Joseph Francis "Joe" Markey, 90, of Sandy Hook, died peacefully July 19. Born August 14, 1927, in Teaneck, N.J., he attended Teaneck High School and spent two years in the US Navy during World War II....
Barbara Anne (Hamelman) Lynch, 75, of Newtown, died peacefully July 20, at home. She was born September 8, 1942, in Rockville Center, N.Y., and was the youngest of the Hamelman triplets.
Ms Lynch grad...
Francis Timothy "Tim" Shanley, 70, of St Augustine, Fla., formerly of Bridgeport and Newtown, died July 19, at Bailey Community Hospice, after a long bout with lung cancer, surrounded by family and fr...
Janice Edith "Jan" Scott, 75, of Newtown, died peacefully July 19, surrounded by family. She was born November 1, 1942, in New York, N.Y., and was the daughter of Henry Busch and Muriel (Young) Busch....
Allen Gary "Blitz" Palmer, 54, of West Redding, died July 17. He was born December 8, 1963, and was the son of Ruthann and Michael Palmer. His loved ones say he fully immersed himself in "the dash" - ...
Nina Sokolova, 56, of Newtown, died July 18. She was born in Russia and was the daughter of the late Mikhail and Khesya Gilkin.
Her beloved husband, Mikhail; devoted daughters, Oksana Sokolova and her...
Joseph Anthony "Joe" Bryk, 57, of Stratford, died peacefully July 15, at his home with his loving family by his side, after a courageous 20-month battle with cholangiocarcinoma. Born in Bridgeport Hos...
Barbara Germaine Heil, 62, of Waterville, Maine, died suddenly, but peacefully, July 4, at her home. She was born in Bridgeport, March 15, 1956, and she was the daughter of Robert and Betty (Schrieber...
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.
