All proceeds from Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer game against Pomperaug of Southbury (Blue & Gold Stadium, Tuesday, September 11, at 7 pm) benefit March of Dimes.
Backed by a strong defensive effort, Newtown High School’s football team shut out visiting New Fairfield 35-0 in the season opener, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on September 7.
There is a new coach on board to lead the way for Newtown High School’s girls’ cross country team. Christina Caron succeeds Rich Marcello, who departed for a collegiate coaching position at SUNY Oneon...
A bulk of last year’s top runners return as Newtown High School’s girls’ cross country team gets set to race this fall.
First-year Coach Christina Caron (see related story) is optimistic for success a...
A combination of strong preparation, talent, and everything falling into place at the right time for Newtown High School’s boys’ cross country team led to the Nighthawks celebrating a South-West Confe...
Months of practice-makes-perfect efforts to nail sometimes complex routines — made up of tumbles, flips, basket tosses, pyramids, dance, and more — will come down to just two and a half minutes of per...
Experience is on Newtown High School football team's side this this fall as the Nighthawks try to improve on their winning ways from a year ago.
Last year, Coach Bobby Pattison’s Nighthawks posted a 7...
With 42 team members — 36 swimmers and six divers, the most third-year Coach Becky Osborne has had — there will be plenty of in-team competition for roles during meets for the Newtown High School girl...
It is the start of a new era for Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team.
Charley Amblo, who has extensive coaching and playing experience, takes over as head coach, and he is looking to change the cu...
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.
