News

Following Recommended Cut, Council Hears From Employee Medical Benefit Board

By John Voket

Published: March 22, 2016 12:00 am

Newtown Finance Director Robert Tait began a recent presentation to the Legislative Council about the town employee self-insured medical plan with an apology. "I'm sorry - I wish I could make this exc...

Costs Rise To Replace Edmond Town Hall Boilers

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: March 21, 2016 12:00 am

A project at Edmond Town Hall for upgrades to the boilers, "the ladies down below," will cost more than the $300,000 allotted in the town's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) said Board of Managers Chairm...

A Snowy Start To Spring

By Shannon Hicks

Published: March 21, 2016 12:00 am

Mother Nature coated Connecticut with a blanket of snow on the second day of spring, although the western half of the state was faring much better by daybreak than the eastern side. Newtown awoke to 2...

Two Hour Delay For Newtown Public Schools Monday

Published: March 21, 2016 12:00 am

Newtown Public Schools will have a two hour delay Monday, March 21, due to the weather.

Rochambeau Woods: 29-Unit Condo Complex Proposed For Mt Pleasant Road

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: March 21, 2016 12:00 am

A development firm is proposing the construction of 29 condominiums at a multifamily complex that would be built on Mt Pleasant Road in the borough.Environmental Review Site History Hunter Ridge, ...

Police Commission Conditionally Hires New Officer

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: March 21, 2016 12:00 am

Following a March 10 job interview, the Police Commission conditionally hired a Newtown woman as a probationary police patrol officer. Following her interview in executive session, commission members ...

WSA Recommends Firm To Expand Hawleyville Sewer System

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: March 21, 2016 12:00 am

The Water & Sewer Authority (WSA) is recommending a construction firm to expand the Hawleyville sanitary sewer system, a municipal infrastructure project intended to stimulate economic development nea...

More Restaurants In Business Zones?

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: March 21, 2016 12:00 am

In response to a letter of inquiry concerning the possibility of adding a "restaurant" as an allowed use in a Business-Professional Office (BPO) zone, George Benson, town director of planning, has tol...

Newtown's School Budget Earns CABE Award

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: March 20, 2016 12:00 am

Board of Education Vice Chair Michelle Ku spoke as the Area 5 director for Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) to announce and present the Award of Excellence for Educational Communi...

Future Forecast Committee To Look At School District's Space Needs

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: March 19, 2016 12:00 am

The first meeting of the Future Forecast Committee was Tuesday, March 15, and Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, introduced members to the group's task and timeline. The committee is char...

Top Of The Mountain

Garden Club Spring Plant Sale Saturday

Full Slate Of May Programs Planned By Flagpole Photographers

Girls' Golfers Take On Notre Dame, Immaculate, And Masuk

Boys' Lacrosse Battles Defending Champs And Defeats Pair Of Nonconference Foes

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.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

I am glad to see First Selectman Bruce Walczak engaging the electorate. Mark your calendars, folks — apparently, communication from Town Hall is possible after all. But where was Bruce two days ago, when Connecticut State Police requested assistance from Newtown Police after two individuals fled on foot from an I-84 crash? As a manhunt went through town, police were stationed at our schools, and many residents checked their car doors, deadbolted their houses, and armed themselves (Thank you James from Port Conway). That sounds like exactly the kind of situation where residents would expect timely communication from town leadership. Parents, neighbors, and residents in the affected area should not have to piece together information after the fact while police are actively searching the community. The issue is not whether our police did their job. They did. The issue is whether Town Hall is doing its job when it comes to keeping residents informed during real-time public safety situations. If the First Selectman can write to residents about the importance of showing up for the budget, he should also show up when residents are looking for clear, timely information during an active police incident. This kind of communication was promised during the campaign. Unfortunately, Bruce Walczzzzak is starting to look like just another politician: campaign on change, criticize the last guy, ask taxpayers for more staff, and then tell residents the job still cannot be done.

The First Selectman On The Budget

528 more feet of broadsheet paper ... we have passed the dump ... as for the details, it is worth pointing out that Merrimack's coal plant shifted to two (2) 4 oil generators. I wonder if this is why crude oil production hit record highs in July...

Elections Have Consequences XXV

Where was our CodeRED? For over 4 years Newtown has a CodeRED system. The town tells residents it exists for emergencies and points to things like missing persons, wildfires, and criminal activity as the kinds of incidents it is meant to address. Yet we had no CodeRED for Kateri Doty, no CodeRED for the brush fires, and no CodeRED for yesterday’s manhunt with police and tracking dogs moving through our backyards. That is not one oversight. That is a pattern. Under sleepy Bruce Walczak, the town has an emergency notification system that never seems to get used when actual emergencies happen. Whether or not Bruce physically sends the alert himself is beside the point. If the system is not being used, if residents are left hearing about dangerous situations from Facebook and the neighbors’ kids instead of from their own government, then that failure belongs to him. Newtown residents should not have to guess when there is a public safety issue unfolding around them. If Bruce Walcz"zzz"ak cannot make sure an emergency alert system is used for emergencies, then what exactly is he doing?

State Police Seeking Two Evading Responsibility For Incident

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