Board Of Selectmen Approve Capital Improvement Plan
The Board of Selectmen approved its Capital Improvement Plan, sending it to the Board of Finance and Legislative Council.The Board of Selectmen approved the 2022-26 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) at its September 20 meeting, designating borrowing proposals for new fire apparatus, the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial, improvements to Edmond Town Hall and the C.H. Booth Library, as well as remediation of an environmentally contaminated commercial lot near Sandy Hook Village Center.With only a few changes other than cost figures from the plan presented a year ago, the selectmen approved the five-year plan with no changes but a number of questions.Selectmen Maureen Crick Owen questioned changes to a number of items, from the Edmond Town Hall Library parking lot to the library requests.Owen questioned the increase of the Edmond Town Hall parking lot costs from $450,000 to $550,000, which First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said was due to the nearby Old Firehouse, which needs to come down.“The last thing we want is to pave the lot and then decide we have to do something about the old firehouse,” Rosenthal said.He further noted that the cost comes from both remediation of dangerous materials and demolition.“There’s no viable use for the building,” said Rosenthal. “The police had been using for dog training, but I’m not sure how actively they’ve been using it lately. I can’t see keeping the building just for dog training.”Owen also questioned the inclusion of a $12 million addition for the Hawleyville Firehouse.“I know it’s far out, in 2031, but I don’t understand how all of a sudden it’s there,” said Owen.Rosenthal answered that the selectmen were only approving the five-year plan and the ten-year plan was meant more for long-term planning.“I did see it, but I’ve had no chance to connect with them and talk with them about the merits,” Rosenthal said. “It’s inclusion in the plan is not an endorsement. My understanding was the Board of Fire Commissioners approved this late in their meeting. I would want to understand this better, and look at the implications for other departments and their space needs.”Rosenthal also thought it best to have it in the plan far out, as it “gets it out into the open” and “everyone can talk about it” so there will be “fewer surprises.”Moving back into the first five years of the plan, Owen asked about the fact that in many years the requested costs of fire apparatus has been increased by $50,000, but in one year it is reduced by $50,000.Rosenthal explained that in 2018, the town replaced the fire department’s tanker trucks; the original plan was to do all four, but the need for custom chassis on the trucks limited them to three. The Hawleyville tanker waited but is now back in the plan; the increased cost is due to a four-man cab because “they are up on I-84 a lot” and need additional space to bring more firefighters.Library Capital RequestsThe library requests were also unpacked by the selectmen, with Owen asking if it was known what was included in the library’s renovations, replacements, and upgrades item. She was also curious why last year the library’s requests were spread over the ten years of the plan and now were moved into two years, with nothing afterward.Rosenthal responded that a number of things had been taken out of the request, including a “media space re-envisioning” and LED lights for exterior storage areas, as well as a $1 million expansion.“They wanted to buy the house next door for the expansion, which I’m not a fan of,” said Rosenthal. “We tried to steer them toward things that fit better.”Finance Director Bob Tait also noted that the library did a $50,000 study on HVAC and then had a $100,000 line item in the plan a few years later.“We said just get the HVAC done,” said Tait.Rosenthal said that he thought the increase to the parking lot paving cost was from the Board of Finance deciding the original request was not enough. He said a lot of how the plan currently stood comes from refinement of a request put in by the library board in 2018, which included items like furniture and investments.“We tried to unpack everything as best we can,” said Rosenthal. “We aren’t going to borrow for furniture.”Owen asked if the $1.4 million in the plan for a bike trail was intended to be paid for only by grants, and Tait told her that was correct.“There’s a lot of low-hanging fruit when it comes to grants out there,” said Rosenthal, who noted there is a grant that can be used from the National Parks Service.Rosenthal also said the hope is that the trail can connect into Monroe, if grants can be found to cover the costs.Owen expressed concern about a truck washing station in the plan for 2026-27 for Public Works was moved up to 2025-26 and year five of the plan this year, as well as adding $50,000 to the cost. The washing station would be used to remove corrosive materials from the bottom of Public Works Trucks, especially an issue since the salt laid down by those trucks is corrosive.Rosenthal said he is not sure if the washing station will actually happen, but it made sense to leave in the plan so it can be discussed in the future. Unlike things in year one, which is “basically money spent,” items in the further out years still have plenty of time for discussion.“I need to see a more extensive model, and if we could have some neighboring towns contributing,” said Rosenthal, adding that the plan might not make sense if just Newtown’s trucks are using it. “It merits staying in there if just to do more work on it. I’m not sold on it, but not enough to remove it from the plan.”Tait said that two neighboring towns have expressed interest in the truck washing station.Selectman Jeff Capeci noted that year three of the plan contains no new bonded items, and asked if it made sense to take a year off or to spread the costs out more.Tait said that by taking a year off the effect is seen in the debt service schedule more because it has a year to reset and fall.“Spread out we don’t feel it as much,” said Tait. “We can’t tell it’s effects.”Capeci said the CIP seems to be “working as a plan,” without a lot of changes from last year.“Obviously year five came into focus, and everything else just marched forward,” said Capeci.“It helps when I told the departments not to bring me anything new,” replied Rosenthal.Fairfield Hills DemolitionsRosenthal addressed the “elephant in the room,” that of the Fairfield Hills demolitions. He said that plans were “still in the works” and that they will “see if we get there.”