School Board Continues Budget Workshops
The Board of Education continued inspecting individual areas of the Superintendent’s Proposed Operational Budget Plan 2020-21 at its January 16 and January 21 meetings. Read more about different areas of the proposed budget here.The Board of Education continued inspecting individual areas of the Superintendent’s Proposed Operational Budget Plan 2020-21 at its January 16 and January 21 meetings.Since Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue presented her spending plan proposal at a January 14 meeting, the board has heard from representatives of different areas of the budget. A story on the individual school budgets proposed for 2020-21 is available here.The $79,281,774 spending proposal represents a 1.51 percent increase from the current budget. As previously reported in The Newtown Bee, the Board of Education is expected to review the superintendent’s proposed budget before approving its budget proposal for further review by the Board of Finance and Legislative Council, ahead of the town’s April referendum.Special Education, Pupil Personnel, And HealthDirector of Pupil Services Deborah Mailloux-Petersen spoke about the special education budget and the pupil personnel services budget at the January 16 meeting. To start, she reiterated information shared at a November 19 Board of Education meeting that outlined steps the special education department has taken since a self-study and action plan was created last year. Those steps include a new language training program called Fundations for kindergarten and first grade students, and offering training and certification for a number of educators for Wilson Reading System Level 1 and Orton-Gillingham Approach training.“Although I know there have been lengthy conversations about a decrease in enrollment for our [general education] population, special education continues to rise,” Ms Mailloux-Petersen said, later adding there were 612 special education students enrolled in Newtown as of October 1, 2019. As of January 13, she said there are 621 special education students enrolled.As outlined in the Superintendent’s Operational Plan 2020-21, the special education budget for the next fiscal year is $11,740,923, a 3.24 percent increase from the current year.Later she noted that staff “additions” in the proposed budget are staff that have been working for the district for years, but their salaries were previously covered by grants.When speaking about the pupil personnel services budget, Ms Mailloux-Petersen said the largest change for next year is that in an effort to align services at Newtown Middle School and Reed Intermediate School the number of school psychologists in the buildings is being shifted.According to the Superintendent’s Proposed Operational Budget Plan 2020-21, the pupil personnel services budget for 2020-21 is $4,091,783, a 6.25 percent increase from the current year.Nursing Supervisor Anne Dalton spoke about the health portion of the budget, saying the district’s nursing services “remain very busy across the district.” The operational plan shows the health budget as $928,071 for 2020-21, a $24,929 increase from the current year. Ms Dalton said the budget reflects supporting staff with professional development to in turn support “medically complex students,” which have been increasing.CurriculumAssistant Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti later shared an overview of the curriculum budget at the January 16 meeting, saying it was developed with input from stakeholders to be “meaningful and directly related to our areas in need.”As outlined in the operational budget plan, the $1,132,732 curriculum budget reflects a 2.19 percent increase from the current year.Ms Uberti explained that the upcoming year has roughly 40 curricula updates planned and staff development and training will continue, along with continuing district committee work. Staff training in math and science are part of the upcoming plans. Ms Uberti also noted areas of the curriculum budget that are planned to meet state standards or mandates.Resources are being explored to choose a new math instruction model to align kindergarten to sixth grade math curricula, according to Ms Uberti. One-year renewals are proposed for the upcoming year to allow for time to research potential math resources.Other changes in the curriculum budget include director salaries, two days of training for paraeducators, an increase in the substitute line to partially support teacher professional development, and staff travel, which was reported differently in this year’s budget proposal, according to Ms Uberti.Technology And Continuing EducationDirector of Technology Carmella Amodeo spoke at the January 21 meeting on the technology budget.According to the operational budget plan, the overall 2020-21 $1,652,139 technology budget represents a .51 percent decrease from the current year’s spending plan. Within the 2020-21 technology budget is an 8.7 percent increase in spending to cover software and a 7.32 percent increase for contracted services.Included in the technology budget, according to Ms Amodeo, are plans to further support one-to-one ratios of students to Chromebooks for most grades in the district. At the lower levels, which already have Chromebooks, that means having devices for students to use in school, and, as outlined in a separate Newtown High School budget presentation, unrolling a one-to-one plan for ninth graders for next school year that includes ironing out loaning practices for students to bring the devices home.“The big item in our tech budget going in to next year... is really going to be a one-to-one deploy of Chromebooks at the high school level,” said Ms Amodeo. According to later discussion, the current plan is to further the one-to-one Chromebook deployment at the high school yearly to support other grade levels.Plant/Maintenance And TransportationThe proposed 2020-21 plant operations and maintenance budget is $8,021,750, or a 2.96 decrease from the current year.Facilities Director Bob Gerbert, Jr, spoke about the budget at the January 21 meeting, saying his long-term goal is to “utilize in-house forces” more than has been done in the past to complete small scale projects, like a recent plumbing project at NHS that was overseen by district maintenance staff.Mr Gerbert said “key movers” of the plant budget are salaries, energy, contracted services, professional services, and supplies. Recent projects, like boiler projects and changing to LED lights, decreased energy costs.“We’ll be routinely looking at all service contracts for any improvements for efficiencies or cost savings,” said Mr Gerbert.District financial analyst Tanja Vadas discussed the transportation budget with the board. The $4,697,252 proposed transportation budget for 2020-21 represents a 3.44 percent increase from the current year, according to the operational plan.Ms Vadas explained the district has contracts with All-Star Transportation for its in-district, private school, agricultural science, and magnet school transportation, while EdAdvance provides transportation for out of district and special education needs.“This budget is based on our current needs, and we add or subtract changes that are known for next year, but that is somewhat hard to anticipate who will be coming and going,” said Ms Vadas.She added that fuel for vehicles is up 1.29 percent due to use of a special education van.Benefits And General ServicesDistrict Business Director Ron Bienkowski offered overviews of both the benefits and general services budgets.Employee benefits, Mr Bienkowski shared, represents 14.4 percent of the total operating budget “and these are all required expenses based on what has been negotiated with all of our various unions.”According to the operational budget plan, the $11,451,283 proposed employee benefits budget is $325,943 more than the current budget.The general services budget, as outlined in the superintendent’s proposed budget plan for 2020-21, is $3,177,224, a 5.94 percent decrease from the current year. It includes salaries for district administrators, budget and business services, Board of Education expenses, district security services, and more. Mr Bienkowski said the projected decrease is largely based on a drop in professional services spending. Within the general services budget, the proposed security budget is $762,313, a $12,679 increase from the current year.One significant increase in the security budget, Mr Bienkowski said, is replacing “welcome desks” at the schools.Board of Education members asked a range of questions — from descriptions in the budget to reasons behind budget decisions — after each representative spoke.A public hearing on the 2020-21 budget is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, at the Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street. The school board is expected to adopt its proposed budget at the following meeting, set for Tuesday, February 4.The Superintendent’s Proposed Operational Budget Plan 2020-21 and the superintendent’s presentation to the school board from January 14 are both available on the school district’s website, newtown.k12.ct.us.School Board Continues Budget Workshops Eliza Hallabeck
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Support Groups January 24-30, 2020
Weekly support groups for January 24-30, 2020, and monthly listings.Friday, January 24AA, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, 8 pm, beginners meeting, open discussion.Saturday, January 25AA, Daily Reflections group, St Rose parish house (upstairs), 38 Church Hill Road, 6:30 pm, one-hour meeting, reading, and discussion from Daily Reflections and 24 Hours books.Sunday, January 26AA, Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road, 2 pm, open speaker discussion meeting, one-hour meeting.AA, Newtown United Methodist Church (lower level), 92 Church Hill Road, 7:30 pm, open speaker discussion meeting.NA, Narcotics Anonymous, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, 7:30-8:30 pm, information pamphlet/discussion meeting.Monday, January 27AA Beginners Big Book Meeting, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, 7-8 pm.Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Congregational Church (library), 14 West Street, 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:25), nonprofit weight loss support group, $2/week or membership $32/year, first meeting is free; call Krista 203-231-4176 or Sara 203-948-4270 for more information.Tuesday, January 28AA, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, 12:15 pm, closed step meeting.AA, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, 6:30 pm, one-hour closed step meeting.Al-Anon, 38 Church Hill Road (rear entrance, first floor), 7 pm, all welcome; 860-244-0022 or ctalanon.org.Alateen, St Rose Religious Education Building 38 Church Hill Road (upstairs), 7-8 pm; 203-417-1178 or ctalanon.org.Alateen, United Methodist Church of Danbury, 5 Clapboard Ridge Road (Route 39), Danbury, 7-8 pm; 203-270-8577.Cross Roads: a Christian Twelve-Step Program, Grace Family Church, 13 covered Bridge Road, use church’s rear entrance), first and third Tuesday, 7 pm; 203-270-1005.Wednesday, January 29AA, Men’s Group, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, 8 pm.Thursday, January 30Newtown Hope & Support Group, at the offices of the Newtown Parent Connection, 2 Washington Square, Fairfield Hills, 7-9 pm, a confidential and embracing support group for those who have concerns or questions about their child or loved one’s possible use or abuse of drugs and alcohol. This meeting is facilitated by a licensed therapist. For further information, please call 203-270-1600.AA, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street (at flagpole), 8 pm, closed speaker discussion, nonsmokers meeting.Monthly MeetingsAdoption & Foster Connection, at My Place Restaurant, 8 Queen Street, 7-9 pm second Tuesday of each month, open to adoptive parents with children adopted through DCF and international and private adoptions, most parents have had some challenges and benefit from idea sharing with others; Nancy Horowitz (nhorowitz@fcagency.org), Gaye Yllanes (203-426-6502, gayllanes@aol.com).Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group, Maplewood at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Road, the second Wednesday of the month, 6 to 7 pm. To register, call the concierge at 203-426-8118. For questions regarding the support group, contact Stephanie Cuzino, co-facilitator for the group and Maplewood’s Memory Care Director, at newtownmcd@maplewoodsl.com or 203-710-2275.Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group, Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Road, Newtown, the third Wednesday of the month, 1 to 2 pm. To register, contact assistant director Judy Thomas at 203-270-4310. For questions regarding the support group, contact Stephanie Cuzino, co-facilitator and Maplewood’s Memory Care Director, at newtownmcd@maplewoodsl.com or 203-710-2275.Alzheimer Family Support Group, Holy Innocents Building on St Rose of Lima Campus, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, 6 pm; first Wednesday of the month; facilitated by St Rose parishioner Michael Guido to provide an outlet for caregivers and bring awareness to the disease. This is not professional counseling or therapy. See dontforgettolaughalz.com or Facebook @dontforgettolaughalz, or call 203-948-8251 for more information.Bereavement Group, at the offices of the Newtown Parent Connection, 2 Washington Square, Fairfield Hills, 7-8:30 pm, the first Wednesday of the month. A compassionate venue for those who have lost a child or loved one to substance abuse or a catastrophic circumstance. This meeting is facilitated by a licensed therapist. For further information, please call 203-270-1600.EA, Emotions Anonymous, Bethel Congregational Church, 46 Main Street in Bethel, Sundays at 7 pm, Thursdays at 5:30 pm.EA, Emotions Anonymous, United Methodist Church Bethel, 141 Greenwood Avenue, Tuesdays, 5-6 pm; Saturdays, 6-7 pm; enter through red side door down driveway. Parking in rear of building.Fibromyalgia Support Group meets monthly, every second Tuesday, at 11 am, Morse Room of the Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Avenue. For more detailed info, questions, and to RSVP, please visit wcfibro.com or contact Kim at 203-300-2648.The Heart of Men Circle, at Sticks and Stones Farm, 197 Huntingtown Road; meet in parking lot at 6:45 pm and catch a ride to the top of the mountain where the outdoor meeting takes place; second Wednesday of the month. Connect with other men in an outdoor setting; even though we will be around a fire, please dress weather appropriate. Contact Jim Kavallines, 203-948-1684 or Mitch Edwards at 917-696-1495 to confirm attendance.Lyme Connection, a tickborne disease patient support group for patients and loved ones, on the second Thursday of each month, from 5 to 7 pm. The free sessions are in the Lyme Connection offices in the Town Hall Annex at 66 Prospect Street, in Ridgefield. The group is open to patients and caregivers from all towns on a regular or drop-in basis. For additional information, check the calendar at lymeconnection.org.The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), for family members of those with mental illness, second Thursday of each month, 6:30 to 8 pm, at Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, 207 Main Street, Ridgefield, open to all Fairfield County residents; contact Marc at 203-940-2516.Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of Greater Danbury meets on the third Sunday of the month, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Road, Bethel; registration is not necessary, and people can attend when they feel comfortable. The group is focused on creating a positive environment where its members, both newly injured and those who have been injured for longer, can help one another; visit danburysci.org and contact co-founder Lynn Simoneau through the chat function at facebook.com/danburysci.Support For Friends & Family of Alzheimer’s patients (and related dementias), at Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut, 444 Main Street North in Southbury, second Thursday of each month, 10:30 am, no charge for this open and ongoing group that helps participants develop methods and skills to solve problems, caregivers encouraged to maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health, as well as optimally care for the person with dementia, facilitated by Alzheimer’s Association volunteer.Western Connecticut Parkinson Disease Support Group, Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Road, Newtown, first Wednesday of the month, 1-2:30 pm, contact Sharon Hoyt at shoytpd@gmail.com.To add a regularly scheduled Newtown support group, or to make changes, contact nancy@thebee.com.support Story Support Groups January 24-30, 2020New Web PlatformHealth, NewsNone
Legislators Gain Residents’ Feedback At Community ConversationA large turn out of residents packed the C.H. Booth Library’s Meeting Room for a Community Conversation with local legislators on the evening of January 22.State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky, JP Sredzinski, Raghib Allie-Brennan, and State Senator Tony Hwang invited the public to bring questions and concerns regarding issues and priorities for the 2020 Legislative Session, which starts February 5.“This is an opportunity for us to get feedback,” Senator Hwang said during the introductory portion of the meeting.One of the first audience members to speak to the legislators raised concerns over an article he read about a specific case in Norwalk where taxpayers’ money was being used toward extra immigration expenses. The resident then asked why it is happening and if it will keep on happening.Rep Bolinsky said that as a sanctuary state, Connecticut has “swung the door open” when dealing with this issue and that immigration policy has to be dealt with on a federal level for consistency throughout all states.“It’s a difficult issue to deal with. We need help,” he concluded.Rep Sredzinski echoed his sentiments, saying that it is a policy issue that needs to be dealt with on a federal level.Rep Raghib Allie-Brennan added insight about one of Connecticut’s rules: “We passed a law this past session that was called the Trust Act that made sure ICE agents can’t just roll up to a neighborhood and pick someone up, that’s what opens up to a lawsuit. We are protecting our backs… and making sure people aren’t getting scooped up and sent away. There needs to be some accountability.”Sen Hwang put the question into perspective saying, “I think one of the important parts of this is that we don’t have the article in front of us, we don’t have all the details and nuances of that occurrence, so we have to reserve some degree of judgement in regards to policy commentary…“But on a general basis in regard to immigration — I am an immigrant. My family went through the immigrant experience. I understand this country was built on that. We have an important role to maintain a degree of open access to people that are here for the right reasons.”Additional questions and concerns that were brought up during the hour-long gathering included guidelines for voter identification; tolls; people and companies leaving the state; taxes, such as the grocery tax; and state pensions.At the end of the Community Conversation, Sen Hwang gave a special thanks to the town officials present for the work they do serving locally.To everyone in the room, Rep Bolinsky made the closing statement, “We didn’t get to every question, obviously. You guys have great questions. Please, for goodness sake… contact us as a group or contact us individually.”To contact State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, call 860-240-8700 or visit repbolinsky.com. To contact State Representative JP Sredzinski, call 860-240-8700 or visit repsredzinski.com. To contact State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan, call 860-240-8500 or visit housedems.ct.gov/allie-brennan. To contact State Senator Tony Hwang, call 860-240-8800 or visit senatorhwang.com.Legislators’ Community Conversation Alissa Silber
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Congresswoman Hayes Hosts Q&A For Constituents Congresswoman Hayes interacted with residents from in and around Newtown during a Congressional Update and Q&A Session at Newtown Community Center earlier this week.Mental health, education, health insurance options, President Donald Trump’s impeachment hearings, prescription drug costs, the country’s borders, and a variety of other topics kept the 100-plus crowd’s attention Tuesday evening, January 21, as Democratic US Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) spoke with constituents. The crowd assembled after 6 pm in the Newtown Community Center.Before opening the floor to questions from attendees, Rep Hayes talked about her first year in Congress.“A lot has happened in the past year,” which has been her first in Congress, she said. She could “never imagine what happened in Congress” in that time, referring back to government shut-downs, endless “legislating” and “roll call votes” and the issue of a presidential impeachment. In December, she said, “I thought we were going to have a war-and-peace vote,” regarding the government’s actions in foreign countries.Her first year was a “baptism by fire,” Rep Hayes said. A Waterbury resident, she has spent her year traveling to and from Washington, DC, keeping a “crazy schedule.” She said, “I’m there to do a job. I can’t represent my people if I am not in the room, gavel-to-gavel,” during legislative discussions, she said.She has concentrated on getting funding to constituents, grants, and “trying to educate people,” about how her office may be of help.“I take my job seriously; I’m a Congresswoman, even for the people who didn’t vote for me,” she said. “When I vote, I know not everyone will like it,” but she will speak directly to people who may call her office and “don’t like something.” She said she wants to understand “and talk to people.”Before Rep Hayes took the floor, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal addressed the opportunity to speak with a federal government representative directly.