Bruce C. Howard, 73, of Stratford, beloved husband of Freda Peterson Howard, died September 6, at Bridgeport Hospital. Born February 20, 1945, in Bridgeport, he was a son of the late Walter and Apras ...
Peter Wilcox Allen, 92, of Southbury, formerly of Newtown, died peacefully September 3, at home surrounded by loving family. He was born January 22, 1926, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and was known as a li...
Francis J. “Frank” Daly, 89, of Newtown, formerly of Bethel, died September 5, at Regional Hospice & Palliative Care, Danbury. He was the husband of the late Patricia Ann (Graney) Daly. He was born in...
James P. Talarino, 75, a Newtown resident for more than 50 years, died peacefully September 1. He was born in Bridgeport and was the son of James Vincent & Star (Pippa) Talarino.
His loving daughter, ...
Carol Alexander McDonald, 93, of Southbury, formerly a longtime resident of Ridgefield, died September 4. She was born April 21, 1925, in Stamford, the daughter of Susan and Charles Alexander.
Her chi...
Priscilla “Sil” Black, 78, of Bakersfield, Calif., died August 28. The only child of Joseph and Lillian Black, she grew up in Newtown. She taught in the Newtown public school system in both its elemen...
Joan Reilly O’Neil, 87, a longtime resident of Newtown, died August 30, at her home, The Delaney at South Shore in League City, Texas. Born in 1930 in Port Chester, N.Y., she was the daughter of Micha...
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.
