To the Editor:

Our town’s 2025-2026 First Selectman’s Budget outlines an estimated 4-5% increase over last year’s budget, a necessary step to address rising costs that directly impact our community. Half of this increase can be attributed to a staggering 30% surge in health insurance premiums, along with union wage increases for teachers and escalating energy costs. These are critical expenses that require systemic change beyond our immediate reach.

The remaining increase results from inflation, reduced state funding, the conclusion of various grants, and the end of American Rescue Plan funding.

Town officials are facing a significant challenge: how can we manage these costs without burdening our residents with higher taxes?

It is crucial that we remain transparent in this process, avoiding political divides, and work collaboratively towards a bipartisan solution to our budgetary dilemmas.

We are at a pivotal moment. We must find ways to fund these necessary increases without compromising the quality of life we cherish in Newtown. This calls for innovative ideas and collective effort from every member of our community.

We need a public forum where the First Selectman and town officials can present budget increases and realistic revenue sources. We need transparency between the governing bodies and the residents of Newtown. Together, we can tackle these budget challenges head-on and forge a path forward that works for everyone. Your voice matters — let’s work together to create a sustainable future for our town.

Elise Beasley

Newtown