“The good thing about local government is you can interact… state government and up — it’s harder to interact,” Mr Rosdenthal said. Regarding the country’s current polarized political status, he said, “People are losing friends over it. Sad.” He noted the importance of expressing thoughts, different opinions, and to talk “with respect despite views.” Mr Rosenthal said he applauded Ms Hayes for being in Newtown on Tuesday.Rep Hayes’ aides had collected written questions from residents from both Newtown and surrounding towns, which were held in a jar. Pulling a slip of paper from the jar one at a time revealed questions from those who chose to submit them. As aides read names, some audience members stood, posing their questions to Rep Hayes.Q&AWhy did she support the presidential impeachment?According to Wikipedia, “Three presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives in US history: Andrew Johnson in 1868, Bill Clinton in 1998, and Donald Trump in 2019. Johnson and Clinton were acquitted by the Senate and not removed from office. Trump’s Senate trial began on January 16, 2020.“The Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to remove the president from office in two separate proceedings. The first one takes place in the House of Representatives, which impeaches the president by approving articles of impeachment through a simple majority vote. The second proceeding, the impeachment trial, takes place in the Senate. There, conviction on any of the articles requires a two-thirds majority vote and results in the removal from office.”“I had questions,” Rep Hayes said. “I didn’t know how anyone could see what I saw, and hear what I was hearing, and not have questions. So, I supported the inquiry. I listened to the hearings.” She felt there was “enough for two articles to be drafted.” Mentioning the “abuse of power,” she said again, “I thought there was enough to ask questions. What I saw gave me pause.”People have asked, she said, about Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton — a current and past Democratic contender running for US president — who both have also faced public criticism.“I am dealing with acts of the current president," Hayes said. "Right is right and wrong is wrong, no matter who is doing it. I voted to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate and now it’s in the Senate’s hands.”Another question asked about her plans to improve care for mental health.“I agree about addressing the crises,” Rep Hayes said.She also has “secured money” for research and “addressing the opioid crisis.” She said, “Health care is the number one priority of this Congress.”Mentioning HR 3, Rep Hayes spoke briefly about dealing with the “rising cost of drugs,” and how to “require drug companies to negotiate to set fair prices for prescription drugs.” From hayes.house.gov is a press release about legislation that Rep Hayes had sponsored, dated mid-December, which states, “the United States House of Representatives passed HR 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, a major piece of legislation set to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs in America. Included in HR 3 was the Supporting Trauma Informed Education Practices Act, which directs money recouped from drug companies involved in the opioid crisis to grants supporting mental health care for children in schools.”Critical of high drug prices, she said, “There is no reason for that. At the end of the day, people are dying because they can’t afford prescriptions.”She talked briefly about HR 3, saying the drug companies are “gouging customers. It takes someone to say, ‘We can’t have this.’ It’s a huge priority.”What is being done to make schools a safer environment?She noted bills she has introduced for “support services in schools.” Frustrated that budget money often cuts out “non-certified personnel,” Rep Hayes said, “They’re there to help kids in crisis.”Also listed on her website is an announcement that “Congresswoman Hayes voted for the Rebuild America’s Schools Act (HR 865), which would invest $100 billion in America’s public schools.” Read more at hayes.house.gov.Her site also records her stance on guns in schools, and potentially arming teachers. She is quoted as stating, “The issue of student safety is deeply personal for me,” said Rep Hayes. “We should never put teachers in the position of having to pull a firearm inside a classroom. We should never leave children to fear the presence of more guns in their schools and communities. And we should never use federal dollars to siphon resources from our children’s academic success. I’m proud to lead the way with the support of my colleagues in putting forth legislation to keep guns out of our schools.”To the crowd gathered Tuesday, she said, “We have money for gun violence research. We have to study the problem. Studying data is so much better than opinions.”Rep Hayes also heard questions about the electoral college, and personal accounts of spouses and children in dire need of health care that became exorbitant.How is the government helping people with excessive medical bills?Regarding the cost of drugs, Rep Hayes said, “People in every state are suffering for that.”She mentioned a bill to keep Social Security and Medicare “sustainable.” Also featured on her website are headlines to articles where she sponsors legislation, including “Rep Hayes Cosponsors Medicare For All Act of 2019” and “Rep Hayes Leads Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs…”About the problems with Medicare and Social Security, she said Tuesday, “We can’t continue to do nothing.”She also said that the Affordable Care Act was “never meant to be perfect,” and could continually be “renegotiated.” However, “If it goes away, people will lose health insurance.”Rep Hayes said, “The story is too common. In the richest country, I can’t understand why people can’t get life-saving health care.” About Affordable Care Act, she said, “Keep the parts that work; to do nothing because we can’t agree is unconscionable.”She addressed questions about caucuses, house votes, bipartisanism, concerns about undocumented citizens’ rights, and the country’s borders.“Our immigration system is outdated,” said Rep. Hayes. “Our system is not meant to house families,” and can’t handle the “influx of people.”Talking about undocumented people, she said, “People will say, ‘Did they come here legally?’”“No matter how they come to us, it’s unconscionable that if they are not properly documented, then life has no value. It’s a morality difference.”Rep Hayes said, “I protect human life. I help people so they don’t have to live in the shadows.”She also voted for border funding because, she said, “they should be protected.” She also believes there should be oversight.“We need border protection,” Rep Hayes said. She added that “It needs to change. We need to receive and document people and know who is in this country.”She also “wholeheartedly supports the idea that we are a nation of immigrants. You can’t shut the doors and say, ‘The country is full.’”Coming up again was another concern about the high costs of personal health insurance.“Our health care system is broken,” said Rep Hayes. No matter what job you have, you should have access to health care.”Rep Hayes is not a partisan voter, she said.“I try to be a good steward over the seat to which I was elected. To me, if it’s good legislation, I vote on it.”She said, “I am a wife, a Christian, a teacher, a friend — all these things before you get to Democrat.” She did not run for a “title,” she said. “My name and my integrity are more important than a title. That finger-pointing will not come from your representative. It will not come from me.”Of the questions she was not able to answer, Rep Hayes promised residents that her staff would get back to them with resources.Rep Jahana Hayes had been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the US House of Representatives, Rep Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and represents Connecticut’s 5th District.Jahana Hayes Q&A at Newtown Communtiy Center Kendra Bobowick
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Hawleyville Gas Station Proposal Again Draws Opposition
Although the applicant for a gas station/convenience store proposed for 13 Hawleyville Road (Route 25) has reduced the scale of the controversial project, some residents living nearby are continuing in their opposition to the complex, saying that its presence would result in increased traffic and more motor vehicle accidents in the congested area near Exit 9 of Interstate 84.Although the applicant for a gas station/convenience store proposed for 13 Hawleyville Road (Route 25) has reduced the scale of the controversial project, some residents living nearby are continuing in their opposition to the complex, saying that its presence would result in increased traffic and more motor vehicle accidents in the congested area near Exit 9 of Interstate 84.The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) held what at times became an emotionally-charged public hearing on January 16 on applicant 13 Hawleyville Road, LLC’s development proposal for the vacant 3.7-acre site on the west side of Hawleyville Road, just south of eastbound I-84's Exit 9 off-ramp and north of Covered Bridge Road. The site is in the Hawleyville Center Design District (HCDD) zone.In November, in response to public opposition to the project, the P&Z unanimously rejected a version of the complex which contained a proposed a 5,293-square-foot convenience store and 16 fuel-filling positions at adjacent gas pumps. The fuel pumps would have been supplied by 40,000 gallons of underground fuel storage.The developer returned in December with revised plans that depicted a 4,083-square-foot convenience store with eight fuel-filling positions and 40,000 gallons of fuel storage. Opponents, however, charged that if that version of the project were to be approved by the P&Z, the applicant likely would later return to the P&Z and then seek to add eight more fuel-filling positions for a total of 16.The current version of the project leaves the proposed store at 4,083 square feet, but cuts the number of fuel-filling positions to six, and reduces underground fuel storage capacity to 24,000 gallons. Also, the currently proposed freestanding canopy above the fuel pumps would be about 2,000 square feet, compared to a previously proposed 6,000-square-foot canopy.Besides the six parking spaces used for fueling, there would be 30 marked parking spaces at the site. The property also would have at least one charging device for electric vehicles. Besides gasoline, diesel fuel would be sold.Questioning CredentialsAt the January 16 hearing, the applicant was represented by a different, more aggressive lawyer than in the past. Attorney David Bennett of Danbury introduced