“Either way we have to proceed in some vein on taking some buildings down,” Rosenthal said, noting it could be as soon as April.There are demolitions in the plan for multiple years at $2 million per year so the cost does not come all at once, but Rosenthal stated that the full proposed plan would go to the voters all at once instead of coming to them piecemeal.He said things would be decided from least to most useful, so Newtown Hall would not be a candidate to start, but Plymouth or Cochrane might be. Also under consideration are Kent, Shelton, Norwalk, and Stamford. The town will continue to market properties to developers but do not want to “overpromise and underdeliver.”The plan shows, for Year One, capital road program spending of $3 million, with $250,000 bonded; a bridge replacement program of $400,000, all bonded; the replacement of fire apparatus at $500,000, all bonded; the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial, $1.7 million, with $600,000 bonded and $1.1 million coming from the state; the cleanup of 28A Glen Road, $650,000, all bonded; town match of grants at $200,000; Fairfield Hills building remediation and demolition, $2 million, all bonded; Edmond Town Hall parking lot improvements at $550,000, all bonded; and library renovations, replacements, and upgrades of $550,000, all bonded.The total for 2022-23 is $9.55 million in spending, with $5.25 million of that bonded.For the year 2023-24, which would become Year Two of the new plan, the town is planning capital road program spending of $3.05 million; a bridge replacement program of $400,000, all bonded; multipurpose building electrical/mechanical/HVAC work of $413,000, all bonded; a Municipal Center roof remediation and replacement of $1 million, all bonded; the replacement of fire apparatus at $1.085 million, with $800,000 bonded; town match of grants of $200,000; library renovations, replacements, and upgrades of $831,000, all bonded; Fairfield Hills building remediation and demolition, $1.5 million, all bonded; and Lake Lillinonah park improvements of $500,000.The total for 2023-24 is $8.979 million, with $4.944 million of that bonded.For the year 2024-25, which would become Year Three, the town is only planning to include capital road program spending of $3.1 million; $50,000 for a truck washing station; and town match of grants of $200,000.The total for 2024-25 is $3.35 million, with no bonding. Rosenthal said the town’s government bodies elected to take that year off from any new bonding costs.For the year 2025-26, which is Year Four of the new plan, the town plans to include capital road program spending of $3.15 million; bridge replacement spending of $400,000, all bonded; the replacement of fire apparatus for $800,000, all bonded; Fairfield Hills building remediation and demolition, $2 million, all bonded; Truck Washing Station of $550,000, all bonded; Public Works site and salt storage improvements, $50,000; Edmond Town Hall building renovations of $550,000, all bonded; town match of grants, $200,000. Treadwell artificial turf and lighting at $800,000, with $250,000 bonded and $550,000 coming from other sources; and the rail trail project at Batchelder Park for $1.4 million, with the entire cost coming from grants.The total for 2025-26 is $9.9 million, with $4.55 million in new bonding.Lastly, the current year six, 2026-27, in the ten-year plan moves up to Year Five of the five-year plan, and will include capital road program spending of $3.2 million; town match of grants, $200,000; Public Works site and salt storage improvements of $600,000, all bonded; Fairfield Hills building remediation and demolition, $2 million, all bonded; transfer station improvements of $400,000, all bonded; the replacement of fire apparatus, $820,000, all bonded; the bridge replacement program, $400,000, all bonded; and Fairfield Hills water infrastructure, $750,000, all bonded.The total for 2026-27 is $8.37 million, with $4.22 million in new bonding.Tait noted that the bonding requests compared to last year decreased, due to possible grant money.The board unanimously approved the plan. It went to the Board of Finance on Thursday and is expected to be considered by the Legislative Council at its October 6 meeting.Reporter Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.Board of Selectmen Approve Capital Improvement Plan Jim Taylor
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Town Seeks Residents Input On Recycling Survey
The Town of Newtown launched a recycling survey, on September 15, that will be available to fill out until October 1.The Town of Newtown launched a recycling survey, on September 15, that will be available to fill out until October 1.According to Newtown Public Works Director Fred Hurley, the survey is for “public input on where to go with recycling.”The Public Works Department created the questionnaire with the assistance of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA), which is a regional, governmental, waste management, and recycling authority that serves 14 Connecticut municipalities, including Newtown.The survey comes shortly after it was announced that Newtown, and other HRRA towns, will take part in the new glass recycling program.Glass recycling is still accepted through curbside pickup, but residents are encouraged to bring acceptable glass to the transfer station to be put in the “glass-only” bay. [For more information on glass recycling, read “HRRA Announces Official Launch Of New Glass Recycling Program,” reported in The Newtown Bee’s September 10 edition.]The public can access the survey online by scanning the QR code on the town’s Facebook post or by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/9QJMBQ2.“Residents also have the option of calling our office at 203-270-4300 and taking the survey over the phone,” Hurley said.A physical copy of form is not currently available.The six questions are:*What road do you live on in Newtown?*Do you use the town’s curbside recycling?*Do you use the transfer station?*Do you have a private hauler for garbage pickup?*Do you use your private hauler for recycling too?*If the town no longer provided curbside pickup of recycling, would you use the transfer station or your private hauler for pickup?All the questions are multiple choice except for the first one where respondents must type in their street name. As an anonymous survey, the house number is not needed.Residents should be aware that while the original social media post about the survey with the QR clode indicates there are seven questions, Hurley has noted it was shorted to six questions after it was made public.Social Media FeedbackThe public engagement on the Town of Newtown’s Facebook post about the recycling survey resulted in mixed reactions and many comments.Some expressed that they do not know where the transfer station is located and that its hours are not convenient for their schedules.The Public Works Department’s Transfer Station webpage details that the station is on Ethan Allen Road and its hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm. The Transfer Station is closed on Good Friday, July 4th, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving (on Thursday and Friday), Christmas, and New Year’s Day. It closes early, at 11 am, on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.There were also remarks about how people wished there was a place in the survey to add typed-in feedback.In response to those requests, Hurley told The Newtown Bee, “They can always send [a] comment to Newtown Public Works, ts.permits@newtown-ct.gov or 203-270-4300.”For more information about Newtown Public Works, visit newtown-ct.gov/public-works. To learn more about HRRA and recycling in Newtown, visit hrra.org.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.Recycling Survey Alissa Silber
