Letters

Vote “Yes” To Keep Our Town Buildings Open

Published: Apr 17, 2025 03:36 PM

Hive letter by Anne Renner.

Vote “Yes” To Question #5 On Referendum

Published: Apr 17, 2025 03:34 PM

To the Editor: We, the 16 members of the Board of Trustees of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, urge our neighbors, patrons of the library, and fellow residents of Newtown to turn out and vote “yes” on Q...

Calls Mill Rate Increase “Not Acceptable”

Published: Apr 17, 2025 03:34 PM

Hive letter by Dave Ruscoe.

Vote “Yes” — Let’s Save Money And Be One And Done

Published: Apr 17, 2025 03:33 PM

Hive letter by Jim Gaston.

Asks For Support Of Town And Education Budgets

Published: Apr 17, 2025 03:25 PM

Hive letter by Richard Hungaski.

Urges ‘Yes’ Vote On Capital Projects

Published: Apr 11, 2025 10:14 AM

Hive letter by Peter Schwarz.

‘Yes’ On Question Five

Published: Apr 11, 2025 10:13 AM

Hive letter by Susan Kealy.

Discusses Newtown “Hands Off” Rally

Published: Apr 11, 2025 10:12 AM

Hive letter by Richard Dennis.

Pass The Budget On April 22

Updated: Apr 11, 2025 10:12 AM

Hive letter by Lynn Hungaski.

Know The Stakes Of This Budget

Published: Apr 10, 2025 04:15 PM

Hive letter by Barbara Wojcik.

Interfaith Council’s Seder Enjoyed By 40+ Guests

St Rose Parish To Host Eucharistic Miracles Display Of Blessed Carlo Acutis

Dorothea O’Byrne

Constance Rizzo

26 Years And Counting For WIN Easter Baskets

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.

Get Out And Vote

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.

Is Our Community Worth $1.67 Per Day?

Let’s have the library present a 20-year, 40-year, and 60-year OPEX/capital investment plan to determine whether this is truly a sustainable investment or just another sunk cost fallacy. Two of the items we’re voting on next week were originally framed as “donations,” yet they continue to cost this town more money over time. It’s time to say no, and force a serious reevaluation of how we approach these decisions.

Quiz Time

Such a loss. A wife, mother and dear friend. Judy and Richard Pesce

Nancy Martin

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