himself to P&Z members as the developer’s lawyer.Mr Bennett told P&Z members that he wanted the ability to cross-examine members of the public who spoke at the January 16 hearing to establish whether they have credentials to speak with authority on the topics that they address. Cross-examination is legally allowed at such P&Z public hearings, but rarely does it occur.Engineer Dainius Virbickas of Artel Engineering Group LLC of Brookfield, representing the developer, told P&Z members that the applicant has reduced the scale of the development proposal based on public comments made at past public hearings.A Revised Traffic ReportTraffic engineer Michael Galante of Frederick P. Clark Associates of Fairfield, representing the applicant, discussed at length a revised report on the traffic effects of such development. If the project is approved by the P&Z, the traffic aspects of the project would also be subject to review by the state Department of Transportation (DOT), Mr Galante said.Mr Galante said the developer has sought DOT approval for installation of a traffic signal at the three-way intersection of Hawleyville Road and Covered Bridge Road, as had been recommended by town officials.But because the projected volume of traffic traveling through that intersection would not meet DOT minimum requirements for a traffic signal, such signalization was not approved. Besides the proposed gas station, the immediate area holds the recently built Grace Family Church; a 210-unit rental apartment complex, known as Covered Bridge Apartments, that is now under construction; and the residential Hillcrest Drive.Mr Galante presented to the P&Z what he termed “a summary of a very detailed traffic report.”P&Z Chairman Don Mitchell and P&Z members Jim Swift and Barbara Manville raised various questions about the traffic report.Mr Bennett told P&Z members that in March 2019, the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) had endorsed the proposed gas station site as a suitable location in terms of public safety, providing the developer with a “certificate of location.”Mr Bennett added that he was unable to find any traffic study prepared for a gas station/convenience store/cafe that the P&Z approved in February 2019 for 26 Hawleyville Road for NEMCO, Limited Partnership. That 0.7-acre site lies about 2,000 feet north of 13 Hawleyville Road. That project is under construction.Mr Bennett stressed that NEMCO did not perform a traffic study for its project, pointedly telling P&Z members, “You approved that [project] in one night.”“All I’m asking for is the same standard of review that you gave NEMCO,” he said. The lawyer urged that the P&Z consider the expert testimony on traffic which was presented on behalf of the developer for 13 Hawleyville Road.“I would suggest to you that two [gas] stations are better than one,” Mr Bennett said. The presence of two gas stations addresses “ease of access” issues for motorists traveling in different directions, he said.Mr Bennett told P&Z members that he doubts whether a gas station with as few fuel-filling positions as the one proposed by 13 Hawleyville Road, LLC would be economically viable, but added that he has been told that the profit generated at such facilities comes from the sale of items at the adjacent convenience store.The lawyer urged that the P&Z review the current proposal in the manner which it had reviewed the NEMCO development proposal. Mr Bennett also urged that the P&Z grant the applicant a continuance of the public hearing so that the he could address questions on the project raised by P&Z members.P&Z member Corinne Cox asked what benefit would be provided to the town by the presence of the proposed complex. Such a facility would not employ many workers, she said. Ms Cox said she does not understand the value of having two gas stations doing business in Hawleyville.Public CommentDuring the public comment section of the public hearing, Pat Napolitano of Whippoorwill Hill Road charged that Mr Bennett’s actions at the hearing were “intimidating” to the public. Mr Napolitano refused to answer questions posed by Mr Bennett.“We are being intimidated at this point,” Mr Napolitano said.The 26 Hawleyville Road location is a safer place for a gas station than 13 Hawleyville Road, he said. There would be traffic congestion and pedestrians near 13 Hawleyville Road that would not be factors at the other location, he said.Mr Napolitano said he has lived in Hawleyville for 32 years and has had a driver’s license for over 60 years, adding that his observations stem from his personal experience in the area.At one point, Mr Bennett urged that Mr Napolitano’s testimony be stricken from the public hearing record, after which Mr Mitchell intervened, asking Mr Napolitano if he had a formal background in traffic engineering. Mr Napolitano responded that he did not. (Mr Mitchell is also a lawyer.)“Traffic is going to increase” in the Hawleyville area in light of planned residential development at Covered Bridge Apartments and Enclave at Taunton Lake, Mr Napolitano said.Initially, Mr Napolitano had asked that the town attorney be allowed to represent the members of the public at the hearing who would be cross-examined by Mr Bennett. Mr Mitchell said it is not the town attorney’s job to serve in such a role.Mr Napolitano said it is “ludicrous” that the developer has an attorney and that the residents commenting on the development proposal do not have a lawyer to represent them.Vern Gaudet of Hillcrest Drive said he has lived in Hawleyville for 35 years, adding that a gas station at 13 Hawleyville Road would not benefit Hawleyville residents, but would only serve motorists traveling on I-84.Janet McKeown of Hillcrest Drive said, “I am an expert at coming out of Covered Bridge Road [onto Hawleyville Road]. I live there. It’s hazardous.”Ms McKeown objected to Mr Bennett’s tactics at the hearing.“This was a bullying tactic. I find it repulsive,” she stressed.Mr Bennett responded that the HCDD zoning regulations allow up to two gas stations in the HCDD zone.The HCDD zone, which the P&Z created in 1999, is intended to foster creation of a neighborhood business district that includes mixed-use activities, improvements, and the development typical of a village center. HCDD zoning is intended to encourage development with high-quality design that respects the environmental conditions and history of the area in seeking to achieve an integrated, cohesive New England village center, according to the P&Z.In September 2018, at NEMCO’s request, in a 3-to-2 split vote, the P&Z modified the HCDD zoning regulations to allow gas station/convenience stores as a permitted use in that zone when a special zoning permit is obtained.Mr Swift then posed a question on whether P&Z members should be concerned that the 13 Hawleyville Road site is the last viable piece of developable land in the HCDD zone.Mr Bennett responded that because 13 Hawleyville Road has not yet been developed, that should not be held against 13 Hawleyville Road, LLC.P&Z members agreed to resume the public hearing at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 6, at the Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street.hawleyville gas station Andrew Gorosko
Story Hawleyville Gas Station Proposal Again Draws Oppositionhawleyville gas stationFeatured Slider, NewsNone
Officials Committed To Collaboration During Budget Process As the Boards of Education and Selectmen move into refining individual budget proposals, with the Board of Finance and Legislative Council poised to take up their roles in the annual process, the leaders of each of those elected panels weighed in on the prospect of enhanced collaboration.As the Boards of Education and Selectmen move into refining individual budget proposals, with the Board of Finance and Legislative Council poised to take up their roles in the annual process, the leaders of each of those elected panels weighed in on the prospect of enhanced collaboration.Municipalities like Newtown saw grand list growth and its corresponding revenue stagnate or virtually cease as the Connecticut economy tanked in 2008, with recovery slow to happen over the last decade, according to First Selectman Dan Rosenthal. That precipitated a need for local elected leaders to work harder than ever collaborating to ensure residents and students continued to receive appropriate municipal and educational services.Over the past decade, this collaborative attitude has increasingly prevailed during annual budget development. Lacking any real evident progress to turn the state around economically, local officials are offering these remarks toward maintaining — and even increasing collaboration.School Board Chair Michelle Embree Ku said she strongly believes that when making decisions for the town, “our best work happens when we work together.“It takes more effort on all of our parts to attend the meetings of boards other than our own and to be committed to having an open discussion and respectful dialog, but it is well worth the additional time when those good faith conversations lead to well-planned budgets that the voters feel they can support,” the school board leader said.“Voters entrust us with putting together a sound budget — among other things — when they elect us, and we best serve that role when we listen to each other, consider the information, are committed to transparency, and make decisions based on our desire to do what is best for the town,” she continued.By starting the year with an annual joint meeting between the Legislative Council, Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen, Board of Education and legislators from Newtown’s state legislative delegation, Ms Ku said “the table is set for having productive conversations.”“Some Legislative Council members have been regularly attending BOE budget discussions, and representatives from the BOE and district administration plan to attend the many meetings of the Board of Finance and Legislative Council as the budget moves through the process,” Ms Ku added. “Additionally, hearing from the public during the discussions is important, and adds to the considerations.”Council Chair PerspectiveCouncil Chairman Paul Lundquist agreed, saying collaboration among elected officials throughout the budget process can best be achieved through open, direct communication and understanding the role each board plays in the process.“I find that taking a more broad, macro view of the budget process can allow us all to better understand each board’s role, to share our expectations and priorities, and offer our own insights on how to best achieve the goal of offering a budget that a majority of Newtown’s voters will support at referendum,” Mr Lundquist said.“Keeping this macro perspective, I tend to focus early on the budget summary document that lists all the top-level revenue and expense items, and shows the bottom line tax levy and mill rate. This is where the final tax rate is determined,” he said. “The entire Board of Education and Selectmen budgets are single line items in this last calculation. Ultimately, this last number is what all of our work comes down to, and this is the number I believe the Legislative Council should manage to.”Mr Lundquist observed that the Board of Education and the Selectmen each develop responsible budgets driven by their top priorities for the town.