West Hartford's Grand List: What Does It Mean For You?

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Despite a grand list increase of less than 1 percent last year, town officials say they're still encouraged by West Hartford's economic growth.

According to West Hartford Director of Assessments Joseph Dakers Sr., the grand list of taxable properties grew by 0.6 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, when properties were revalued.

Dakers said West Hartford real estate, personal property and motor vehicles went up to $7,222,946,622 in total assessed value, a figure that is $45,662,634 larger in value.

Any increase in the grand list means added tax revenue for the town, even if the mill rate stays the same.

Utilizing the current mill rate, which is 40.68 for real estate and personal property and 32.46 for motor vehicles (motor vehicle mill rates are capped), the town stands to gain a total of about $1.7 million in additional tax revenue.

“West Hartford’s local economy is strong. We continue to see investments made by our residents to their homes and by businesses that are establishing here for the first time and those that are expanding due to growth and success," West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said in a statement. "West Hartford is resilient and our town’s future is solid.”

Highlights of the new grand list include:

• A 0.2 percent hike in real estate, which translates to $11,518,537 more in added value.

Town officials cited new housing developments on Berkshire Road, Park Road, Farmington Avenue and a new medical office building on South Main Street.

Also mentioned by the town was 950 Trout Brook Drive, which used to be non-taxable site of The Children's Museum, but it is now taxable since it was sold to an apartment building developer.

• A 6 percent increase in motor vehicles, the largest component of the town's increase, by $34,765,182 in assessed value.

West Hartford cited "a very strong used car sales market," indicating, however, that this could end soon as new car production ramps up following Covid and supply chain impacts.

In addition, supplemental motor vehicle assessments went up by $3,865,562 in value or 4.9 percent. This covers motor vehicles registered between Oct. 2, 2021 to July 31, 2022.

• Personal property actually decreased in value by $621,085 or 0.3 percent, according to town officials.

Local officials cited the absence of tunnel boring equipment from a stormwater project coming off the tax rolls upon that project's completion.

The number one taxpayer in West Hartford, as is common in most municipalities, was Connecticut Light & Power (Eversource), which had $61.8 million in assessed property due to its utility poles, lines and other equipment operating the electrical system.

The rest of the top 10 were all real estate properties, most shopping malls/plazas and mixed-use sites.

Top 10 West Hartford real estate taxpayers

The top 10 West Hartford real estate taxpayers and the accompanying assessments are as follows:

• FW CT Corbins Corner Shopping Center LLC at $47,159,700. (Shopping plaza)

• West Farms Mall LLC at $44,100,000. (Shopping mall)

• Blue Back Capital Partners LLC at $37,332,540. (Open-air mall/mixed use/office/retail)

• Town Center West Associated at $29,389,360. (Mixed-use, office and retail)

• SF WH Property Owner LLC at $28,901,180. (Shopping plaza)

• Steele Road LLC at $26,065,130. (Apartment complex)

• ALNIC LLC at $23,128,910. (Whole Foods store)

• E + A Northeast Limited Partnership at $21,772,240. (Shopping plaza)

• ER West Hartford LLC at $21,113,190. (Apartment complex)

• Bishop's Corner (E&A) LLC at $21,065,100. (Shopping plaza/mixed use)