caused the reduction, including fewer new-car purchases, increases in commercial tax exemptions and a decrease in the assessments of such businesses as the Sheraton Hotel.

New businesses, such as the Aldi grocery store on Silver Lane, Phillips Farm and Meadow Hill Farms, added revenue, but those tax dollars weren't enough to counteract the overall decline.

Real estate assessments fell 0.34 percent, to $2.6 billion.

Personal property assessments dropped 8.91 percent, to $244 million.

Motor vehicle assessments fell 4.16 percent, to $237 million.

Grand List Total

$3.1 billion

Decrease From 2007:

1.37 percent

Top 10 Taxpayers (assessed property values):

1. United Technologies Corp., $348,262,010

2. Cabela's Inc., $30,183,540

3. Coca-Cola Bottling Co., $26,433,620

4. Freemont Riverview LLC, $24,293,090

5. Ansonia Acquisitions LLC, $23,716,230

6. Connecticut Natural Gas Corp., $22,011,140

7. Connecticut Light & Power, $21,846,630

8. Computer Sciences Corp., $20,720,500

9. Merchant 99111 Founders LLC, $16,637,090

10. East Hartford Founders LLC, $15,207,610

What Changed?

The town's top 10 taxpayers remained the same. United Technologies bought new manufacturing equipment that is tax-exempt. Bank of America, which moved into an enterprise zone at 20 Hartland St., received a 40 percent, five-year tax exemption. The exemption applies only to increases in Bank of America's real estate and personal property taxes that result from its $17 million investment in the property, said Jeanne Webb, the town's development director. Cabela's, which opened at Rentschler Field in October of 2007, received a full assessment last year.

SOURCE: ASSESSOR'S and FINANCE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

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