Post by oldetowne on Feb 7, 2005 10:37:01 GMT -5
This would be funny if it weren't so sad. Isn't this the Council that has showcased economic development, set up 25 or 30 Silas Deane committees, held 15 or 20 economic summits, and criticized the prior council for not getting anything done in its two years (although the grand list growth was close to twice as much then)?
Seriously, this is absurd. From the Wethersfield Post (2/4/05):
"While an increase of .6 percent to the 2004 grand list released on Jan. 31 may not seem like much [well, it's only half of what they had in that thriving metropolis of New Britain], town officials took a decidedly optimistic view. [what else were they going to do?]
Mayor Russell Morin and Town Manager Bonnie Therrien both said that they feared that the grand list would be level or, worse, less than the 2003 figure. [with good reason, apparently]
"It could have stayed exactly flat," Morin said. [how profound... we could also all be dead.]
"I was pleased," Therrien agreed. [unreasonably low expectations are rarely dashed]
The town's list of taxable properties rose to $1.97 billion due to the increase of personal property and newer model motor vehicles.
Personal property rose 7 percent to $65.8 million. In addition, the list of taxable motor vehicles also rose 7 percent, accounting for $155.1 million of the grand list.
Real estate dropped slightly, down .1 percent from last year to $1.78 billion. [message here is that we should be spending less time and money on economic development and instead give people car loans]
Therrien commended the efforts of town employees for the increase in taxable personal property. [did they buy all the new cars with their above-market raises?]
"The staff in the assessor's office did a great job this year," Therrien said. [can't argue with that]
The town's top taxpayer in 2004 was Connecticut Light and Power/Northeast Utilities, which paid $19.38 million in combined personal property and real estate taxes. [but wait - aren't they moving out of town and leaving that place on Cumberland Ave. vacant?]
Further good news is that the town should expect a greater jump in the 2005 grand list. According to Morin, the 2004 grand list did not take into account the buildings that are either currently under construction or were completed after October 1, 2004, the cut-off date for the 2004 grand list.
Thus, businesses such as the new CVS, Quiznos and Bed, Bath and Beyond located on the Silas Deane Highway were not factored into this year's grand list. [but the buildings and businesses which had been in those locations were.]
"Hopefully next year [there] will be a better ... commercial base," Morin said. [hope springs eternal]
Therrien agreed. [no comment]
"We should have a very good boost next year," Therrien said. [and every single cent of the increase will be spent several times over]
Seriously, this is absurd. From the Wethersfield Post (2/4/05):
"While an increase of .6 percent to the 2004 grand list released on Jan. 31 may not seem like much [well, it's only half of what they had in that thriving metropolis of New Britain], town officials took a decidedly optimistic view. [what else were they going to do?]
Mayor Russell Morin and Town Manager Bonnie Therrien both said that they feared that the grand list would be level or, worse, less than the 2003 figure. [with good reason, apparently]
"It could have stayed exactly flat," Morin said. [how profound... we could also all be dead.]
"I was pleased," Therrien agreed. [unreasonably low expectations are rarely dashed]
The town's list of taxable properties rose to $1.97 billion due to the increase of personal property and newer model motor vehicles.
Personal property rose 7 percent to $65.8 million. In addition, the list of taxable motor vehicles also rose 7 percent, accounting for $155.1 million of the grand list.
Real estate dropped slightly, down .1 percent from last year to $1.78 billion. [message here is that we should be spending less time and money on economic development and instead give people car loans]
Therrien commended the efforts of town employees for the increase in taxable personal property. [did they buy all the new cars with their above-market raises?]
"The staff in the assessor's office did a great job this year," Therrien said. [can't argue with that]
The town's top taxpayer in 2004 was Connecticut Light and Power/Northeast Utilities, which paid $19.38 million in combined personal property and real estate taxes. [but wait - aren't they moving out of town and leaving that place on Cumberland Ave. vacant?]
Further good news is that the town should expect a greater jump in the 2005 grand list. According to Morin, the 2004 grand list did not take into account the buildings that are either currently under construction or were completed after October 1, 2004, the cut-off date for the 2004 grand list.
Thus, businesses such as the new CVS, Quiznos and Bed, Bath and Beyond located on the Silas Deane Highway were not factored into this year's grand list. [but the buildings and businesses which had been in those locations were.]
"Hopefully next year [there] will be a better ... commercial base," Morin said. [hope springs eternal]
Therrien agreed. [no comment]
"We should have a very good boost next year," Therrien said. [and every single cent of the increase will be spent several times over]