Christopher Robert "Chris" Etes, 36, of Sandy Hook died unexpectedly April 24, as the result of a car accident. Born in Norwalk on June 5, 1981, he was the beloved son of Robert Etes of Hamden and Lou...
Albert C. Verrillo, 89, of Fairfield, beloved husband of the late Patricia Ciacia Verrillo for 54 years, died peacefully April 20. Born in Southport, he had been a Fairfield resident for most of his l...
Roger Lee Streeter, 87, of Bow, N.H., died peacefully April 21, after declining health. He was born in Brattleboro, Vt., to the late Pearl and Franklin Streeter. He grew up in New Salem, Mass., and la...
Nancy Elizabeth Nightingale, 79, formerly of Garden City, N.Y., and recently of Newtown, died April 22. She was the widow of Jack Ernest Nightingale, Sr. She was the daughter of Anna and Charles Ottma...
Barbra Jean (Preteska) O'Neill, 78, of Sandy Hook, died April 20, with her family beside her in Bridgeport Hospital. She was the wife of the late Edward C. O'Neill. She was born in Swoyersville, Penn....
James H. "Jim" Symes, 97, of Sequim, Wash., and formerly Peekskill, N.Y., and Newtown, died peacefully February 21 at Sherwood Assisted Living in Sequim. He was born on November 7, 1920, in Butte, Mon...
Nufer Bolan Bolmer, 88, of Maine, formerly of Newtown, died peacefully April 17 in his home. He was born in Greenwich, the son of Marion (Kaechele) and George R. Bolmer, Sr.
Mr Bolmer grew up in Fairf...
John J. "Sean" Kelly, 69, of Bethel, died April 13, in Danbury. He was born in Tarrytown, N.Y., on January 9, 1949, son of Eileen (Small) and Bernard Kelly.
His wife of 43 years, Essie; daughters, Ker...
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.
