Occupation: I am the president/owner of Goulart Construction, Inc., a residential remodeling contractor in business over 30 years. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University and an associate's degree in arc

By JAN HOWARD

Published: May 15, 2001 12:00 am

Occupation: I am the president/owner of Goulart Construction, Inc., a residential remodeling contractor in business over 30 years. I have a bachelorâs degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University and an associateâs degree in architectural engineering technology from Norwalk Community Technical College. I am a full time father and grandfather.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown for 25 years.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: There are too many people, buildings, cars, homes, traffic, industry. Thereâs way too much development.

Family: I have two perfect daughters, Lisa, 33, a waitress who lives in Woodbury with my three perfect grandsons, P.J., 7, Justin, 5, and Trevor, 3, and Donna, 31, who works for a flooring company and also has three perfect sons, Steven, 11, Douglas 9, and Brian, 7. P.J. is an avid baseball star, Justin just had his tonsils removed, and Trevor idolizes Power Rangers. Steven, my first grandson, is also a baseball star and sports enthusiast. Douglas is an ambitious, productive boy who sleeps very little, and Brian loves sports and is involved in soccer and baseball.Â

Pets: I have one 15-year-old cat named K.C., for kitty cat, because the three of us couldnât decide on a name.

Hobbies: Triathlons, biathlons, marathons, softball, basketball, and ballroom dancing. Also, watching my grandchildren do anything, including watching them grow, and being a slave to my family. I also teach continuing education classes.

Favorite Books and Authors: I read mostly magazines, trade journals, and short stories. It must be wonderful to sit and read a whole book.

Favorite TV Show: Bonanza and The Lone Ranger.

Organizations: I was involved with Camp Fire and as a Newtown Softball girlsâ coach. I am a member of Toastmasters, an organization to improve speaking and thinking skills. I am a member of St Rose Church, where I am a special minister of the Eucharist and lector. I also am a volunteer worker for Americares.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: I have several: Main Street, Town Hall, the flagpole, the golf course, and the Fourth of July.

Favorite Vacation Spot: My goal is to run a marathon in all 50 states and seven continents. Therefore, I do not have a favorite spot yet. Perhaps later I may.

Personal Philosophy: Family is it. I used to give more lip service to family, but the older I become the more I know how valuable and important family is, so my philosophy is to pay strict attention to family as it is the most constant and valuable asset in your life. The most important role in life is not work but parenting and grandparenting.

Bruce Goulart

The Way We Were

Kathleen M. Yomazzo (November 29, 1942–April 16, 2025)

Water Every Where, But Not A Drop To Drink

Rock This Democracy To Hold Next Street Protest, Rally On May Day

Several Hundred Attend Vigil To Protest Recent Deportations, Support Due Process

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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Occupation: I am the president/owner of Goulart Construction, Inc., a residential remodeling contractor in business over 30 years. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University and an associate's degree in arc

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