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Newtown RTC Events PlannedThe Newtown Republic Town Committee has two public events planned in upcoming weeks.The first is a Republican Candidate Meet & Greet, scheduled for Saturday, September 25, from 9 am until noon.Candidates will be outside the office of Attorney Robert Hall, at 43 Main Street (adjacent to the general store).The second is an Oktoberfest fundraiser planned for Sunday, October 10, from 3 to 6 pm.Suggested donation is $50 per person (children free). In addition to the 2021 municipal candidates, the state delegation, including CT GOP Chair Ben Proto, is expected to be among the special GOP guests.There will be refreshments, and the opportunity to take in one of the most beautiful views of town.Reservations are requested and can be done via NRTCboard@gmail.com.Newtown RTC meet & greet Saturday, Oktoberfest Oct 10 Story Newtown RTC Events PlannedNewtown RTC meet & greet Saturday, Oktoberfest Oct 10Cultural Events, NewsNone
Board Of Selectmen Discusses American Rescue Plan Money
With $7.6 million from the federal American Rescue Plan, the Board of Selectmen examined how best to use the windfall.With a number of big expenses coming and $7.6 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds awaiting disbursement, the Board of Selectmen initiated discussion about possible uses for the money September 20. No vote was taken and further deliberation is expected to occur at the October 4 selectmen’s meeting.Finance Director Robert Tait said that the ARP disbursed $1.56 billion to counties and towns, and $3.93 billion to residents across the country. Of the town’s $7.6 million share of the money, it received half, or $3.8 million, this year and the other half be available for spending next year.First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said even though the town does not have to do formal appropriations to spend ARP money, he felt it was better to follow the prescribed process in the Charter as funds are allocated. Rosenthal’s thinking was it creates a paper trail should the federal government question how Newtown applied the funds, as well as showing taxpayers how those funds were used.“I think we should do this for transparency,” said Rosenthal. “It’s the most sensible thing to do, so it’s all recorded. That way is the best way.”Rosenthal felt one of the better uses for the funding was the Hawley HVAC project, which is being partially underwritten by a school board surplus along with anticipated bonding. Using the grant for something the town would otherwise bond would save the town money on interest. Rosenthal said it was important for voters to know how much of the project would be paid for using the grant when they are asked to approve the project in November.“If we use this, we save on bonding costs — it’s a wise financial decision,” said Selectman Jeff Capeci.If voters do not favor approving the Hawley project, ARP money can be applied elsewhere. Rosenthal said it was “important to get the ball rolling” on how much to spend on the Hawley project so it can go through the Board of Finance and Legislative Council in time to get on the Election Day ballot November 2 for voter consideration.The town has until December 21, 2024, to allocate money from the disbursement and another year after that to spend it. According to the US Department of the Treasury, ARP funds can be used by the town for the following:*Support public health expenditures, by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health care, and certain public health and safety staff.*Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector.*Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic.*Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors.*Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and storm water infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet.“Within these overall categories, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities,” states the treasury website.Rosenthal noted that the ARP requires anything that funds are used for not be a “recurring item” — so for instance a new position with a salary would not be an approved use of the money. Any recurring items would have to be funded by the town’s normal operating budget in future years. Additionally, ARP funding cannot be applied directly to the budget as revenue to directly reduce the mill rate.Some other things the town could use the money for besides the Hawley project are new WiFi routers at the Community Center and Municipal Center, which selectmen indicated were working poorly; a new roof for the municipal center; and vehicle cameras for the Police Department.Rosenthal said that all police cruisers have cameras but the current ones are “starting to fail.”“If we take care of some of these things with ARP funds, it takes pressure off of the operating budget,” Rosenthal said.Other ideas included a patio at the Community Center, a campus bicycle park at Fairfield Hills, and a Dickinson Park pavilion renovation for the Parks & Recreation Department.“Those are some ideas, I’m sure more will come out,” said Rosenthal.Also noted was the possibility of giving some form of grants to businesses that have been hurt by COVID-19, but Rosenthal said that would be a “challenge to administer.”“What money do we give any one business?,” asked Rosenthal. “How do we do so to maintain confidentiality, how do we not miss people? I think the cause is noble, but how do you do that in an equitable fashion?”Because of that, Rosenthal said his belief was that it was “better off to do things that would take the sting out of the mill rate.”“Business and residents alike feel the sting when the mill rate goes up,” said Rosenthal.Rosenthal said it was best to use the ARP funds on items that are definitely going to end up in the operating budget, like the police cameras, rather than on “wish list items.”“If the [federal] government shoots down something, I don’t want to be saying, ‘well shoot, we wouldn’t have done that without the extra money,’” Rosenthal said.Capeci said he wanted to “weight the trade-offs,” and Rosenthal stated he would discuss the funds further with Tait to “look at different scenarios and what bonding costs would look like.”Reporter Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.Board of Selectmen discuss American Rescue Plan Money Jim Taylor
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September 24 Walk & Talk CanceledThis week’s Walk & Talk with First Selectman Rosenthal has been canceled.This week’s Walk & Talk with First Selectman Rosenthal has been canceled.An email blast from the first selectman’s office early Thursday afternoon indicated the every-other-week event was being canceled this week due to expected rain.The next walking program at Fairfield Hills with Dan Rosenthal is now scheduled for Friday, October 8. Residents are invited to meet outside the southern entrance of Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, to participate. Reservations are not required.
