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Fire Reports | April 17-22, 2025

Published: Apr 28, 2025 8:00 am

Thursday, April 17: 9:32 am, smoke/odor investigation, 14 Johnny Appleseed Drive, Sandy Hook responded; 12:39 pm, gas leak, 29 New Lebbon Road, Botsford and Sandy Hook responded; 7:34 pm, outside fire, 5 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook responded; 8:45 pm, service call, 196 Hanover Road, NUSAR responded; 10:31 pm, fire alarm, 5 Winton Farm Road, Botsford responded.

Friday, April 18: 2:47 pm, brush fire, 83 Flat Swamp Road, Dodgingtown and Hook & Ladder responded; 6:59 pm, chimney fire, 4 New Lebbon Road, Botsford and Sandy Hook responded.

Saturday, April 19: 6:32 pm, brush fire, 48 High Rock Road, Botsford and Sandy Hook responded.

Sunday, April 20: 12:01 am, cover assignment, 207 Stiles Road, Southbury, Hook & Ladder, Sandy Hook, and Hawleyville responded; motor vehicle accident (MVA), 4:15 pm, 53 Boulevard, Hook & Ladder responded; 10:16 pm, service call, 2 Boulevard, Hook & Ladder responded.

Monday, April 21: 10:59 am, MVA, 53 Mt Pleasant Road, Hawleyville and Hook & Ladder responded; 11:38 am, tree/wires down, Flat Swamp and Jangling Plain Roads, Dodgingtown and Hook & Ladder responded; 11:48 am, mutual aid, Old Field Road and Main Street, Southbury, Sandy Hook responded; 12:27 pm, outside fire, 53 Mt Pleasant Road, Hook & Ladder and Hawleyville responded; 4:44 pm, mutual aid, 188 Berkshire Road Southbury, Sandy Hook responded; 7:06 pm, MVA, Appleblossom Lane and South Main Street, Hook & Ladder responded; 7:06 pm, service call, Flagpole, Hook & Ladder responded; 7:15 pm, smoke/odor investigation, 21 Platts Hill Road, Botsford responded.

Tuesday, April 22: 8:16 am, fire alarm, 28 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook and Hook & Ladder responded; 8:27 am, fire alarm, 31 Pecks Lane, Botsford, Dodgingtown, Hawleyville, and Hook & Ladder responded; 8:45 am, brush fire, 199 South Main Street, Botsford and Hook & Ladder responded; 10:28 am, fuel spill, 21 Old Farm Road, Hook & Ladder responded; 1 pm, fire alarm, 60 Taunton Hill Road, Dodgingtown and Hawleyville responded; 3:01 pm, brush fire, Castle Meadow and Hattertown Roads, Dodgingtown and Botsford responded; 6:28 pm, tree/wires down, 5 Maple Drive, Sandy Hook responded; 7:56 pm, brush fire, 199 South Main Street, Botsford, Hook & Ladder, and Sandy Hook responded.

An excavator drops a bucket of mulch after moving it away from a burning area at the transfer station Tuesday morning, while a pair of Botsford Fire Rescue firefighters keep a hose line trained on the smoldering pile. Botsford and Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters were dispatched to the Town property around 7 am April 22, when the fire was discovered. A Town employee used the excavator to pull apart the burning section of mulch, while firefighters kept a steady stream of water on the smoldering materials. Firefighters were able to clear from the transfer station in approximately 90 minutes. Firefighters returned to the same area Tuesday night for a brief rekindle. —Bee Photo, Hicks

Purple Alert Issued For 19-Year-Old Newtown Resident

Propane Contract, Financial Report Discussed At BOE And BOE CFF Subcommittee Meetings

Mother’s Day Tribute To Support Migrating Birds At Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary

Sourdough Class At St Rose, May 4

Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.

Discusses Role As Registrar

While I respect the outcome of the referendum, I’m disappointed by the way this budget was presented and passed. A 6.72% tax increase and a mill rate jump to 28.78 may have been framed as “just a few dollars a day,” but for many families in town — especially those already stretched thin — those “few dollars” add up quickly. It’s frustrating to see large increases minimized in this way, and I worry that next year we’ll hear, “It’s only a little more than last year,” as if that justifies an ongoing trend of rising taxes. This year’s combined municipal and education budgets total over $141 million — that’s a significant sum.

Everything Passes: Budgets, Capital Projects Referendum Results In

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?

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Fire Reports | April 17-22, 2025

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