From baking goodies to weaving baskets, local children in this year’s Newtown Summer History Camp — hosted at the Matthew Curtiss House by the Newtown Historical Society — experienced living under a summer sun in the Colonial era from July 15 to 19.
“Wave hello, on the Isle of Skoo; wave hello, there’s so much to do,” sings Francine Wheeler, Ben’s Lighthouse Creative Director/Administrative Director, on the welcome track for “The Isle of Skoo” pr...
The first session of Newtown Continuing Education’s SMART (Summer Music and Art) Camp wrapped up on Friday, July 19.
Throughout the afternoon, children and their families collected crafts the campers ...
Newtown Youth & Family Services’ Safety Town program is teaching local children about safety through interactive lessons and visits from local experts.
Newtown residents whose children need backpacks and school supplies for the coming school year have four convenient Wireless Zone locations hosting the company’s annual backpack giveaway on Sunday, July 21.
Newtown Continuing Education’s SMART (Summer Music and Art) Camp first week of summer classes, July 8 to 12, included smiling students attending a range of programs.
The following students made the High Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the fourth quarter marking period at Newtown High School for the 2018-19 school year. The honor roll listings were recently released by the school for publication.
After meeting for a private executive session to interview a candidate for position of Reed Intermediate School principal, the Board of Education (BOE) convened for its public session on the evening o...
If the smell of food was not enough to draw students to visit three Reed Intermediate School clusters participating in this year’s June 5 Kindness Carts effort, the sounds of cheer and excitement certainly did the trick.
Middle Gate Elementary School fourth grade teacher Linda Baron ran a Flag Day assembly on June 10, and students and special guests were treated to history lessons about the Stars and Stripes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
