Reginald Andrew Kopnicky, 91, of Stratford, beloved husband of the late Frances Pardenek Kopnicky, died peacefully December 17 in Bridgeport Hospital, with his loving family by his side. A lifelong re...
With each passing year, Newtown faces the deep loss of dear family, friends, and community members. All were cherished by those who knew them. Among the many, here we remember just a few of those conn...
Jean Mary (Hollands) Lewis, 91, formerly of Newtown, widow of the late Bill Lewis, died peacefully December 28 at Candlewood Valley Care Center in New Milford. She was born October 29, 1926, in Bussel...
Eero Emil Riutta, 90, a longtime resident of Sandy Hook, died December 17 at Masonicare at Newtown. Mr Riutta was the husband of the late Hilkka (Pynninen) Riutta. He was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, ...
Ben Rogers, 23, of Laguna Beach, Calif., died peacefully in the early morning hours of December 13. He and his sister, Lily, were born in Newtown, one frozen winter night, January 27, 1994, to Katie a...
John J. Anderson, 83, of Newtown died December 25, in his home. He was the beloved husband of Rose Dattolo Anderson. Born in 1933, he grew up in "Strawberry Patch" Mamaroneck, N.Y., and had been a res...
George John Miller, 87, of Oxford, the beloved husband of Dolores Joan Dowd Miller, died peacefully December 22 at St Mary Hospital in Waterbury, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Peeksk...
Jennifer L. "Jenny" Temple, 46, of Carmel, N.Y., died peacefully in her home on December 21, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 6, 1971, in Mount Kisco, N.Y., to Mary and John Temp...
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.
