Daily Five: Waterford's Expanding Grand List

1. Today should be mostly cloudy, with a high near 61, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight, it should stay mostly cloudy, with a low around 46, according to the service.

2. Patch had an interesting talk with Tax Assessor Michael Bekech Tuesday about the town’s grand list.

In the past four years, despite a poor economy, the value of the grand list increased every year. This is particularly impressive when you consider depreciation the town has to deal with.

For example, Millstone’s personal property assessment depreciates 6 percent every year, Bekech said. That is about $60 million, or about two-thirds the value of the Crystal Mall, Bekech said. Sometimes, Millstone will do upgrades, but often it is a large amount of money to make up, he said.

Secondly, all other personal property assessments drop the same 6 percent as well, while real estate stays the same, he said. So just to stay even, a lot of new building has to happen in the town, he said.

The total grand list as of October 1, 2011 was $3.71 bllion.

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3. To commemorate the War of 1812 and the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner, the Coast Guard has announced its upcoming essay and art contest, where the prize is a ride on the the tall ship, the Coast Guard Barque Eagle, at OpSail 2012. 

“This is a great opportunity for high school students to ride into New London harbor on America’s tall ship – the Coast Guard’s Barque Eagle, and I encourage all those interested to enter the contests,” John S. Johnson, OpSail Connecticut chairman, said in a press release announcing the contest.

“We’re talking about the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The deadline for New London submission is June 1 and applicants must be enrolled in high school and at least 12 years old. 

Full contest rules and information on essay and art topics is available here.

4. Patch has a new feature called Pics & Clips, which is the tab next to Communte. This is the perfect place to add photos from around town and check out photos others in the community have uploaded. You can add your own photos or videos by clicking 'Upload Photos and Videos' above the gallery. Whether it's a scenic shot, a moment at a town event or a favorite spot, take a moment to show the Waterford Patch community.

5. On this date in 2000, President Bill Clinton announced that GPS access will no longer be restricted to the military. And on this date in 1998, the European Central Bank, the European version of the Federal Reserve, is founded.

Quote of the Day

“After all is said and done, more is said than done.”

-Aesop

Trivia of the Day

Who wrote “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”?

Yesterday’s Answer: Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine.