Kathy Hewitt, 63, of Sandy Hook, died December 17, of complications from surgery. One of six children born to Laura and the late John Hewitt, she grew up in Fairfield and lived there most of her life....
Robert J. “Bob” Qubick, 87, of Sandy Hook, died December 15. He was born in White Plains, N.Y., March 26, 1932, the son of John Qubick and Eleanor Knapp.
Mr Qubick was a proud, patriotic veteran of th...
Ann Troy, 91, a lifelong resident of Norwalk, died December 14. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ruth Bogdany and the loving wife of Joseph A Troy, Jr.
Her six children, Diane Merrifield, M...
Margurette Mohigel Khoury, of Bridgeport, loving wife of 68 years to George Mohajjal (Mohigel), died peacefully December 12. Born in Soudeie, Syria, she was the daughter of the late Moussa and Meryana...
Robert A. “Bob” Besse, 74, of Newtown, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died December 9. Born in Easton, April 3, 1944, he grew up on a farm and enjoyed tending to and riding horses.
His wife...
Gerard F. “Jerry” Kuhn, Jr, 63, of the Rocky Hill Veterans Home, formerly of Newtown, died suddenly December 9. He was the son of Evelyn (Lynn) Hayes Kuhn and the late Gerard F. Kuhn, Sr.
His two brot...
Barbara Newmark, 86, of Danbury, died December 8, at Danbury Hospital. Born September 23, 1932, in Fairfield, she was the daughter of the late Abner and Mary (Sherwood) Miller. She was wife of the lat...
Owen James “Coach” Gallagher, 76, of Aberdeen, N.C., died peacefully December 8, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Danbury.
Mr Gallagher had a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching from the Un...
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.
