East Granby's Grand List Jumps 2.1%

Benefiting from a jump in personal property and motor vehicles, East Granby’s total taxable property increased from 2010 to 2011 by 2.1 percent, or close to $13 million, according to a town official and data from the assessor’s office.

The 2011 grand list, which is broken down into real estate, personal property and motor vehicles, is $573,695,775, up from $561,917,921 in 2010.

First Selectman James Hayden said at the Board of Selectmen meeting Wednesday evening that manufacturers accounted for the significant jump, even during what was considered to be a stagnant economy, by installing expensive, high-tech equipment.

“Manufacturers invested this past year in their buildings and equipment,” Hayden said.

Indeed, net assessment for personal property totaled $36,955,452 million this year, up over $2 million from last year’s $34,118,277. For motor vehicles, exemptions totaled $1,241,871 for a total net assessment of $51,628,674, up $3.3 million from 2010’s $48,387,994. And in real estate, standard exemptions including those for veterans and the blind totaled $1,345,250, for a net assessment of $485,111,650, up $6 million from $479,411,650 in 2010.

There is also $171,098,000 in tax-exempt real estate - land owned by the town, state or federal government - in town, according to tax assessor’s records.

Hayden said that the tax assessor’s office had not compiled the list of the top 10 taxpayers in town and that information will most likely be released in about a week.

In other selectmen business, Hayden said that the fire department was looking to sell four pieces of surplus equipment, ranging from an air compressor to a boat, in an effort to purchase a used pumper.

“We’re trying to be creative,” said Hayden, who noted that he was in discussions with the Board of Finance and the town attorney concerning whether such an arrangement/purchase would have to go to a Town Meeting.

Hayden also said that the town had entered into a $15,000 agreement, plus fuel costs, with the town of Suffield to share an animal control officer.

Finally, Hayden said that it’s budget season and a preliminary figure was being worked on.

The next selectmen meeting is Feb. 22.