Dorothy M. “Dot” Tinto, 74, died unexpectedly November 5 at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth. She was born May 26, 1941, in Danbury, and was the daughter of Jennie and Dominick Mariani. She ...
M. Georgina “Georgy” Fitchett, 92, died Veterans Day, November 11. A mainstay of Sandy Hook, she was born in a Leap Year, February 29, 1924.
Ms Fitchett had a smile for everyone and greatly enjoyed he...
Frank X. Hauser, 88, of Southbury, formerly of Newtown, died unexpectedly November 13 in St Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury. He was the husband of Lillian (Sax) Hauser. He was born August 7, 1927, in Brook...
Beatrice Marie Solheim, 88, of Norwalk died peacefully November 13, surrounded by her family. Born in Norwalk, September 27, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Beatrice Olsen Karlsen and Harold Ka...
Denece A. Kasper, 65, of Trumbull died peacefully November 13 at Bridgeport Hospital, after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Her husband Ed Kasper; her son Craig Kasper, and his wife Rebecca, of Oran...
Jennifer Desrosiers, 24, a former resident of Newtown, died from injuries received in an automobile accident, November 10, in Orlando, Fla., where she resided.
Ms Desrosiers was a communicant of St Ro...
Doris J. Reilly, 87, beloved wife of the late Charles J. Reilly, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, November 9. She was born in Bridgeport in 1928, and raised in Milford, a community that rema...
James Bishop, 74, of Seymour, beloved husband of the late Phyllis Nadeau Bishop, died November 5 in his home, following a sudden illness. Born October 9, 1941, in Bridgeport, he was the only child of ...
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.
