Middlefield Grand List Grows By Less Than One Percent

Middlefield's grand list grew by less than one percent in 2012, town officials announced recently.

Yet the modest growth in the town's tax base is being considered positive news following last year's sharp decline in the grand list, which fell over 10 percent following 2010's revaluation.

The assessed value of all real estate, personal property and motor vehicles in Middlefield, minus exemptions, totaled $403,672,903.

The addition of $2.56 million to the current grand list represents a 0.64 percent increase from last year's grand list and is attributed partly to new home construction in Middlefield.

"There's been a few new houses built in town, which is encouraging," Assessor Steve Hodgetts said.

"Real estate is up a little bit, personal property and motor vehicles are down a little bit. It's not bad," he added.

Taxable real estate increased from $351.7 million in 2011 to $353.9 in 2012, while personal property fell from $32.6 million to $32.2 million and motor vehicle dropped from $33.5 million to $33.1 million.

Hodgetts said the personal property decline wasn't greater partly due to investment in equipment by local manufacturer Ramar-Hall Inc., which provides products and services to the military and commercial aerospace industry.

The company's investment in equipment moved it into the town's Top 10 Taxpayer list which also includes Zygo, Connecticut Light and Power and Lyman Farm Inc.

Hodgetts said the grand list is still subject to the appeals process through the Board of Assessment Appeals.

First Selectman Jon Brayshaw called the increase in the grand list "good news" but pointed out that the town continues to see a decline in reimbursement from the state.

"What we're learning is that whatever numbers the state gives you, you can't trust," he said.

Brayshaw is expected to release his proposed budget next month but gave no indication of what impact the grand list might have on the town's mill rate.