Newtown Nonprofit Council (NNC) had its virtual monthly meeting August 15 to catch up on news among those in attendance.

C.H. Booth Library Director Douglas Lord led the meeting and shared that the library is progressing nicely with a variety of projects.

He showed a poster board with images of the library’s new van and trailer that was ordered more than a year and a half ago. It will be coming soon to the library, and it will allow the staff to do pop-up libraries and deliveries. It will also be utilized at the Newtown Farmers Market.

“I’m very excited about that,” Lord said.

He announced that the library’s signage project is nearing the point where they can review final plans.

“Unless you’ve been here [at the library] a few times, you just don’t know what’s here or where to go,” Lord said.

He also emphasized his goal of bringing more nonprofit groups to the council meetings to build the network.

Steve Bennett, who is a representative of both the Salvation Army and Newtown Congregational Church, reported that there will be a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the church on Labor Day (Monday, September 5) before the parade in town.

“We are connected with the Labor Day Parade very strongly,” he noted.

He encouraged people to park at the church, at 14 West Street, to enjoy the pancake breakfast and then walk to the Labor Day Parade after.

Katherine Simpson, who is a member of Newtown Congregational Church and Newtown Lions Club, said the church will continue hosting blood drives through June 2023. At the September 1 blood drive, Newtown Lions Club members will be volunteering at the refreshment table.

She said the Newtown Lions Club will also be walking in the parade this year.

Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) representative John Boccuzzi, Sr, gave a few updates about his organization, including its transportation initiative.

“We got the first selectman to approach the council of governments concerning a plan for a fixed bus route through Newtown,” he said. “That proposal has been put together and shared with [HARTransit] and with the lower Fairfield County system of buses. We’re looking at what could happen here in Newtown to bring some transportation options to the town.”

Boccuzzi added that FONS is preparing to host an Octoberfest and has submitted its long-range livable community plans to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

He concluded by saying, “We are always looking for volunteers of any age and new members.”

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Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.