Cultural Events

Mary Hawley Public Service Award Nominations Open

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Mar 09, 2026 7:45 am

This month marks the third year of the Mary Hawley Public Service Award.

Named in honor of Newtown’s beloved benefactress, the award was established in late 2023 to promote volunteerism by recognizing an individual who, through lengthy and exceptional public service to Newtown, best represents the selfless commitment and spirit of its namesake.

The first award was presented in 2024 to Gordon Williams. Last year Lee Paulsen was named the Second Annual Mary Hawley Public Service Award recipient.

“The Mary Hawley Public Service Award Committee is pleased to announce that nominations for 2026 will open on March 1,” said Bronson Hawley, a selection committee member and relative of the award’s namesake. “This will be our third year honoring Newtown’s unsung heroes, who make our community such a treasure. Those who spend countless hours working in selfless service to other[s]. We encourage you to take a few minutes to nominate someone special in the volunteer world, while also celebrating the cherished legacy of Mary Hawley.”

Nomination forms are available online until May 1 at surveymonkey.com/r/maryhawleyaward.

Hard copies are also available at C.H. Booth Library, Edmond Town Hall, Newtown Senior Center, and Newtown Community Center.

The recipient of the Mary Hawley Public Service Award will be selected in June and their name will be added to the plaque at Edmond Town Hall. They will also receive a personalized memento to commemorate the achievement, and Newtown Savings Bank will donate $1,000 to a Newtown-based nonprofit of their choosing.

Nominations are open for the 2026 Mary Hawley Public Service Award, to be awarded for the third time in June.

Fire Reports | February 25-March 3, 2026

SCAN To Host Bruckmann Demonstrating Clothed Figure In Oil Painting

Police Reports | February 9-March 3, 2026

Financial Foundations: Strengthening Homeowner Financial Stability

A town administrator/operations manager will facilitate a more efficient management of town reseoruces and will result in cost avodiance in all departments. The position will payback much more than it costs.

Disagrees With Capeci On Administrator

Thank you Brandon for providing a realistic view of the cost of war.

Do Not Glorify Violence

Thank you for your service and thank you Brandon Moore. I come from a family of veterans that goes back decades. I am grateful for their sacrifice and have advocated for their rights, as an attorney. There is such a divide between the demands of military service and civilian everyday life that many do not appreciate. I watched my oldest brother manage the two cultures. In the current political climate, I want someone with a long track record of community advocacy that addresses the needs of the Newtown elderly, students, young families, the growing costs of everyday living expenses, gun violence, food insecurity, division amongst groups, long term strategizing for economic development and improvement of quality of life. I have lived in Newtown five years and still do not know all there is to know in order to address the needs of neighbors. Michelle has lived in Newtown for sixteen years and has a record of fighting for the needs of the entire community. At this moment in our existence that is the type of fighter that we need and that is why I am grateful for Brandon Moore's service but my family and I support Michelle Ku and hope that she will be the State Representative and that Brandon Moore will be involved in moving the needs of the Newtown community forward, with the rest of us learning the needs of the community.

I Served Under Brandon And He’s The Real Deal

In the time since this letter was written, the developer looking to redevelop this location reasonably accommodated this concern with an entrance and exit onto state rt 34, a main road. They did not get the same accommodation Toll Brothers was granted for the Simpson's condos, condos on what used to be horse pasture, and before that a Native American camp site. As for the open space concerns, this site is located adjacent to public sports fields, walking distance to Sandy Hook Center, and there is a trail head for a nice walking path in the woods and along the river directly across Oakview. Potential residents would have generous access to open space.

Accessible Housing Is Good, But Not On Ill-Equipped Oakview Road

I generally agree with Tom Johnson, re: following the rules of the road, both legal and/or commonly accepted. However, there are times, especially when the bulk of the traffic is using Main Street to bypass congestion on 84, when yielding to turning drivers at the flagpole makes the most sense. Coming home from Trumbull today, I noticed that several southbound drivers were planning to turn left onto Church Hill, and the line of cars went beyond what I could see. The northbound lane was also very busy. I admit that I may have waived my right by slowing down to create a gap for a southbound car to turn. I then moved to the staging position within the circle (small car so no disruption to northbound traffic), but the intersection was then blocked by southbound traffic turning left. Of note, that intersection can easily become gridlocked if 6-8 drivers claim right of way (3 or 4 cars in each direction).Thankfully, the third lefthand turner stayed back and waived me through. To many people, it is not clear who has right of way in such circumstances. IMO, it makes sense to ensure that traffic can travel north and south, and sometimes that means yielding the right of way. Hopefully someday the State will address the traffic issues on 84 and we will no longer have as much congestion at the flagpole.

Local Team Members Offer Update On Safe Streets For All Initiative

<< Mar 2026 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31	1	2	3	4

Log In

Mary Hawley Public Service Award Nominations Open

Leave a Reply Cancel reply