Newtown Arts Festival Gathers Many
The 2021 Newtown Arts Festival began with musical performances on Friday, September 17, and continued through the weekend.The 2021 Newtown Arts Festival began with musical performances on Friday, September 17, and continued through the weekend with crowds visiting vendor booths on the Fairfield Hills campus.Before the headlining group the Alternate Routes performed on Friday, Gold Roots opened by performing for attendees. The musical evening also included a food truck and beverages.Drizzling rain only paused the music for a short time between the two bands’ sets. When the Alternate Routes took the stage, people gathered on chairs under tents or found places to sit on the ground.The evening kicked off the Arts Festival’s entire weekend program, and the following morning vendor stalls were filled and ready for people to peruse goods, art, and food.Entertainment continued throughout the weekend with different scheduled performances, food trucks were available, and activities for children were offered.The event took place on the soccer/baseball/softball field surrounded by Keating Ferris Avenue and DG Beers Boulevard.More than 40 artisans participated in the event, offering an assortment of paintings, woodworking, jewelry, and other artistic creation, according to the Newtown Arts Festival.For additional information about Newtown Arts Festival see its website newtownartsfestival.com.Education Reporter Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.Newtown Arts Festival Gathers Many Eliza Hallabeck
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Nonprofit Council Shares News, Provides Peek At New Volunteer Hub
The C.H. Booth Library hosted the Newtown Nonprofit Council’s latest meeting through Zoom on September 20. On the agenda was the “News and Views” discussion as well as a look into the new volunteer website called Get Connected.The C.H. Booth Library hosted the Newtown Nonprofit Council’s latest meeting through Zoom on September 20. On the agenda was the “News and Views” discussion as well as a look into the new volunteer website called Get Connected.With so many new people logging in to for the first time, C.H. Booth Library Director Doug Lord started out by introducing himself and explaining that the Newtown Nonprofit Council is essentially “a group of friends who get together and share news and views of what’s going on.”Lord shared that the library has received a grant from the Network of the National Library of Medicine called Get Healthy Newtown.He prefaced that while he usually does not come to these meetings asking things from the public, and instead is there to offer support and collaboration, he would appreciate talking to people/groups individually about this public health outreach effort.“If you have committee meetings, board meetings, internal meeting, external meetings —I would really appreciate being a part of those just in a very small sense, so five–ten minutes on your agendas,” Lord said.He then opened the floor to others to share their news and views going on in the community.Patrice Gans of Random Hacks of Kindness Jr was the first to speak and discussed her organization’s upcoming virtual Hack-A-Thon program called Hacking for Endangered Species, on September 25. The event is open to fourth and eighth graders across the United States.Gans said that she is looking for insight for how to get the word out and get more children to register for the program. Other members in the meeting gave their advice and some even requested she send them the informational flyer so they could help.Jay Thomas of Families United in Newtown (FUN) shared that they have an event this Saturday called Pancakes & Pajamas at the Newtown Congregational Church for dancing, food, and fun. They will also be hosting an event at Castle Hill Farm on October 28 for people to come in their Halloween costumes.“I’m a big FUN fan,” Lord said, adding that he is always happy to spread the word.Donna Monteleone Randle, the American Legion Post 202, let everyone know that they, too, have an event this Saturday, September 25. It is their first children’s Fishing Derby at Great Hollow Lake, in Monroe, from 9 am to noon. Admission is free and there are prizes.She noted, “We have been very fortunate and blessed to have gotten a donation of rods and reels for kids that do not have fishing equipment … due to the generous donation by Friends of Newtown Country Club.”Katherine Simpson, the Newtown Lions Club, discussed the recent approval of the playground project’s adaptive equipment for Dickinson Memorial Park. She said they expect to break ground this fall but are still $3,000 short of their goal.With that in mind, the club is hosting its Treasure Hunt fundraiser at Chintz-N-Prints, 39 South Main Street, also on Saturday, September 25. People can donate their loose change in a zip lock bag. Also, at the same time and place, the Newtown Lions Club is having a tag sale in the parking lot where proceeds go to the playground project.“Meanwhile, that is not all we are doing,” Simpson said.She recapped the recent Great Pootatuck Duck Race and expressed her gratitude for all those who came out. She added that they are continuing to sell Mustang tickets for the car raffle for $10. Lastly, on October 2 the community is invited to join the group with cleaning up Orchard Hill Park.Candice Bohr, Newtown Youth and Family Services (NYFS), informed the Newtown Nonprofit Council that they are currently collaborating with the Knights of Columbus to raise funds for FAITH Food Pantry with a 5K run at Fairfield Hills. The NYFS website indicates it is on September 25.Bohr mentioned that NYFS also gearing up to have its 36th annual Holiday Festival this December and that Newtown High School students are working on rebuilding its Safety Town Camp buildings.Nicki Giordano, EverWonder Children’s Museum, spoke about the upcoming Health Spectacular on Saturday, October 30, that will have a variety of activities at the museum with different time slots.Also, the group’s annual fall fundraiser called Science of Mixology will be at Marygold’s on Main on Saturday, November 6, from 6 to 11 pm.Melissa Houston, the Newtown Historical Society, announced that she is excited to have the group grow in relevance to the community and will have open houses September through June. The next ones that people can look forward to attending a on October 24 and November 21.Maureen Decker, Volunteers Open Worlds (VOW), said that she has a passion for nonprofits. She started her business to create a pool of people where they can connect with business who need volunteers.