“They have the best interest of our residents in mind, and understandably, once they sign off on their budgets, their role is to advocate for their requests and defend their choices,” the council chairman said. “The Board of Finance will test these needs to help ensure all spending is appropriate and accurate, and determine whether additional savings or efficiencies can be found. “He said the Legislative Council then follows in a similar role, with the added responsibility of considering the political question of whether residents will support the budget at the polls, or whether a potential tax increase is too burdensome for taxpayers.“It’s through this final lens that the Legislative Council may seek some additional reductions or changes,” Mr Lundquist concluded. “Sometimes the roles of each board are very complementary, and sometimes they may seem at odds with each other. Yet, the key to successful collaboration is understanding that we’re all part of a single organization, each with our own roles in the process, and all equally responsible for our budget’s impact on taxpayers’ quality of life.”Finance Board Chair Sandy Roussas said she already views Newtown’s budget process, by its very structure, as transparent.“Given the budget presentations at the BOS/BOE level, then to the Board of Finance, and lastly to the Legislative Council, members of all boards have the ability to ask questions, obtain additional information they need to help in their deliberations and hear from the public,” Ms Roussas said.“The 2020-2021 budget process has already begun in the spirit of collaboration with an invitation from the First Selectman to finance board and council members to attend the BOS meetings and to ask questions — but not participate in deliberations so we don’t run afoul of the Charter,” she continued. “This is an opportunity for more cohesive and insightful discussions so that we’re not starting from scratch when the budget comes to the BOF and then goes on to the LC for review.”The finance board chair said she is planning to attend, either in person or by viewing available streaming video, of “as many meetings as I can so that we can build upon discussions during deliberations and not rehash what has already been said.”First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said that annual pre-budget summit has been both well-received for its informational value, as well as for its opportunity for lead budget crafting officials to be in the same room at the same time — so they could all ostensibly take up their roles in the process armed with the same information with which to proceed collaboratively.He said that opportunity to not only hear, but ask questions of department heads in one venue — as opposed to calling them in for interviews with each separate board — promotes a less contentious and more cooperative budget process.Promoting Better Dialog“It’s tough because the process is the process, but the summit and their participation in our selectmen meetings does promote a better dialog,” the first selectman said. He added that while Selectmen Jeff Capeci and Maureen Crick Owen ask good questions, “there’s only three of us.”“So when you have members of the finance board and council in the same room, someone from another board could raise an angle or ask a question we had not considered,” he said.“I also work collaboratively with the school superintendent,” Mr Rosenthal said. “As colleagues, we’ll chat about things and we enjoy each other’s trust and confidence — that leads to collaboration. If you don’t have that trust, you don’t have anything.”With little or no wiggle room for additional reductions, Mr Rosenthal said this year’s municipal budget request contains a number of “unmovable costs like utilities, debt service,” and the investment he has decided to make to enhancing the local road repair program.“Roads don’t have a constituency, until they do,” he said. “But by then we’re driving around town on potholes. That’s when the idea of saving or reducing $100,000 in previous [road maintenance] budgets doesn’t seem to matter as much.”“I’d like to see where we land with the overall budget,” he said of the eventual combined town and school budget. “We’re trying to keep the budget’s same services, we’re not adding positions, and we’ve boosted our constituent services with talented employees in key roles without adding costs, especially in the senior, social, and human services department.”In closing, Mr Rosenthal said through cooperation and collaboration, the eventual budget that will go before voters at the end of April will provide “a quality product to the taxpayer without adding costly staff to deliver said product.” Budget sidebar- Officials Committed To Collaboration During Budget Process John Voket
Story Officials Committed To Collaboration During Budget ProcessLegal Notice WEB ONLYNewsNone
Sherman Players To Open Season With Trilogy Of Lesser-Known Williams Works The Sherman Players will open their 94th season with "Three By Tenn," a trilogy of lesser known yet powerful and resonant plays by Tennessee Williams. SHERMAN — The Sherman Players will open their 94th season with a trilogy of lesser known yet powerful and resonant plays by Tennessee Williams.Director Katherine Almquist says she has been a devotee of the great American playwright for as long as she can remember and finds these three shorter works to be “relevant and timely.” Ms Almquist and cast member Agnes Fohn recently shared their inspiration for the production of these works in advance of their opening night, planned for March 6.Written in the 1960s, the plays — The Gnadiges Fraulein, This Property Is Condemned and A Perfect Analysis Given by A Parrot — tell stories of survival against the odds.In each piece, according to Ms Almquist, circumstances and characters vary widely and “yet feel familiar.” The playwright allows his characters to find humor and absurdity in the conditions they experience as they evoke compassion and empathy for their struggles.The Gnadiges Fraulein is on first and features the talents of Ms Fohn, Beth Bonnanbeau, Robin Frome, Noel DeSiato, and David Almquist. The central characters are permanent transients who live on the fringes while inhabiting a surreal rickety bunkhouse in the Florida Keys.Two children, played by Ressa Nestor and Joseph Russo, find themselves abandoned in the Depression-era south in the second play, This Property is Condemned. Their inability to connect deepens their despair.Stepping out to live it up on the town, the two women in A Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot find the capacity to be exceedingly cruel to one another. These “two tarts,” according to Ms Fohn, played by Stacy Erickson Frome and Susan Abrams, travel from St Louis to Memphis in search of a good time. They are lifelong friends who turn on each other.Ms Almquist says she has known of these plays for years and chose to stage them now because not only do they offer great roles for women, they also speak to current conditions of real people just trying to get by in a “time of increasing loneliness and lack of connection.”The plays each offer a glimpse into a world of hurt and those who try unceasingly to survive in it with hope and humor.Three by Tenn will be staged at The Sherman Playhouse, 5 Route 39 North, March 6-24. Evening performances are planned for Fridays and Saturdays at 8; matinees are scheduled for Sundays, March 15 and 22, at 2. Tickets are $24 for adults including senior citizens, and $12 for students and those ages 13 and under. Group discounts are available.Call 860-354-3622 or visit shermanplayers.org for reservations or additional information.The theater will also host a preview performance Thursday, March 5, at 8 pm. Contact the theater for details about that performance.The production will also host a Three By Tenn LGBT & Friends Night on Friday, March 13. Print or use a smartphone to show the coupon on the theater’s website and save $5 off that show’s ticket and also enjoy a Cocaloony Cocktail on the house at intermission.Sherman planning "Three By Tenn" Elizabeth Young
Story Sherman Players To Open Season With Trilogy Of Lesser-Known Williams WorksSherman planning "Three By Tenn"Featured Slider, FeaturesNone
On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! C.H. Booth Library’s 2020 Reading Challenge BeginsLooking to travel the world? Everyone can if they have a good book to transport them to wherever their heart desires. Travel is the theme for the C.H. Booth Library’s 2020 Reading Challenge in January and that is just the beginning.Each month, readers can partake in a different designated theme and log the book(s) they read to win prizes.Reference Department Head Amy Schumann created the Reading Challenge, which ran for its first year in 2019, to introduce readers to books they may not have discovered before.For those that usually stick to reading one particular genre, this contest gives people the opportunity to expand their horizons and try new reads that they would not have delved into on their own.Selecting this year’s themes was a collaborative effort among the staff at the library, Ms Schumann said.According to the reading log, upcoming themes include presidential books for February, books with a visual component for March, children’s books for April, international authors for May, “from page to stage/screen” for June, modes of transportation for July, art or artists for August, historical fiction for September, books “set in a fantastic but real place” for October, short and sweet reads for November, and books about books for December.For those not sure what books to select, the library has provided a display table on the second floor with book suggestions that change for each month’s theme. The table also has handouts with additional reading options and free pins that read, “I’m taking the 2020 Reading Challenge.”Reading at least one book a month in the assigned theme allows a person to be eligible to have their reading log stamped at the end of the month at the library. Once a stamp is given, the recipient can claim their reward while supplies last. There is one monthly award given per reader.In the spirit of traveling, January’s prize is shortbread cookies, tea, and a postcard of the C.H. Booth Library for the recipient to share of their travels.Participants who accomplish reading all 12 months’ worth of reading are eligible be entered for a chance to win the end of the year raffle.To be officially registered, a person’s filled out reading log must be presented to a librarian by 1 pm on Thursday, December 31, 2020, to be given a raffle ticket for the grand prize.While the Reading Challenge is geared towards adults, older teens can also participate.Audiobooks and e-books count, too, so be sure to pick up a reading log at the library’s Circulation or Reference Desk to get started or visit chboothlibrary.org/readingchallenge to print out a log from home.For questions about the 2020 Reading Challenge, visit the C.H. Booth Library at 25 Main Street, call 203-426-8552, or e-mail reference@chboothlibrary.org.C.H. Booth Library’s 2020 Reading Challenge Alissa Silber
