Clifford W. Smith passed from this life on September 27, 2019, after a long and valiant battle with illness.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Thea; his two sons; and his brother, Gerrish Smith,...
Lucille Yvonne Watson Hartschuh Clay was born on June 4, 1923, and passed away peacefully on September 30, 2019, at Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, N.C., at age 96.
Lucille was born in Fostoria, Oh...
Walter Kopesky, a longtime resident of Newtown, died at home on September 26 after a long illness.
Walter was born in Stamford in 1924 and later moved with his parents to Greenwich, where his father w...
Alvah R. Cramer, who lived a wonderful, interesting, and active life for 90 years, died peacefully on September 28, 2019. He was born in Tuxedo Park, N.Y., on June 30, 1929.
He is survived by his wife...
Sandy Hook resident Elaine Noonan Kelly died September 28, 2019, at age 86.
Elaine was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on January 23, 1933, to Evelyn Hendrickson Noonan and Walter Thomas Noonan. She attended ...
December 25, 1960, to September 22, 2019
Timothy John Frederick Huebenthal, 58, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 22, 2019, in the loving comfort of his family at home.
A Christmas baby, he ...
Lisa Besse Cascone passed away peacefully on September 26 at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was surrounded by “my boys” and other family members.
Lisa was a freelance photographer, avid organic gardener...
Jane E. McGuire (née Lanigan), age 89, a resident of Newtown for 45 years, died September 16, 2019, after a short illness. Jane was the devoted wife of her husband of 56 years, Bob. Jane was the lovin...
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.
