Milford-based heating and air conditioning company Onofreo Home Comfort Systems supported a Newtown resident after his home was damaged in the August 18 storm.
The Arts & Culture Subcommittee of the Southbury Economic Development Commission recently hosted the 2024 Southbury Arts Awards, and a former Newtown resident was among the evening's honorees.
When Linda Bates visited Dr Rakesh Vali at Pleasant Paws Pet Center recently, she was aware Vali, the owner of that business and the longstanding Mt Pleasant Animal Hospital, wanted to talk with her a...
It started with The Great Newtown Reunion in 2013. Now members of Newtown High School's Class of 1975 are working on their 50th anniversary class reunion.
Ahead of the 40th annual lighting of the trees for the holidays at Ram Pasture, donations have started arriving at the office of Newtown Parks & Recreation.
The United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has been giving hope to families in need for 77 years. This year, more than 20 Newtown businesses are participating as toy drop-off sites t...
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.