Story On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! C.H. Booth Library’s 2020 Reading Challenge BeginsC.H. Booth Library’s 2020 Reading ChallengeFeatured Slider, FeaturesNone
Youth Wrestling Referee Sees The Mat From Two Perspectives
Luca Manfredi moved up from youth wrestling to Newtown High School this year, but his development in the sport is not only on the competition side. In addition to wrestling in varsity matches, competing in the 106-pound weight division, this grappler is a referee in the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA).Luca Manfredi moved up from youth wrestling to Newtown High School this year, but his development in the sport is not only on the competition side. In addition to wrestling in varsity matches, competing in the 106-pound weight division, this grappler is a referee in the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA).This new phase of his wrestling life began at the daylong Nighthawk Classic at Newtown High in December, where Luca made the calls for youth grapplers, in some instances only one year younger than him — some of whom, as a matter of fact, were his teammates only one year ago. Talk about transition, change, and moving up.“It was really weird,” admitted Luca, adding that he asked his former teammates to keep a straight face when he started managing matches for the first time. “I wanted to keep it totally professional and act as if I didn’t know them.”He certainly took on a lot in his first tournament; he worked roughly 75 matches in a ten-hour day of wrestling that featured competitors from six states; matches can last as little as a few seconds in the case of those decided by an early pin fall decision or several minutes. Initially, and naturally of course, there were some nerves for the new referee but once he settled in, it was an enjoyable experience.“It was stressful. I didn’t want to mess up their match and be the reason they lost,” Luca said. “It was very stressful in the beginning, but it was fun in the end.”Ron Chivinski, head coach with the Newtown High team, said he is impressed with the poise Luca shows as a freshman, especially when dealing with parents of wrestlers on the mats who may not agree with a call and voice their opinions.“It helps his knowledge with the sport and it helps his growth as a young person and how to handle intense situations,” said Coach Chivinski, whose son is a baseball umpire and, similarly, has to work with those extra “officials” in the stands.Luca, who wanted to try refereeing the sport to make a little bit of money, said a ref has to hold his ground and not back down when it comes to challenges from coaches or parents. Newtown High’s weekend tournament schedule has prevented Luca from working recent youth matches, but he is looking forward to returning to call reversals, takedowns, and pin falls as this season unfolds.“It’s a great learning experience,” NYWA President Tom Maurath said. “It’s important that (referees) know the rules and how to conduct themselves and how to interact with coaches.”“I think it’s great he gives back to the community and develops his knowledge of the sport,” added Mike Long, an assistant coach with NHS who also coaches in the youth feeder program.Luca is not the first Newtown High wrestler to call matches in the town’s youth feeder program. Andy Hubina, who graduated from Newtown High in 2016, was a referee for three years, working his way up to being a head ref in the league championships. Hubina pointed out that it is invaluable what a wrestler gains from working as a referee.“The more experience you can get with wrestling and the more you watch it, the more it helps you,” Andy said.Luca already has quite a wrestling resume, having won a pair of state championships in the town’s youth program where he began in the Pre-K program designed for learning the basics of the sport.He is still learning about wrestling, and becoming a referee has taught him a lot. He took a course to become certified in the USA Wrestling Organization.“Studying the book to become a ref helped me understand the sport better for upcoming matches,” Luca said. “I feel like I knew a lot less than I actually thought. There’s a lot more to the sport than you’d think.”Working the mats as a ref pays dividends when it comes to competitions, Mr Long believes.“It allows you to see a ref’s perspective of things you might not see in a match before,” he said.Youth Wrestling Ref Luca Manfredi Andy Hutchison
Story Youth Wrestling Referee Sees The Mat From Two PerspectivesYouth Wrestling Ref Luca ManfrediFeatured Slider, Features, SportsNone
The Top Of The Mountain Newtown, from a cat's point of view.Back in 2011, we wrote about a discovery of the gravesite of Newtown Bee founder, John Pearce, and his great-great-great nephew C. Michael Anderson’s efforts to have the Department of Veterans’ Affairs place a headstone on that unmarked grave in Bethel. It was a success on his part, resulting in the placement of the headstone. Just this week, Mike got back to me with some additional information on the man who put out the first (somewhat erratically published) issues of The Newtown Bee, before the Smith family took over. “I’ve found a lot more info on him,” Mike writes. “He won a lot of money in a lottery, he remarried in 1904 to a childhood sweetheart he reconnected with at the age of about 65. During his time in the 15th Virginia he was supposedly discharged but under care at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, and then those records state he was residing in a private residence in Richmond versus in the hospital itself; the muster roles contain this information. His sister was noted as being a nurse during the Civil War and through city directories, etc, I found they resided in a very high-end neighborhood not far from the hospital I previously mentioned. A lot of mysteries and unanswered questions, so I continue to research.” We look forward to updates! Thank you, Mike.The American Red Cross has a critical type O blood shortage and urgently needs donors of all blood types — especially types O negative and O positive — to give blood or platelets. There are numerous blood drives coming up in our area. Go to redcrossblood.org to locate one nearby.I’m handing out the Good Egg Award to the hostess at Market Place Kitchen & Bar. I’m told that she recognized this past Sunday that a young mom with baby had a stuffed animal elephant “binkie” that was similar to a stuffed giraffe “binkie” that had been found in the restaurant a month ago. On the way out, the kind hostess asked the mom if it happened to be hers from a previous visit — and the baby and binkie have been reunited. What a nice surprise for them!Quick! Get out your ice skates! Who knows how long the cold snap will last? Newtown Parks & Rec announced this week that the ice rink at Dickinson Park, 50 Elm Drive, is ready for visitors. As weather permits, the ice is skatable daily until 7:50 pm; BYO skates and other equipment.If you ask him nicely, Marty the Robot might break into his favorite dance move — the Robot, of course — if asked to do so on Saturday. Stop & Shop’s resident hazard detector is turning 1 this weekend, and the Newtown store is reportedly among those that will be celebrating a birthday party. Birthday cake, crafts for kids, and giveaways will all be part of the January 25 event, scheduled to run from 10 am until 2 pm. Newtown Bee reporter Alissa Silber caught this photo of Marty in October, when he was decked out in his skeleton “costume” for Halloween. The tall, googly-eyed robot that can be found in more than 300 Stop & Shop stores within the company’s five state footprint has been spotting spills and potential hazards for a year. When the robot detects a potential hazard on the floor, it notifies store associates, who take corrective action. On average, Marty spots 40 spills and hazards at each store, every day. Sounds like a good reason for a Marty Party!It’s open house season, and I don’t mean just real estate. Wesley Learning Center, adjacent to Newtown United Methodist Church in Sandy Hook Center, hosts its open house from 9 to 11 am this Saturday, January 25. Then, from 1 to 3 pm, the new assisted living facility on The Boulevard, Church Hill Village, invites the public to an open house, also on Saturday. On Sunday, explore St Rose of Lima School, 40 Church Hill Road, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, when it hosts its open house.American Legion Post 202 Senior Vice Commander Donna Monteleone has plenty of contacts with units from Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force to Army that are just waiting for their Valentines For Troops. (Two of the Army units are from Connecticut.) She is anxious that all of the troops will get their special card or letter, as well as care packages for those troops serving overseas. Lots of schoolchildren take part each year, but Donna reminds me that adults are welcome to write letters in Word — print out more than one copy to send out more than one letter. Adults, of course, can add their address or e-mail address, too. Church groups and other organizations are encouraged to take part. Please contact Donna at ndrandle@charter.net for details on creating a care package and how you can make someone’s day a little brighter — on Valentine’s Day or any day throughout the year.The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation special fundraiser last weekend to support animals in Australia impacted by the horrific weather and fires was quite successful. There’s another event coming up to let Australia know that we care — Paint With A Purpose for Australia, Wednesday, January 29. fisio Physical Therapy & Wellness will host a Hearts of Hope painting evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the 141 Mt Pleasant Road office. It’s $7 per ceramic heart, and you can create your own positive message for it. These hearts will be shipped to Australia. Call 203-270-2977 with questions, register at https://www.eventbrite.com, search Paint With A Purpose for Australia.It is Take A Child To The Library Day on Saturday, February 1, so mark your calendar now for some special programs at C.H. Booth Library that day. From 11:30 to 1:30 pm, the library has drop-in activities in its Maker Space in the young adult area on the second floor. Children and parents can stop by and build with Strawbees or Legos, play a board game, or make a button to take home. At 2 pm, the Discovery Museum presents “Don’t Try This At Home,” which Children’s Librarian Alana Bennison describes as “a fascinating science demonstration that combines basic scientific principles with explosive results.” What a fun introduction to our library, for kids and adults alike. (Regular patrons know already how much activity and how many reading events take place at the 25 Main Street building.)The Burnham Library in Bridgewater will join the celebration, if you’re out that way on February 1. Join in on a Pete the Cat’s Groovy Get-Together from 10 am to noon in that library’s Susan Beris, MD Youth Learning Center. Wear your jammies and enjoy breakfast from the Cereal Bar, a reading of Pete the Cat: Loves His White Shoes by Eric Litwin and James Dean, and search for Pete and friends in a family scavenger hunt. I’m told there will be a special appearance by the one and only Pete the Cat — now, that’s almost as good as if I showed up! E-mail cfisher@burnhamlibrary.org or call 860-354-6937 to reserve a spot.Hot on the heels of last Friday night’s chilly round of St Rose Bingo, organizers are reminding us that the next session will be in just a few weeks. Sweethearts and singles alike are all welcome to the Monsignor Weiss Gathering Hall at St Rose School, 40 Church Hill Road, for Bingo on Friday, February 14. Doors open at 5:45 pm, and games will run from 6:30 until 9:30 pm. The per person fee of $17 covers all regular games; additional special games are also offered for nominal fees. Light refreshments are also available for purchase. Reservations are not needed but additional information is available by calling the school’s administrative offices, 203-426-5102.You can show me your love by making a point next week to... Read me again.Top Of The Mountain Story The Top Of The MountainTop Of The Mountain_142FeaturesNone
