As Newtown and Connecticut tallies of new COVID-19 cases and losses continued edging upward, state officials added more states to a national travel advisory and requested the National Guard’s coronavirus support regiment to remain on duty through at least December.
Check out the second segment of a multi-part guest series on palliative care through the frontline experiences of Newtown resident and physician Jo-Ann Maroto-Soltis
A curious push/pull situation is developing statewide as Governor Ned Lamont paused Phase 3 re-openings while concurrently releasing a 50-page guide to help school districts navigate a return to classroom instruction in the coming weeks.
As the COVID-19 pandemic was ravaging Connecticut, Newtown resident and palliative care physician Jo-Ann Maroto-Soltis reached out to The Newtown Bee with an idea of telling a comprehensive story ...
As if Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert was not busy enough handling coronavirus issues, she is now grappling with the news that the aggressive lone star tick is proliferating in the region.
Newtown nurse Ann (Nancy) Rhodes, APRN-BC has created a book providing practical tips and tools to solve common medical problems she regularly encountered in patients' homes that could help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and suffering.
Newtown Savings Bank will be accepting nonperishable food donations to benefit local food pantries on Friday, June 26, from 9 am to 4 pm, and Saturday, June 27, from 9 am to noon, at all 14 branch locations.
Police Commissioner and former councilman Neil Chaudhary missed a lot over the 12 days he spent sedated and on a ventilator at Danbury Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit while battling COVID-19. Learn what he missed and important information you may need to know about his protracted recovery process.
Church Hill Village, offering luxury-grade assisted living apartments and memory care service for residents with dementia, has been working to maintain a sense of fun and normalcy through the recent coronavirus health emergency.
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.
