Newtown’s recently installed Chamber of Commerce President William "Scott" Anders appears to understand that in a small town, engaging with the entire community is as vital to his organization’s success as serving and increasing business among Chamber members.
Business name: Strength & Grace Boutique
Address: 115 Church Hill Road
Owner: Caitlin Lucian
Business background: I was previously an elementary school teacher and was looking for some...
Business name: Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Address: 67 Federal Road, Brookfield
Owners: Jim and Mary Villamana of Newtown
Business background: Jim: I had the opportunity throughout my ca...
Northern Fairfield Professionals will conduct its next meeting Tuesday, February 12,at the Holy Innocents Faith Formation Center at St Rose of Lima Parish. This month's guest speaker will be Rob Thomas, who will discuss “Beyond The Business Card.”
Veterinarian Dr John Robb is currently celebrating the soft opening of his new Protect The Pets practice at 98 South Main Street and will hold a day-long event on Saturday, January 19.
UPDATE: With information received on February 11 from Main Street Adventures, this article has been updated to show Kayla Buckley is the sole owner.
Business name: Main Street Adventures
...
Professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and the public are invited to join The Working Women’s Forum on Wednesday, January 9, for a panel discussion on "Top Things I Learned Starting My Own Business.”
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.
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.
