News

Parks & Rec Cancellations, Additional Schedule Changes Expected Ahead Of Arctic Air, Snow Squalls

By Shannon Hicks

Updated: January 30, 2019 11:10 am

All afternoon and evening Parks & Rec programs scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, have been canceled. An overnight ice storm left many secondary roads and surfaces coated in ice. Meanwhile, snow squalls and rapidly dropping temperatures are expected before nightfall.

Newtown Public Schools Closed Wednesday, January 30

Updated: January 30, 2019 9:00 pm

Newtown Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, January 30, due to the weather. The announcement was made Wednesday morning.

Governor Lamont Activates State’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol

Updated: January 29, 2019 4:35 pm

Governor Ned Lamont announced January 29 that he will activate the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol beginning at noon on Wednesday, January 30, and lasting through noon on Sunday, February 3.

Oxford Resident Trooper's Office Seeks Help Identifying Suspects

Updated: January 30, 2019 8:48 am

The Oxford Resident Trooper’s Office is looking to identify a white male and female who on three separate occasions were seen on CCTV stealing baby formula and disposable razors from Market 32 grocery store in Oxford. The unpaid items are valued at approximately $1,103.18.

After School & Evening Events Canceled Due To Expected Weather

By Shannon Hicks

Updated: January 29, 2019 1:59 pm

Newtown Public Schools has announced all after school and evening events are being canceled for Tuesday, January 29, due to winter weather expected to move into the area.

First Selectman Will Host Listening Session Regarding Senior Center

Updated: January 30, 2019 3:55 pm

UPDATE {Wednesday, January 30, 2019): Due to expected weather conditions, this program is being postponed to 6 pm Wednesday, February 6. || First Selectman Dan Rosenthal will be at C.H. Booth Library Wednesday evening to hear from the senior community.

Rep Brennan Plans Saturday Sit Down

By John Voket

Published: January 29, 2019 7:00 am

State Rep Allie-Brennan (D-2) has scheduled a 2nd District Sit Down on Saturday, February 2, at The Sycamore, 282 Greenwood Avenue, from 10 am to noon.

State, Local Bank Ready To Reactivate Loan Initiative

By John Voket

Updated: January 28, 2019 7:02 pm

With a three-week stay until another possible large-scale furloughing of federal workers takes effect, Newtown Savings Bank is not dismantling its emergency loan program that was put in place and ready to launch just as President Donald Trump reopened the government on Friday, January 25.

P&Z Approves Intensified Plans For Exit 10 Retail Center

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: January 27, 2019 8:00 am

Following a review of revisions to the plans for a retail center at 73-75 Church Hill Road, Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved those changes.

Review Committee Talks Housing, Development

By Kendra Bobowick

Updated: January 28, 2019 9:47 am

The Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee, a group that convenes every five years to reassess the Master Plan for Fairfield Hills redevelopment, welcomed public input for current potential uses for recreation and town services at Fairfield Hills, Tuesday, January 22.

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

Newtown Earth Day Festival Was A Success

Local Fourth Grader To Host ‘Gaming For Change’ On May 16

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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