“I’m eager to get to know more of the nonprofits in Newtown, so that when businesses are looking for opportunities, I can connect them with any needs that [they] may have for volunteers,” Decker said.Get ConnectedBooth Library’s Sarah Patafio started off by explaining that she is the program coordinator for the Newtown Nonprofit Council’s Get Connected project.Lord explained, “Sarah can show the organization side and also the volunteer side to sort of give you a glimpse of what good things are coming down the pike in terms of your ability to establish a consistent presence on the internet to recruit volunteers as well as change up those volunteer opportunities as you have varying needs.”Patafio shared her screen and gave a walk-through of the Galaxy Digital Get Connected site thus far.There were already a few organizations that have been loaded to the website, as well as a few volunteer opportunities.“On the site, you can include a mission statement, contact information, your logo, some photos, your website and social media, and then your actual volunteer opportunity will be posted directly on the page,” she explained.Simpson added that it is like a virtual volunteer fair.The Newtown Nonprofit Council meets on the third Monday of the month at 10 am. The next public meeting is Monday, October 18.For more information about the group and how to get involved, e-mail C.H. Booth Library Director Doug Lord at dlord@chboothlibrary.org.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.Newtown Nonprofit Council meeting Alissa Silber
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Top Of The Mountain
Newtown, from a cat's point of view.If you have managed to miss the news until now, it is not too late to join in on some hometown pride. Father and son singing duo Jim and Sasha Allen auditioned for the newest season of The Voice, the NBC singing competition that began its latest season on Monday. The Newtown duo was featured on the second episode of the new season this past Tuesday night, and they were just wonderful. They performed John Denver’s “Leaving on A Jet Plane,” and had coaches Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande both fighting to work with them. The Allens went with new coach Ariana Grande. Their performance can be seen here: youtube.com/watch?v=ti3Kq1FpOmU. The first few weeks of the new season will continue with at least four more blind audition episodes Mondays and Tuesday evenings at 8 pm. Live performances and voting begins in mid-October. Go Allens!Congratulations to The 12.14 Foundation, which will receive a $2,705 FY22 Supporting Arts Grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts. The COA announced the award on September 21. The fiscal year grants will award a total $1,004,459 to 192 Connecticut arts organizations. The 12.14 Foundation, which supports both the NewArts theatrical activities and a companion character development program, was the only Newtown organization to receive a grant in this round of awards.Speaking of funds, for the month of September 2021, C.H. Booth Library will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Newtown Stop & Shop, 228 South Main Street, as recently shared by the library. The community bag program has been ongoing since May 2019, and has raised funds for multiple Newtown organizations since that time. Among those to benefit have been EverWonder Children’s Museum, Newtown Community Center, and even Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, who received funds after a month of fundraising at the Southbury Stop & Shop location. The program, according to Stop & Shop’s website, has raised a cumulative total of $1.3 million and supported 4,689 nonprofit groups as of September 20. The supermarket chain also estimates the program has meant 39,921,060 single-use plastic bags were not used.C.H. Booth Library is also hosting a Fiber Art North East (FANE) Art & Quilt Exhibit through October 31 in its meeting room. This exhibition incorporates three separate FANE Fiber Art & Quilt exhibits with more than 50 works of art, including the Circle Exhibit, Alphabetica: and the Four by Twelve Fiber Art Exhibit. To learn more about FANE see the website fiberartnortheast.com/about-fane.Newtown School Resource Officer William Chapman, pictured, was spotted by Nico Cuscuna, seen talking with Officer Chapman, adding some paint strokes to the Live Interactive Mural project at Newtown Arts Festival on Sunday, September 19.Speaking of the Newtown Arts Festival, I understand it was a fantastic weekend and I hope the crowds who attended enjoyed all there was to offer, from the vendors and food to the performances. I am particularly spellbound by this photo of the SOVA Dance and Puppet Theater, this year’s featured performance artist, performing at the festival.State Representative Tony Scott joined Monroe First Selectman Ken Kellogg to hold a “Legislative Apps” event in Monroe on September 14 for both Monroe and Newtown residents. The conversation focused around the major events of the 2021 state legislative session, including the legalization of marijuana in Connecticut, the enactment of new statewide zoning laws, and the imposition of a mileage fee on heavy trucks. Scott also explained how his work to build strong relationships with other colleagues paid off at the State Capitol. According to a release, Scott said, “I’m always looking out for the best interests of Monroe and Newtown, and where our local interests align with those of other communities, we try to collaborate to find a common ground that benefits everybody. But, in Hartford, circumstances are always changing. The emergency certification process for bills can allow even the longest, most complex legislation to be called for a vote with less than a day’s notice, before the public has even had a chance to read it! That means it’s all the more important to have a strong minority voice in the House chamber to ensure that all towns are not only being represented in policy discussions, but our concerns and hopes are actually being heard.”Ahead of the next regular legislative session, from February to May next year, Scott encourages constituents in the 112th District to contact him at any time at Tony.Scott@housegop.ct.gov or by calling 860-240-8700. They can also stay up-to-date on bills and future events by signing up for Scott’s email newsletter at RepScott.com.Does your child have an upcoming birthday? Submit their photo, name, and date of birth for our Birthday Wishes announcement, published weekly in the Education section. The weekly deadline to submit a birthday announcement for a Newtown or Sandy Hook child is Tuesday at noon, and every child submitted for Birthday Wishes has a chance to win a certificate for an ice cream cake from Ferris Acres Creamery. To include your child in “Birthday Wishes,” send name, address, phone number, age, and birthday, along with an original head and shoulders photo to Birthday Wishes, The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or e-mail