To the Editor:

I miss old Newtown, where we used to have block parties in the center of town with pony rides, and fireworks at Dickinson Park (when the pool was still there) during the Fourth of July. I remember going to the ice cream shop and seeing all the prom pictures on the walls. I remember a time when we did not have any condominiums. I remember when it was safe to play on the street and ride your bike freely, without the worry of speeding cars. I remember on Halloween you would go to all your friends’ neighborhoods to see where the best candy would be, (before we had Halloween on Main Street). I remember a time when people stopped at Stop signs and respected the speed limit.

Newtown has changed greatly since I was a kid. I miss the laid-back way Newtown used to be. Now there’s congestion, traffic, and too many developers trying to make Newtown into something that it’s not. Developers: Please leave the little open space that we still have alone. Let’s try to bring back the charm that Newtown once had. We do not need any more housing.

We pay a good deal of taxes to live in our beautiful town and do not get very much for it. Garbage and leaf removal are not services that we have like some other towns in the area. Each individual family must pay to dispose of their own garbage and leaves. It would be wonderful to have more money spent on things that would benefit everyone in town, not just people that have children and education. For example, it would be fantastic to see the Pickleball courts at Fairfield Hills redone for all to enjoy. Adding more garbage cans and lights along the walking path would be beneficial too. Bring back the 4th of July fireworks at Dickinson Park.

Developers/Business Owners: If you want to add businesses in Newtown, please first fill up the empty store fronts that we have in Sand Hill Plaza and other areas in town.

COVID brought a flood of out-of-towners to Newtown. They came to town because of the proximity to New York City, the charm of our town, and the public education system. With the influx of people this has caused a significant increase in traffic and accidents. To all of us “new” and “old” Newtowners, please have patience. Please be kind. And most importantly, please remember what lured you to Newtown in the first place and think about how you can preserve this special place for all of us to live here peacefully.

It’s naïve of me to think that Newtown would stay the same, but let’s try to remember why we love this town. The small-town feel, nice people, and open space. Let’s bring back the motto “Nicer in Newtown” and really mean it.

Sincerely,

Stacy DeJulio

Newtown