Domenic Amoroso, Jr, 86, beloved husband of the late Virginia Huntley Amoroso, died peacefully at home October 14. Born in Torrington, February 7, 1929, he was a son of the late Domenic and Fannie Mar...
Robert Leuci, known as “Bob” or “Dad,” died October 12 at home in North Kingstown, R.I., at the age of 75. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., February 28, 1940, to Lucy and James Leuci.
He then moved to O...
Mary E. (Armstrong) Ward, 84, died October 10 at The Glen Hill Center in Danbury, after a heroic seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born June ...
Hilkka S. Riutta, 84, of Sandy Hook died October 11 at Masonicare at Newtown. Mrs Riutta was the wife of Erro Riutta. She was born in Viipuri, Finland, January 31, 1931, and was a daughter of the late...
James Ward Morris, 81, of Oriental, N.C., formerly of Newtown, died on October 8.
He is survived by Jo Ann Morris, his beloved wife of 58 years; son, Jeffrey Morris of Mount Bethel, Penn.; son and dau...
Carl Kuhne, 80, of Sandy Hook, husband of Karen (Koniecki) Kuhne, died October 5, after a brief illness. He was born in Waterbury, August 23, 1935, and was a son of the late Fanny (Petit) and Carl Kuh...
Louis Reszoly, Sr, 84, of Newtown, formerly of the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, died peacefully October 5 at his home, with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of the late Olga Szi...
Norma (Woloshin) Basch, 81, of New York City and Truro, Mass., died September 29 at Cape Cod Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Born in Norwich, July 4, 1934, and raised in Worcester, Mass., she grad...
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.
