On Friday, Jan. 30, Westport Town Assessor Paul Friia signed the Oct. 1, 2008 Grand List as required by state statute. 

The net Grand List of $10,761,544,025 represents an increase of approximately 1 percent over the 2007 Grand List based on 2005 values. 

The list is the sum of the assessed value of all taxable property – real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property.  

Motor vehicles and personal property are valued annually, while real estate is updated based on the market values determined as of the town’s last revaluation date of Oct.1, 2005.  

The increases in the grand list are in the categories of real estate and personal property. Real estate increased due to the continuation of building activity mainly in the residential area. Building permits have been consistent through August of 2008, but appear to be declining after this point.  

Personal property increased due mainly to the continued installation of the Connecticut Light & Power Co. transmission line and new accounts such as Crate & Barrel. Motor vehicles declined by 4.5 percent, which is consistent with other Connecticut towns this year.   

The current 2008 Grand List totals are as follows: 

Assessment	2008	% of List
Real Estate	10,262,159,048.	95.36
Motor Vehicle	291,138,995	2.70
Personal Property	208,245,982	1.94
Total	10,761,544,025.	100%

The Grand List will be used for fiscal year 2009-2010 town budget calculations pending the outcome of Board of Assessment Appeals hearings in March. 

The following are the top 10 taxpayers in Westport:

COMBINED TOP 10 TAXPAYER ASSESSMENT

Nyala Farms Inc — $88,295,424

Connecticut Light & Power Inc —  $71,092,277

Marc & Cathy Lasry — $28,256,300

Allainz Life Insurance Company — $25,272,000

Riverside Office 285 & 355 LLC — $24,782,200

Roseville Estates Inc  — $24,646,480

Irving Byelas Irrevocable Trust   — $17,535,000

Westport Corporate Center LLC —  $16,968,400

Westport Retail Co-Investors LLC  —  $16,338,400

Peter & Barbara Godfrey — $16,223,400