Snapshot: Maggie MahonyOccupation: I am a reading and homework tutor for children kindergarten through sixth grade. I started teaching reading at Hawley school when we moved to town and was there for six years. I absolutely loved it. When we moved to California, I started my own tutoring business for homeschool and public school children. It was fantastic helping kids at all different levels use the key the unlock the door to success in school. It was a wonderful career for 11 years out there. When we moved back to Newtown, I started up again under the same business, which I call Maggie Poppins Tutoring. I bring a big bag with me full of everything I can think of to help kids learn.Family: I’ve been married to Ken for 32 years. He’s a direct marketer. We have three children: Will is 29 and in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Ben is 28 and in Santa Monica, Calif.; and Molly is 26 and in New York City.Pets: We have a Leonberger — a Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Pyrenees mix. He’s 140 pounds. His name in Gunther.How long have you lived in Newtown? We came to town in 1995 and were charmed by the downtown area and the flagpole. We were here for six years, then moved to England for two years, but we knew we wanted to come back to Newtown. When we came back, we were here for another six years and then my husband got his job in California. We were there for 11 years and moved back to Newtown in September 2019. We fit right back in with our group of friends. It’s been fabulous.What has changed the most in Newtown since you left? All the restaurants and new shops in town. It’s so beautifully developed. We are having fun trying out all the places we had never gone to before.What do you like to do in your free time? My husband and I like to hike, entertain and have people over, and travel — especially with the kids. We got the bug to travel when we lived in England, because everything was so close. And in my spare time, I love to do three things: cook, read, and knit.Do you have a favorite book or author? I’m a huge reader. My favorite book is definitely The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. My father, who was a high school English teacher, gave me that as my graduation gift from high school. My favorite author is Amor Towles who wrote Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow. His writing is absolutely beautiful.What is your favorite travel destination? We love going to the National Parks. We try going every year to a different one. We’ve been to most of them out west and want to do the ones in New England now.What is the best part about Newtown? The people. They make you feel so warm and welcome. You can just be yourself around your friends in Newtown, and people look for opportunities to help one another. Also, Newtown was the perfect place to raise our kids. They each have made lifelong friends, just like Ken and me.Who are the heroes in your life? The teachers who go above and beyond to inspire, motivate, and help kids dream beyond the classroom. They can literally transform lives through their passion, making the mundane become extraordinary.If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? My mom, Betsy. She passed away from early onset Alzheimer’s. I know she would have absolutely loved to watch us raise our kids and see them become the adults they are today. I’d want her to get to see the kids and be part of their lives.Who is your favorite musical artist? Hozier is great. I also like John Mayer. I like artists with a depth to their music that can move and inspire you.What is your favorite quote? “Drop a bit of kindness in the pot of humanity.” I try to live my life by that rule. I don’t know who it came from, but I’ve had it in my phone for years.What is something you cannot live without? My family and our friends here in town.What is your proudest accomplishment? Our three children. Watching them grow through each stage of life has just been the greatest honor I could ever ask for.Snapshot: Maggie Mahony Story Snapshot: Maggie MahonySnapshot: Maggie MahonyFeaturesNone
Youth Wrestling Referee Sees The Mat From Two Perspectives
Luca Manfredi moved up from youth wrestling to Newtown High School this year, but his development in the sport is not only on the competition side. In addition to wrestling in varsity matches, competing in the 106-pound weight division, this grappler is a referee in the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA).Luca Manfredi moved up from youth wrestling to Newtown High School this year, but his development in the sport is not only on the competition side. In addition to wrestling in varsity matches, competing in the 106-pound weight division, this grappler is a referee in the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA).This new phase of his wrestling life began at the daylong Nighthawk Classic at Newtown High in December, where Luca made the calls for youth grapplers, in some instances only one year younger than him — some of whom, as a matter of fact, were his teammates only one year ago. Talk about transition, change, and moving up.“It was really weird,” admitted Luca, adding that he asked his former teammates to keep a straight face when he started managing matches for the first time. “I wanted to keep it totally professional and act as if I didn’t know them.”He certainly took on a lot in his first tournament; he worked roughly 75 matches in a ten-hour day of wrestling that featured competitors from six states; matches can last as little as a few seconds in the case of those decided by an early pin fall decision or several minutes. Initially, and naturally of course, there were some nerves for the new referee but once he settled in, it was an enjoyable experience.“It was stressful. I didn’t want to mess up their match and be the reason they lost,” Luca said. “It was very stressful in the beginning, but it was fun in the end.”Ron Chivinski, head coach with the Newtown High team, said he is impressed with the poise Luca shows as a freshman, especially when dealing with parents of wrestlers on the mats who may not agree with a call and voice their opinions.“It helps his knowledge with the sport and it helps his growth as a young person and how to handle intense situations,” said Coach Chivinski, whose son is a baseball umpire and, similarly, has to work with those extra “officials” in the stands.Luca, who wanted to try refereeing the sport to make a little bit of money, said a ref has to hold his ground and not back down when it comes to challenges from coaches or parents. Newtown High’s weekend tournament schedule has prevented Luca from working recent youth matches, but he is looking forward to returning to call reversals, takedowns, and pin falls as this season unfolds.“It’s a great learning experience,” NYWA President Tom Maurath said. “It’s important that (referees) know the rules and how to conduct themselves and how to interact with coaches.”“I think it’s great he gives back to the community and develops his knowledge of the sport,” added Mike Long, an assistant coach with NHS who also coaches in the youth feeder program.Luca is not the first Newtown High wrestler to call matches in the town’s youth feeder program. Andy Hubina, who graduated from Newtown High in 2016, was a referee for three years, working his way up to being a head ref in the league championships. Hubina pointed out that it is invaluable what a wrestler gains from working as a referee.“The more experience you can get with wrestling and the more you watch it, the more it helps you,” Andy said.Luca already has quite a wrestling resume, having won a pair of state championships in the town’s youth program where he began in the Pre-K program designed for learning the basics of the sport.He is still learning about wrestling, and becoming a referee has taught him a lot. He took a course to become certified in the USA Wrestling Organization.“Studying the book to become a ref helped me understand the sport better for upcoming matches,” Luca said. “I feel like I knew a lot less than I actually thought. There’s a lot more to the sport than you’d think.”Working the mats as a ref pays dividends when it comes to competitions, Mr Long believes.“It allows you to see a ref’s perspective of things you might not see in a match before,” he said.Youth Wrestling Ref Luca Manfredi Andy Hutchison
Story Youth Wrestling Referee Sees The Mat From Two PerspectivesYouth Wrestling Ref Luca ManfrediFeatured Slider, Features, SportsNone
Luca Manfredi moved up from youth wrestling to Newtown High School this year, but his development in the sport is not only on the competition side. In addition to wrestling in varsity matches, competing in the 106-pound weight division, this grappler is a referee in the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA).
NHS Girls' Basketball Team Drops Nail-Biter To LancersNewtown High School's girls' basketball team battled visiting Notre Dame-Fairfield to the finish before falling 56-53 on January 23Newtown High School's girls' basketball team battled visiting Notre Dame-Fairfield to the finish before falling 56-53 on January 23.The Nighthawks trailed 30-19 at halftime and by 14 points seconds into the third quarter before battling back to seize a 37-36 lead heading to the fourth.Notre Dame took a late lead at the free throw line and held on.Cyleigh Wilson scored 20 points, draining six 3-pointers along the way.
