Every agency providing emergency services locally weighed in on whether COVID-19 could compromise their response - find out what Newtown's local lifesavers had to say.
Hear from Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and Health official Donna Culbert in The Newtown Bee’s ongoing series of “COVID-19 Clips,” and get the latest local and state COVID transmission stats for this week.
After three cases of the aggressive and potentially more deadly B.1.1.7. variant of the COVID-19 virus were discovered in neighboring Oxford, Governor Ned Lamont announced he will be extending his emergency powers to help control the impact of the pandemic statewide.
Like so many of those who contracted COVID-19, transplanted Newtown native Carl “Chad” Werden was in good health and had never suffered any serious health threat — never mind spending months in hospital and surviving through a virus-related double lung transplant.
Ross Salvo was a kind-hearted, strong-willed 12-year-old who loved karate, complimented people whenever possible, and did what he could to help others have good days.
The number of positive Newtown cases accumulated in town since COVID-19 hit Fairfield County now stands at 1,250, a count that nearly tripled since the week before Thanksgiving — and there is no sign of that rate slowing.
Despite countless prevention reminders and the initiation of COVID-19 vaccines locally - cases accelerated in the past week, blowing through the 1,000 benchmark and taking at least three more residents’ lives.
Governor Ned Lamont has announced that phase 1b of Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout will begin on Monday, January 18 — read on for all the details.
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.
