No One Knows Newtown's Water Like NUSAR

By SHANNON HICKS

Published: Apr 08, 2011 12:00 am

No One Knows

Newtownâs Water Like NUSAR

To the Editor:

When it comes to fishing, swimming, boating, and other water recreation, there are few towns in western Connecticut that equal Newtown. We all know Lake Zoar, Taunton Lake, and Lake Lillinonah, but Newtown also has Cavanaugh Pond, Warner Pond, Wellgoto Pond â in fact, Newtown has over 300 bodies of water.

We know them all, and itâs our mission to make sure you enjoy them safely. Weâre the men and women of Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue, and for over 20 years NUSAR has been providing emergency water rescue services and water safety instruction to Newtown and our neighboring towns.

NUSAR team members are area residents whose talents and dedication are bolstered by year-round training and professional development. We are all volunteers, but we strive to reach the same levels of professionalism and performance as any water rescue team in the state. Weâre on call around the clock, year-round, ready to respond to any water-based emergency. Visit our website â www.nusar-ct.org â or find us on Facebook to learn more about our members and the quality services we provide.

Each year, we ask you to help us with the cost of training and equipping our dive team. This year, we have identified some specific needs: integrated-weight safety harnesses to increase the safety of our divers while in the water; a digital projector for us to use at public-safety seminars and water-rescue training; and dry suits for the seven new divers who have joined NUSAR in the last year.

When you receive our appeal letter in the next few days, please respond by mail or, if you prefer, using the PayPal button on our website. Either way, your donation will be 100 percent tax-deductible and go directly to NUSAR. More importantly, youâll be helping us continue our service to residents of Newtown and western Connecticut who use and enjoy all the water-recreation opportunities our area has to offer.

Thank you for your continued support.

Nicholas J. Kopcik & Michael D. McCarthy

President & Chief

Newtown Underwater Search & Rescue

PO Box 3203, NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â April 3, 2011

Interfaith Council’s Seder Enjoyed By 40+ Guests

St Rose Parish To Host Eucharistic Miracles Display Of Blessed Carlo Acutis

Dorothea O’Byrne

Constance Rizzo

26 Years And Counting For WIN Easter Baskets

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

<< Apr 2025 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
30	31	1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	1	2	3

Log In

No One Knows Newtown's Water Like NUSAR

Leave a Reply Cancel reply