Shutdown defense led Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team to a 37-30 win over South-West Conference foe Pomperaug of Southbury, at NHS on January 8.
Newtown High School's gymnastics team began the regular season with a strong showing in the Pomperaug Invitational, in Southbury on January 5. Newtown, with a team score of 126.750, placed fourth.
This was a good week for Newtown High School’s wrestling team. First, on January 3, Newtown went to Pomperaug of Southbury and defeated the Panthers 40-24. Then came participation in the East Haven Du...
Newtown High School's track and field teams competed in a South-West Conference developmental meet at Wesleyan University, in Middletown, on January 6. Ally McCarthy turned in of the many Nighthawk highlights by setting the school record in the 800 meter dash.
In addition to racking up goals on the ice, hoping they add up to wins and playoff success, Newtown High School's hockey team is looking to earn points through various challenges and tasks on and off the ice as part of the Blue & Gold Cup Challenge, this winter.
Newtown High School's boys' basketball team defeated visiting Daniel Hand of Madison 75-55 on January 2, in what was senior captain Shea Talbot’s last high school game before getting shoulder surgery. The Nighthawks improved to 6-0.
Newtown Hikers, an open group welcoming anyone interested in hiking and the outdoors, has announced its winter 2019 schedule. The first hike of the new season is planned for Saturday, January 5.
Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball team carries a hot start to the campaign into the New Year. The Nighthawks jumped out to a sizable early lead, withstood a second-quarter Pomperaug of Southbury run, and pulled away for an 82-56 triumph in the Staples Holiday Tournament opener in Westport on December 27. Newtown won the tourney championship two days later with a 55-44 comeback victory over the hosts.
Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team defeated Mansfield, Mass., 43-37 on December 28, then bested Cromwell 44-36 on December 29, both in the Threes For Charity event, at NHS.
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.