information and a JPG photo to eliza@thebee.com. Please send the photo as an attachment to the e-mail. Birth dates must be within one month of submission.Editor John Voket loves hearing from readers. As the latest member of the Bee Publishing Company staff to sit in the Editor’s chair, one of John’s new responsibilities is coordinating each week’s letters to the editor. On behalf of John, I’d like to remind our readers that the phone number of each letter writer is requested with each submission. They are never published, of course, but it does make the confirmation of each letter go a little faster. Guideline submissions are printed each week, including word limits and other notes; see page A-11 for this week’s letters and those helpful reminders.Poverty Hollow Road resident Antonio Evertez shared this photo of a bear with The Newtown Bee this week. He wrote on September 19, “This guy just came by to say hello.”You may not spot me, but I promise I will be roaming Newtown to gather news as long as your promise next week to... Read me again.Top of the Mountain Story Top Of The MountainTop of the Mountain_283FeaturesNone
Theater Review: ‘Doll’s House, Part Two’ A Wonderful Evening Of Theater On Sherman’s StageDecades after Henrik John Ibsen's Nora left audiences wondering what happened to the woman who left her husband and children to find herself, "A Doll's House, Part Two," now on stage at The Sherman Playhouse, offers some answers.SHERMAN — Henrik Johan Ibsen’s 1879 A Doll’s House left decades of audiences wondering whatever happened to Nora, the renegade woman who left her husband and children to find herself.Nora has returned to tell her story on stage at The Sherman Playhouse, where Lucas Hnath’s A Doll’s House, Part 2 is in performances.The erstwhile wife and mother Nora (played by Alicia Dempster) has returned to the home she so abruptly abandoned to settle some newly discovered complications that could disrupt all she has earned in terms of money, success, and fulfillment. She has found what she loves and it is definitely not marriage, with its incumbent domesticity of the time. She is a firebrand.Upon her return, Nora’s first encounter is with Anne Marie, an aged domestic/nanny (Meg Jones). Anne Marie has known Nora since she was a child. She and Nora kept in touch, but it was Anne Marie who raised Nora’s children.In her brittle bones, Anne Marie cares about Nora, yet finds the complexities of her choices confusing and frustrating.Nora’s former husband Torvald (Joe Harding) returns home early from work and is stunned to find Nora in his house. He is still wounded by the breakup, and his fragility is palpable.Torvald is befuddled and knows not what to make of any of these events, particularly the request that Nora has made to him.The daughter Nora cast off 15 years earlier makes an appearance. Emmy (Desirae Kelley) is now a lovely young woman who is engaged to marry. She is sassy and resourceful. Emmy knows when she is being played and brilliantly turns the tables.Does Nora leave again, or do the two reconcile in this new place that Nora has introduced? The audience cannott help but try to predict the outcome.A Doll’s House, Part 2 gives off a contemporary vibe in its presentation of the challenges and conflicts Nora tangled with during her marriage to Torvald. Her choice to leave was bold and brave, yet what about her children? Was she just an awful mother?Nora does not appear conflicted at all; she is quite satisfied with the way her life has turned out and renders apologies to no one. She has no regrets; in fact, she is quite proud.The challenging role of Nora is excellently played by Alicia Dempster. She is so deeply entrenched in this character, it seems the part could have been written for her. Nora is magically made likable and approachable through the well-written script and Dempster’s skilled portrayal.The doddering Anne Marie is adorably played by Meg Jones. Her physicality along with her exquisite delivery of her lines is wonderful to watch.As Torvald, Joe Harding is solid. His character’s pain and confusion over what has happened to his life is vivid.The clever Emmy is charmingly rendered by Desirae Kelley. Far from innocent, Kelley’s Emmy is wily, as though she has been anticipating this confrontation with her mother since the day Nora left.The simple set is the perfect backdrop for the proficient directing by Michael Schaner.The subject matter of A Doll’s House, Part 2 is as relevant to the state of marriage today as it was in the Nineteenth Century, which makes this production quite pertinent. The cast makes it fascinating.This update on Nora and her family is a wonderful evening of theater.Performances continue weekends through October 9, on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.For the safety of their audience and performers, The Sherman Players continue to follow local and national theater protocols regarding COVID-19. Audience members are required to provide proof of vaccination and wear masks during performances. Questions can be directed to information@shermanplayers.org.Visit shermanplayers.org for ticket details, reservations, and additional information. The Playhouse is at 5 Route 39 North in Sherman. A Doll's House Part Two at Sherman review Elizabeth Young
Story ‘Doll’s House, Part Two’ A Wonderful Evening Of Theater On Sherman’s StageA Doll's House Part Two at Sherman reviewFeaturesNone
Anne Rothstein Elected New Commission On Aging Chair
After former Commission on Aging (COA) Chair Anna Wiedemann announced in July that she would be moving out of Newtown and therefore stepping down from the board, the group appointed Anne Rothstein as its new chair.After former Commission on Aging (COA) Chair Anna Wiedemann announced in July that she would be moving out of Newtown and therefore stepping down from the board, the group appointed Anne Rothstein as its new chair.A Newtown resident of more than 40 years, Rothstein has been an active member of the community throughout her time in town.In addition to the COA, she also serves as a member of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library Board of Trustees, as well as with the Long Range Planning Committee and the Art and History Committee.She was an educator for more than 60 years — 58 of which were spent at Lehman College, CUNY — and recently retired.Rothstein’s professional background and philanthropic nature inspired her to get involved with the COA and those attributes have allowed her to be an asset to the group.