News

Newtown Earth Day Will Celebrate Its Tenth Anniversary, April 22

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: March 06, 2017 12:00 am

Dan Holmes is thinking about spring. He and other volunteers are again planning Newtown's annual Earth Day Festival - 2017 is the celebration's tenth year. Intended to recognize the anniversary, he sa...

Fairfield County Giving Day Returning March 9

By Shannon Hicks

Published: March 05, 2017 12:00 am

Area nonprofit groups are hoping to hear from regular supporters and new fans when Fairfield County's Community Foundation (FCCF) presents its fourth annual online Day of Giving. Fairfield County Givi...

Knapp, Llodra Testify On ESC Concerns, Entice OPM Secretary To Visit Newtown

By John Voket

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

Following separate testimonies at the State Capitol March 1, First Selectman Pat Llodra and Legislative Councilman Ryan Knapp confirmedÃÂ that Ben Barnes, secretary of the Connecticut Office of ...

Fire Reports | February 23-28, 2017

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

The dispatchers at the Newtown Emergency Communications Center at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, report the following fire calls and the responders: Thursday, February 23: No calls listed. Fr...

Police Commission Delays Streetscape Meeting

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

The Police Commission, which had planned to hold a public information and discussion session on the Main Street Streetscape Concept on March 7, has delayed the streetscape session. The date, time, and...

Residents Invited To Explore, Comment On New Town Website

By John Voket

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

Whether you are a Newtown resident looking for municipal department information or a way to send a question to one or more town officials, or an official looking to research details in past meeting mi...

Proposed Assisted-Living Zoning Rules Slated For March 8 Hearing

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and comment next week on a set of proposed borough zoning regulations on assisted-living complexes, which have been submitted to the Bor...

Two St Rose Church Projects Planned For Hearings

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

The Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) is scheduled to conduct separate public hearings next week on two projects proposed by St Rose of Lima Church for its nine-acre campus at 46 Church Hill Road - the ...

Community Forum For The Individual Education Program

By Alissa Silber

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

Newtown Public Schools conducted a community forum on the Individual Education Program (IEP) in Newtown High School's Lecture Hall on Thursday, February 23. Sonia L. Raquel, supervisor of special educ...

Finance Board Generates Dozens Of Questions On Budget Matters

By John Voket

Published: March 03, 2017 12:00 am

Over the course of two evenings of deliberations and presentations February 23 and 27, the Board of Finance continued to move incrementally closer to their goal of completing work on the town's and sc...

Hawley Elementary School Returned To 5 Church Hill Road For Annual Walking Tours

Friends Of The C.H. Booth Library Book Sale Turns 50

Connecticut Reports First Case Of Measles In 2026

Newtown Bridge Club Raised Funds For Alzheimer’s Association

Newtown Allies Travel To Connecticut’s Only African American History Museum

To add a bit more context: the adopted Borough budget was for just under $300,000 [https://boroughofnewtownct.gov/borough-of-newtown-budget-approved/]. $58,000 in legal fees (to date) means a significant cost must be shouldered by Borough residents and businesses, increasing taxes noticeably. Many of those pushing the lawsuits were not subject to the added costs because they do not reside nor do business in the Borough.

What’s Going On In The Borough?

Well said. Unfortunately, we are back to more of the same and we know how this will end. However, it gives us an opportunity to question many ways in which the DTC failed residents, voters, candidates, everyone. Brandon Moore was the first candidate to voice interest in running. A strong and well prepared candidate that the town republicans did not want to run against. They made it clear they wanted Ku to be the candidate. We all know you endorse the candidate you have no concerns about. Once Ku decided to try to unseat Bolinsky again, the DTC should have done what it can do and that was choose a candidate or put a good process in place to set up forums and get the caucus over and done smoothly, fairly, and ethically. It did neither. and this is what resulted: The Young Dem Debate became a Ku strategy to claim Ku being victimized, and it backfired; Ku's previous campaign committee went with Brandon Moore in hopes of finally flipping the seat; the DTC delay in organizing any candidate forums led to an inability to get the information out to all (as we see in complaints from new residents regarding lack of information); the DTC was severely split by the caucus chaos and some did not fully participate as a result; and we are back to square one with the candidate Alex Villamil preferred, and the same old guard and the same chance of flipping the seat.

Brandon Moore vs. More of the Same

Wholeheartedly agree with your concerns. There were many troubling issues raised about access to the democratic caucus process.

Democratic Caucus — Tremendous Turnout Meets Poor Planning

Welcome and thank you for your insightfulness. I agree wholeheartedly, however, you will soon learn that the intention is to contain participation. I believe the new residents and the new families are invaluable and hope that you will attend a DTC meeting. You will learn a great deal. Second Thursday of the Month and tonight, June 11th, 7 pm, it is at the Edmond Town Hall. : )

Connecting The Vote In Today’s Age

Mr. Ackert’s letter leaves out an important point: many of the legal expenses he references exist because of the legal challenges and complaints he and his facebook group has chosen to pursue. It is not fair to blame the Borough Zoning Commission Chair for costs that were driven, in large part, by Mr. Ackert’s own actions. Taxpayers should understand that litigation and FOIA complaints do not appear out of nowhere. They are initiated by individuals who decide to take those matters forward. Public officials should absolutely be held accountable, and the Borough should follow proper procedures at all times. But accountability should run both ways. If someone repeatedly challenges the Borough through legal channels, then points to the resulting legal bills as proof of poor leadership, the public deserves that context. Reasonable people can disagree about zoning decisions, development, and procedure. However, turning every disagreement into a legal fight has consequences, and those consequences are paid for by Borough taxpayers. Before assigning blame for legal expenses, Mr. Ackert should acknowledge his own role in creating them.

What’s Going On In The Borough?

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