Daily Five: Bond Savings, Assessments and More Layoffs

1.  Today is Monday, Dec. 12.  The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies, a high temperature of 46 degrees and a low of 30 tonight.

2.  Groton was able to save more than $2 million by refunding bonds and taking advantage of lower interest rates, according to the town manager's report. The bond sale was done Nov. 29 on about $16.3 million in general obligation bonds and $2.7 million in sewer bonds. As a result of the refunding, Groton will save about $1.25 million over the 18 years remaining on the bonds, $996,000 in debt service and $262,000 on the sewer fund bonds.

3.  Recent property reassessments show residential values fell 7.1 percent from the last time properties were assessed in 2006, and commercial assessments fell 12.3 percent. Assessments of industrial properties, including Pfizer and Electric Boat, will be finalized in Janurary.

4.  Electric Boat will lay off another 11 carpenters as of Feb. 3, the company said in a notification to the town.  In November, Electric Boat notified the state Department of Labor it would lay off 52 people as of Jan. 6.  The employees are members of the Metal Trades Council of New London County.  This past summer, the company told off in September.

5.  Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Vocational Technical High School will hold Students will build devices or create processes that use recycled materials or relate to "green" technology.