“I realize how important it is to care for and engage seniors in our community. They comprise our shared history and our community responsibility,” Rothstein said. “Since 1984 and continuing, I have been a grant writer for Lehman and realized that this may be a skill that could assist the COA.”When asked how long she has been a member of the COA, she replied, “Many, many years — first as an alternate and then as a regular member.”Rothstein’s role as chair of the COA will be effective until December 2021, when Wiedemann’s term would have ended.Future PlansOn August 16, Rothstein started her new position and led the COA’s meeting in the Newtown Municipal Center council chambers.“My first official meeting as chair was the first [time] I have attended in person since the start of the pandemic, and it was wonderful to see all of the council members who were there and to thank the center staff for all their hard work,” Rothstein said.The agenda items for the meeting included a talk given by State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, a discussion about the Senior Center puzzle table and plaque honoring the late Robert “Bob” Sharpe, and a variety of financial approvals during the treasurer’s report.Looking back on the first meeting, Rothstein said, “I thought that the meeting was effective and that we completed the agenda in good time while addressing all of the items.”She also commended her predecessor for helping the group with such a smooth transition of leadership.Rothstein shared that Wiedemann has promised to attend the COA meetings through the end of the year and has “left a legacy of decorum and attention to business that will enable the full board to continue the good work we are seeking to accomplish.”Going forward, Rothstein is committed in being involved in the activities at the Newtown Senior Center.She hopes to “draw upon the wisdom and leadership of [Director of Human Services] Natalie Jackson and [Newtown Senior Center Assistant Director] Judy Thomas who are fully engaged in assuring that the center meets the needs of Newtown seniors.”Additionally, Rothstein shared that since she serves as the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Liaison it may provide further possibilities for senior engagement.“I like to see the possibilities in everyone and in every situation and am open to suggestions and ideas,” Rothstein said.She plans to seek out input from people — such as local seniors, the Senior Center staff, members of the COA, Wiedemann, and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal — to help set upcoming agendas.“Realizing that I am only guaranteed to serve until December, I plan to go slowly and to develop a tentative agenda after consultation with the groups and individuals mentioned. I also plan to draw upon the research I have done for my grants to suggest ways in which Newtown seniors might become further involved in our community,” Rothstein said.She looks forward to making a positive impact on the community and the opportunity to remain in the position of chair.“Hopefully, I will be asked to stand for re-election and be able to continue to serve in this capacity going forward,” Rothstein said.For more information about the Commission on Aging, visit newtown-ct.gov/commission-aging.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.Anne Rothstein Elected New Commission On Aging Chair Alissa Silber
Story Anne Rothstein Elected New Commission On Aging ChairAnne Rothstein Elected New Commission On Aging ChairFeatured Slider, FeaturesNone
Players Compete In Tennis Open And Junior Tourney Coming Up One tourney down, another coming up.The Newtown Tennis Open took place September 18 and 19, and champions were crowned in several divisions.The Newtown Junior Classic tennis tournament will be held on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3. It will take place at Treadwell Park and Newtown High School. Cost is $20 per player.Divisions include u10 boys and girls, u12 boys and girls, u14 boys and girls, and u18 boys, girls, and doubles.Visit newtowntennisassociation.com to sign up.The tourney is directed by Brett Teolis and is supported by the Newtown Tennis Association.Tennis Open Photo Spread Story Players Compete In Tennis Open And Junior Tourney Coming UpTennis Open Photo SpreadFeatured Slider, SportsNone
Boys’ Soccer Team Shows Resilience With Consecutive Wins Boys earn two wins in less than 24 hours.The Newtown High School boys’ soccer team showed resilience this weekend with back-to-back victories in less than 24 hours. The Nighthawks defeated Bunnell of Stratford 3-1 at Blue & Gold Stadium Friday night, September 17, before traveling to Naugatuck for an 11 am kickoff and 2-1 win the next morning.“Two games right in a row was definitely tough on a hot Saturday morning, but I think it was a good test for us mentally as a more disciplined team,” Newtown Coach Ryan Lyddy said.Bunnell led against Newtown 1-0 going into the second half, but the Nighthawks came back with three goals to take control of the game. The coaching staff moved players around into new positions at half time, and the boys raised the pressure.“I think fitness in that specific game was the reason why we won,” Lyddy said.Captain Gunnar Bozentko assisted a goal scored by captain Jake Gonski. Greg Gargano assisted a goal by Connor Muir, and Justin Zemo scored the final goal.“Zemo and Muir did a fine job moving the ball, taking shots when needed, and scoring when we needed,” Lyddy said.The following day in the matchup against Naugatuck, the Nighthawks scored twice in the first half. Zemo scored a goal assisted by Gonski, and Gonski had one himself, assisted by Johnny Moxham.Naugatuck found the back of the net midway through the second half. In the final minutes of the game, the Nighthawks showed their physical and mental toughness in the back with clutch plays by defenders Connor Dullinger and Bennen Blessey as well as key saves by keeper Yarema Stasyshyn finished off the win.Newtown traveled to Weston on September 21 and fell 1-0.NHS Boys Soccer Ally McCarthy
Story Boys’ Soccer Team Shows Resilience With Consecutive WinsNHS Boys Soccer_78Featured Slider, SportsNone