Double Overtime Victory Highlights Winning Ways For Boys’ Cagers
Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball team fought off a hard-working Bethel squad to earn a 64-53 victory at home on January 16 then worked double overtime to defeat host Torrington 78-73 on January 20, two days after the game was postponed due to snow.Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball team fought off a hard-working Bethel squad to earn a 64-53 victory at home on January 16 then worked double overtime to defeat host Torrington 78-73 on January 20, two days after the game was postponed due to snow.The Bethel Wildcats trailed 46-37 heading to the fourth quarter but pulled to within 51-47 midway through the final period before Newtown’s outside shooting put the game away. Jack Kuligowski made a trio of Newtown’s nine 3-pointers and Riley Ward and Tyson Mobley each hit a pair from beyond the arc.Mobley’s 3-pointer made it 54-47 Nighthawks with 3:38 to go, and Mobley’s steal and long pass to Ward for a basket got the lead back to nine just 23 seconds later. The Wildcats got to within five points at 56-51 with 2:33 left, but Kuligowski’s corner 3-pointer extended the lead to eight less than a half-minute later. Jack Kuligowski finished a fast break to make it 61-51 with 1:30 left.Ward led the way with 26 points and five assists, Mulligan had ten, Kuligowski nine, Jack Petersen eight, Mobley six, and Joe McCray five.“I thought we had a shot at breaking this game really open. Credit to Bethel, they stayed the course; they played the entire 32 minutes,” said Newtown Coach Tim Tallcouch, whose team led 19-10 after one quarter of play and 30-24 at the half.Tallcouch was pleased with the focus his team had from the start and liked the leadership from his players and overall strong defense, led by Petersen, whom Tallcouch said had his best defensive game of the campaign.Petersen and Mulligan both had seven rebounds. Kuligowski and Mulligan each had four steals, and Mobley had a trio of takeaways.The Torrington contest featured a fourth-quarter comeback by Newtown as the Nighthawks outscored the hosts 17-9 in the final stanza to force OT. Both teams scored seven in the first four-minute extra period, and Newtown won the second overtime in a high-scoring battle, 18-13.Ward finished with 19 points, Petersen had 14, and Isaiah Williams dropped in 14. McCray scored nine, Mobley added seven, and Kuligowski and Liam O’Connell each added six. The Nighthawks hit ten 3-pointers. Petersen and Williams both had eight rebounds and three steals.“Defensive energy turned up in the fourth quarter and both OTs,” said Tallcouch, adding that seven players scored and the bench — sophomores Williams, McCray, and O’Connell — contributed a much-needed 29.“Good to get out of Torrington with the win, and back at it tonight against a very solid Barlow squad,” said Tallcouch, whose team has as very fast turnaround with a visit to Joel Barlow of Redding on Tuesday, January 21, at 7 pm.NHS Boys Basketball Andy Hutchison
Story Double Overtime Victory Highlights Winning Ways For Boys’ CagersNHS Boys Basketball_56SportsNone
Nighthawks Use 26-0 Run To Win Finals Rematch As Possible Championship Preview Awaits
Basketball can be a game of runs and the January 16 Newtown-Bethel contest, a rematch of last year’s South-West Conference girls’ basketball championship was a great example of this. The visiting Newtown Nighthawks used a 26-0 run to blow the game open before holding off the Wildcats en route to a 53-37 victory.BETHEL — Basketball can be a game of runs and the January 16 Newtown-Bethel contest, a rematch of last year’s South-West Conference girls’ basketball championship was a great example of this.The visiting Newtown Nighthawks used a 26-0 run to blow the game open before holding off the Wildcats en route to a 53-37 victory.Newtown, following a Tuesday, January 21 home game with Joel Barlow of Redding at 5 pm, will host unbeaten Notre Dame-Fairfield on Thursday, January 23, at 7 pm. Both Newtown and the Notre Dame Lancers are unbeaten in conference play in the early going — unscathed to this point having both survived challenges from another championship candidate, Pomperaug of Southbury. The Nighthawks are 8-1 overall, losing only to Bridgewater, Mass., and the Lancers are 8-0 all told, making for an intriguing matchup and a possible teaser of things to come when the playoffs roll around in late February.Against the Wildcats, Newtown jumped out to an 8-0 lead but trailed 10-9 after one quarter of play. The Nighthawks were down by three points early in the second when they finished the half on an 18-0 run for a 27-12 lead at the break.Amy Sapenter’s 3-pointer gave the Nighthawks a 14-12 lead with just under five minutes remaining in the second, and Newtown never looked back. The Hawks built on their lead with pressuring turnover-causing defense and scoring coming from down low as well as outside. Rebecca Alicea scored in close and followed with a 3-pointer for a 22-12 lead. Sapenter then sank a long-range field goal off a turnover and drained a 3-pointer to finish the half.The Nighthawks began the third quarter with eight straight points and the huge run finished with a Cyleigh Wilson straightaway 3-pointer. Newtown saw its 23-point lead trimmed to 16 at 40-24 at the end of three periods. Bethel got the deficit all the way down to ten early in the final quarter, and whittled the Newtown lead to nine at 42-33 at the mid stages of the final stanza.Wilson hit eight key free throws in the final quarter, and Shea Murphy made a pair of foul shots down the stretch, to keep the Wildcats multiple possessions in Newtown’s rear view mirror.Newtown was led by Wilson with 15 points, Sapenter scored 13, Juliette Cryder had eight, and Carlie Smith had six.“I’m really happy with how we did all the little things we needed to do to win. We’ve still got a lot of things to work on moving forward,” Newtown Coach Jeremy O’Connell said.NHS Girls Basketball Andy Hutchison
Story Nighthawks Use 26-0 Run To Win Finals Rematch As Possible Championship Preview AwaitsNHS Girls Basketball_60Featured Slider, SportsNone
Newtown High School Seeks Booster Club Board Members
The Newtown High School Athletic Department is looking for a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer for the Blue & Gold Booster Club.The Newtown High School Athletic Department is looking for a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer for the Blue & Gold Booster Club.The Blue & Gold Booster Club is a nonprofit organization with the goal to strengthen all Newtown High athletics through community support, while encouraging public attendance at all athletic events.Interested community members should e-mail NHS Athletic Director Matt Memoli memolim@newtown.k12.ct.us.NHS Booster Club Info Story Newtown High School Seeks Booster Club Board MembersScammers Solicit Fundraising MoneySportsNone
Interested families invited to meet teachers, students and parents, speak with Principal Bardhyl Gjorka and learn of advantages of a K-8 Catholic education in Blue Ribbon School of Excellence accredited by New England Association of Schools & Colleges, parents also invited to learn about school’s Pre-K, 4-year-old and Transitional Kindergarten programs; 203-426-5102.
Meet farm animals, reptiles, wildlife, exotics and companion animals, and learn how different animals require different support and kindness to thrive, also meet adoptable animals from Companion Pet Rescue mobile adoption unit, hosted by The CVH Animal Sanctuary, registration requested, age 12 and under must be accompanied; cvhfoundation.org/events.
Screenings of comedy-crime-drama starring Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, et al, rated R and released in September, continue daily to January 30; 203-426-2475.
All ages invited to celebrate Chinese New Year by creating Chinese lanterns, enjoying traditional egg rolls and candies, learning traditional dance, and enjoying performance by Phoenix Performing Arts Group, space limited, registration requested ASAP; 203-270-4349, newtowncommunitycenter.org.
Screenings of comedy-crime-drama starring Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, et al, rated R and released in September, continue daily to January 30; 203-426-2475.
Screenings of comedy-crime-drama starring Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, et al, rated R and released in September, continue daily to January 31; 203-426-2475.
Change Of Location For Sanctuary EventsThe Newtown Bee has been notified that the next two Sunday at The Sanctuary events — scheduled for Sundays, January 26 and February 9 — have been relocated.The Newtown Bee has been notified that the next two Sunday at The Sanctuary events — scheduled for Sundays, January 26 and February 9 — have been relocated.Originally scheduled at Reed Intermediate School, both events will now take place at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.The planned programs will remain the same.This weekend’s program theme is “All Creatures Kind & Caring.”All animals thrive from kindness, but different animals require different supports. On Sunday afternoon, from noon to 2 pm, the public is invited to meet ambassador animals and learn how to care for them.Dr Kim Brinton, from Rowanwood Farm and Newbury Farm, will be on site with farm animals.Animal Embassy and Turtle Rescue League representatives will have reptiles, wildlife and exotic animals.Representatives from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Valley Veterinary Hospital will be visiting with companion animals.Adoptable animals will also be visiting, with mobile adoption units from Rising Starr Horse Rescue and Companion Pet Rescue.On Sunday, February 9, the theme will be “Winter Wonders: Believe It or Not!” That program will run from noon until 3 pm.From noon until 2, experts from Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and Western Connecticut State University will present an interactive game show and hands-on activities based on winter wonders that surround us. Those planning to attend should bring a table or smart phone with them in order to participate in the quiz show.Weather permitting, there will also be a 2- to 3-mile hike at The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Center property beginning at 3 pm. Participants should dress for the outdoors, including footwear for hiking in mud and/or snow. They are also encouraged to bring a camera.Admission is free, but registration is requested for both programs; visit CVHFoundation.org/events.Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the foundation’s website for additional information.
This is great for the Police Department! I guess when you are a small town and don't have many detectives, it helps to have extra people to get evidence! I am surprised though that police officers can have such long hair. I guess it's not as military as I thought. Officer Wickman is so involved in so many things I don't know how he has time to do it all! Congrats Officers!
