Dolores Arlene Bobowick died peacefully Wednesday, March 6, with her family around her. Born November 29, 1945, in Bridgeport, to mother Camille Massaro and father Andrew D’Aiuto, Dolores had one olde...
Nigel John Anthony Harrison died suddenly on February 20, at the age of 51, while on vacation on Petit Saint Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with his wife, Marleen De Grande.
A resident of ...
UPDATE: The time for the funeral Mass has been updated to reflect a time change. It will take place at 10:30 am, not 11 am. The Newtown Bee received this information after the print edition had gone t...
Dr. Peter Wenzel Pratt “Doc,” died peacefully at his home in Bridgewater on February 2, 2019. Peter was 85 years young. He was preceded in death by his brother, Roger, and sister, Vera Pratt.
Peter wa...
Eleanor Louise Fries, 94, of Marlborough and Tequesta, Fla., passed away on February 22, 2019. Her passing was peaceful and with the beauty and dignity with which she lived her life. She was born in N...
Robert William Soré passed away February 25, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Soré, and son, Alister Soré. He is preceded in death by his son, Sinclair Soré.
Robert was born in Bronx, N.Y., i...
Charles “Chuck” Michael Reichardt, 83, of Newtown died peacefully on Saturday, February 23, in his home, after his two-year battle with cancer. Chuck was born in Bridgeport on June 20, 1935, the son o...
It has been three years since you went home to be with Jesus. We miss your laughter and your kindness to little animals and the less fortunate. We miss you sitting on the swing with us on warm ...
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.