Another Meet, Another Record Performance For Deierlein, Hawks The swim team earned its third win to begin the season.Make it three for three. Newtown High School standout swimmer Brianna Deierlein has set records in each of the first three meets of the season. Newtown’s girls’ swimming and diving squad defeated visiting Joel Barlow of Redding 87-64 on September 21. Deierlein set new pool and team records in the 50-yard freestyle race, winning the event in a time of 24.66 seconds, about three seconds faster than her nearest competitor.Newtown earned first place in all but one event and exhibitioned the last three events after sealing the team win in the 200 free relay.“We had a great meet,” Coach Becky Osborne said. “Very proud of [Brianna] and the team for working hard and supporting each other.”The 200 medley relay team of Deierlein, Grace Fischer, Cate Fischer, and Anna Shew was first in a time of 1:59.49.Shayna Millard won the 200 free in 2:06.08, edging out teammate Diellza Limani (2:07.23). Newtown’s best finisher in the 200 individual medley race was Alexa Kwarcinski who finished second in 2:26.73; and Cate Fischer was third in 2:30.13.Ella Hall won the diving competition with a score of 192.62, Kaitlin Yeaton was second with a score of 156.35, and Julia Calabrese was third with a 136.05.Rachel Arena was tops in the 100 butterfly event, clocking in at 1:11.01; and Lilian Accettella was third in 1:21.75. Newtown finished one-two-three in the 100 free. Kwarcinski won the race in 58.51, and was followed by Shew in 1:01.77, and Maura Daly in 1:03.23. Deierlein was first in the 500, making her final touch in 5:16.76; and Ella Seaver was third in the 500 in 6:17.60.In the 200 free relay, Shew, Kwarcinski, Maddy Watson, and Limani came in first in 1:52.35. The relay of Alexa Unger, Elise Barricelli, Avery Landgrebe, and Lauren Smiley was second in 1:57.92.Millard won the 100 backstroke event in 1:06.10; Grace Fischer was second in the backstroke in 1:08.28. Cate Fischer won the 100 breaststroke in 1:13.12; Rachel Arena was third in the event in 1:24.24.In the 400 free relay race, Grace Fischer, Seaver, Daly, and Millard came in first in 4:07.47.NHS Swimming Andy Hutchison
Story Another Meet, Another Record-Setting Performance For Deierlein And NighthawksNHS Swimming_42Featured Slider, SportsNone
Girls’ Booters Blank Bunnell Bulldogs 7-0 The NHS girls piled up goals in a road win.Six players scored goals to lift Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team to a 7-0 triumph at Bunnell of Stratford on September 17.Ella Morits scored twice, and Izzy Caron, Riley Powers, Katie Rowan, Kendyl Morgenstern, and Skylar Howard all found the back of the net. Goalkeeper Ryann Heim-Sherwood made one save to preserve the shutout.The Nighthawks fell to 2-2 this season when they lost 1-0 to visiting Weston, at Blue & Gold Stadium on September 21. Newtown, following Thursday's game with Immaculate of Danbury will visit Joel Barlow of Redding on Tuesday, September 28, at 4 pm (see the October 1 print edition of The Bee for coverage).NHS Girls Soccer Story Girls’ Booters Blank Bunnell Bulldogs 7-0NHS Girls Soccer_97SportsNone
Newtown Hikers Fall ScheduleNewtown Hikers has opened its 2021 fall season of weekly hikes. Newtown Hikers has opened its 2021 fall season of weekly hikes.This season’s start time is 9:30 am. Anyone participating in hikes is expected to be at the trail head by that time, to start as a group.Most hikes are three to five miles with some elevation. The more challenging hikes will be noted.To keep all hikers safe, the following COVID-19 precautions are in place: the group is currently limited to 15; registration with each week’s listed leader is required; and social distancing and the use of masks are still encouraged.Also, ride sharing is encouraged as some parking lots are small and fill up quickly on the weekends.Registered hikers are asked to contact the hike leader as soon as possible if they need to cancel.Newtown Hikers is a group welcoming to anyone interested in hiking. There is no membership fee.Hikers participate at their own risk and are asked by the Newtown Parks & Recreation Department to sign a release at their first hike. Hikers are advised to bring water and a snack. It is also advised to dress in layers and be mindful of the weather. Rain cancels hikes.Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are advised for safety. Hiking poles can be helpful on steep terrain, especially coming downhill.Children are welcome with an adult but should be able to keep up with the group pace.Dogs are welcome but must be on leash at all times. Hikers should also check with group leaders about dogs when they register; some trails do not allow dogs.For general information about Newtown Hikers contact schedule coordinator Sally Cox at 203-830-9032 or newtownhikers@gmail.com.Season ScheduleThe season continues as follows:September 25: Monroe Bike/Rail Trail, 523 Pepper Street, Monroe, park in lot on the corner of Pepper Street and Cutler’s Farm Road (hike leader is Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);October 2: Giuffrida Park, 778-782 Westfield Road, Meriden (Christa Troiani, 203-751-0297);October 9: location TBD (contact Sally Cox for additional details);October 16: Ives Trail at Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Boulevard in Danbury (note: Newtown Hikers are to park in the lot to the left and follow the driveway to the lot above the mansion; hike leader Karen Gillotti, 203-885-9976;October 23: Sessions Woods, 341 Milford Street/Route 69 in Burlington (Irene Jutnas, 203-556-2933);October 30: Storm King Mountain, Route 9W, Cornwall on Hudson, N.Y., featuring views of the Hudson River (Nancy Ziegler, 475-206-6510);November 6: Macricostas Preserve, 124 Christian Street in Washington, featuring views of Lake Waramaug, (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);November 13: Fahnestock State Park-Charcoal Burners Trail, 1016 NY-301, Cold Spring, N.Y. (Jim Steck, 914-806-4107);November 20: TBD (contact Sally Cox);November 27: Paugaussett Trail, Route 34 (Roosevelt Drive, opposite Lake Zoar Drive-In), Monroe (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);December 4: TBD (contact Sally Cox); andDecember 11: TBD (contact Sally Cox).Newtown Hikers announce 2021 autumn season Story Newtown Hikers Fall ScheduleCultural Events, SportsNone
Quassy Amusement Park & Waterpark, 2132 Middlebury Road/Rte 64, Middlebury
$10/wristband special for Newtown residents (parking $10/vehicle, regardless of hometown), use NEWTOWN21 promo code if purchasing online), also September 25; 203-758-2913, quassy.com.
C.H. Booth Library (gathering room), 25 Main Street
Works by members of FiberWorks, western Connecticut based artists who work in fibers and other materials, this year with artists creating two individual pieces arranged to produce single finished piece, on view to October 29; 203-426-4533.
Screenings of recently released feature co-starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, rated PG-13, continue daily to September 26 (also daily at 7 pm); 203-426-2475, edmondtownhall.org.
Public invited to meet artist and view works done during past 12 months, park in driveway or at 45 Taunton Lake Road (no on-street parking), masks required indoors, also September 25; 203-448-9525, dickmcevoypaintings.com.
Sea Horse Stables at Red Gate Farm, 50 Poverty Hollow Road
Public invited to meet trainers, tour facility, learn about training packages, education services and rider development programs; 203-722-0743, 203-896-7421.
Screenings of recently released feature co-starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, rated PG-13, continue daily to September 26 (also daily at 1 pm); 203-426-2475, edmondtownhall.org.
