Letters

On The Mary Hawley Public Service Award

Published: Apr 18, 2025 9:20 am

To the Editor:

Volunteerism is the act or practice of doing volunteer work in community service. We are sure many of you reading this letter have volunteered your time at some point. Our churches, nonprofit organizations, charity organizations and our various Town boards/commissions (elected/appointed) would not be as successful without their wonderful volunteers.

The Mary Hawley Public Service Award was established in 2023 to promote volunteerism by honoring an individual who, through lengthy and exceptional public service to Newtown, best represents the selfless commitment and spirit of Newtown’s beloved benefactress, Mary Elizabeth Hawley.

The award serves two functions:

1. It will serve as an annual reminder to the Newtown community of the remarkable contributions that Mary Hawley made to Newtown. She alone is single-handedly responsible for much of Newtown’s treasured infrastructure — C.H. Booth Library, Edmond Town Hall, Hawley School, Newtown Village Cemetery and Soldiers and Sailor’s Monument. It is truly an astounding legacy that should be and now will be formally remembered every year.

2. The award will serve as a vehicle for promoting volunteerism by recognizing prolonged, outstanding individual commitment to selflessly serving the community and its citizens.

If you know anyone who you think deserves to be considered for this prestigious recognition, please submit a complete nomination form available online at surveymonkey.com/r/MaryHawleyAward or pick up a hard copy nomination form at the following locations: C.H. Booth Library, Newtown Bee, Newtown Senior Center and Newtown Community Center. The nomination period closes on May 2, 2025.

The recipient of the Mary Hawley Public Service Award will be recognized for their contributions to Newtown by having their name listed on a plaque at Edmond Town Hall, as well as receiving a personalized memento to commemorate the achievement. In addition, Newtown Savings Bank will donate $1,000 to a Newtown-based nonprofit organization of the recipient’s choosing.

Bronson Hawley

Maureen Crick Owen

Co-Chairs, Mary Hawley Public Service Award Committee

The Way We Were

Top Of The Mountain

CT DOT: Bridge Work Coming On I-84 Newtown And Bethel

Castle Hill Farm Holds Annual Egg Hunt

All of the referendums deserve to be pasted. We have a history of deferring needed maintenance and then paying more years later. These are required to keep our town owned building and roads in working condition.

Vote “Yes” To Question #5 On Referendum

Every vote matters and that’s exactly why it’s important to recognize that voting No on a proposed budget is not a vote against Newtown, but rather a vote for accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. Last year, when voters rejected the education budget in its first round, it wasn’t just a symbolic gesture—it resulted in a reduced spending plan that ultimately passed. That outcome showed that our voices can and do make a difference. Voting “No” is one of the few tools residents have to encourage our town leaders to re-evaluate spending, find creative solutions, and prioritize needs over wants. So yes, please vote on April 22—but don’t be afraid to vote “No” if you believe we can do better. Last year’s vote proved that when residents speak up, real changes can follow.

Get Out And Vote

Breaking the tax increase down to a “cost per day” may make it sound more palatable, but it minimizes the real impact these increases have—especially on those already struggling with rising costs across the board. A dollar here and a dollar there adds up, and for many families, it's not just about the price of a cup of coffee—it's about stretching every dollar to cover groceries, fuel, healthcare, and housing. A 6.72% property tax increase is significant, regardless of how it’s framed. Saying “it’s only $1.13 a day” overlooks the fact that for some residents, every expense matters. Just because costs are rising doesn’t mean the burden should automatically fall on taxpayers without exploring real efficiencies, cost savings, or long-term planning. We need to prioritize fiscal responsibility and find smarter ways to manage our town’s needs without assuming residents can or should absorb another round of tax hikes.

Is Our Community Worth $1.67 Per Day?

Let’s have the library present a 20-year, 40-year, and 60-year OPEX/capital investment plan to determine whether this is truly a sustainable investment or just another sunk cost fallacy. Two of the items we’re voting on next week were originally framed as “donations,” yet they continue to cost this town more money over time. It’s time to say no, and force a serious reevaluation of how we approach these decisions.

Quiz Time

Such a loss. A wife, mother and dear friend. Judy and Richard Pesce

Nancy Martin

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On The Mary Hawley Public Service Award

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