Newtown officials have announced the next round of distribution opportunities for free COVID-19 test kits. Registration goes live Saturday, January 15, at noon.
Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD updated state COVID-19 guidance for Pre-K-12 schools just as the FDA cleared 12-15-year-olds to receive booster shots.
By John Voket
Published: Jan 01, 2022 05:06 PM
Newtown officials told
COVID Test Kits Going Out January 2 To Newtown Residents With ReservationsNewtown officials told The Bee all residents who completed online reservations for free COVID-19 test kits will be able to pick one up Sunday, January 2 - but pre-registered households will only be able to receive one kit instead of two.After a delayed delivery and distribution modifications that stymied both residents and officials last week, some qualified Newtown households will begin receiving free rapid COVID-19 test kits on Sunday, January 2.Only residents who received an e-mail confirmation after registering online last week will be qualified for a scaled-back distribution of one kit containing two rapid tests. The original plan was to allow up to two kits - containing two tests each - per authorized registrant.The town's Emergency Management office has received enough kits from the state to distribute one kit - containing two tests - to each individual who successfully registered and received a confirmation last week, Health District Director Donna Culbert told The Newtown Bee on New Year's Day. Culbert told The Bee any resident who received an email authorizing a pick-up during a scheduled time frame December 31 must report to the Reed Intermediate School during that same time frame on Sunday, January 2. Upon verifying registration and residency information, qualified residents will receive one test kit, even if they originally requested two.Residents with confirmed pick-ups will be or have received additional correspondence from the town on January 1."We know this has been challenging for everyone, we appreciate all the support and patience that we have received for a not-ideal situation," said emergency management officials in a statement last week after learning the planned December 31 dispensing of COVID tests would not be happening."We will communicate news about additional test kits and masks coming in to the community in the coming days and/or weeks when we receive it, the notification continued."If you haven’t already, please sign up for News and Announcements on the Town of Newtown website, visit newtown-ct.gov and on the lower right hand side of the page click on 'Subscribe to Our Mailing List' where you can enter your email address and select the type of info you would like to receive," the advisory stated. "At a minimum check News and Announcements."Culbert stressed that every person with a confirmation has one kit reserved for pick-up on January 2.
A shipping delay is forcing Newtown officials to postpone distributing thousands of COVID-19 in-home test kits to residents who qualified to pick them up Friday, December 31.
Newtown Emergency Management officials have pivoted to a system that will require online registration for qualified residents to receive up to two free COVID-19 test kits on Friday, December 31.
There are many considerations as it relates to the development of the Castle Hill property as noted. I am supportive of the proposal and to approval process as it is sensitive to concerns being raised. The proposal provides another housing and lifestyle option for long time residents and newcomers with great accessibility to town. The developer is a long time resident with a solid reputation and the best interest of town at heart. It is not wise to make gross assumptions but I would think it would be a net positive (will attract empty nesters) to the tax base versus incremental town costs required. Net positive tax base growth supports continued investment in our great school system. Working in partnership with historical groups, bike and trails, the borough and others could actually add another great part of our amazing town.
EDITOR'S NOTE: We do not publish everything that goes into print on our website. We never have. It's a longstanding policy that our print subscribers benefit by being able to read every feature, article, press release, etc, and see every advertisement, thanks to their paid subscriptions. Many stories are posted a few days after each print edition is published but some are never shared online.
The Board of Education vacancy created by a resignation on February 20, which was filled on March 19, was covered in the March 22, 2024 print edition. Sorry you missed those stories.
I am on the Newtown Bike and Trail Committee and we have been promoting and maintaining this trail for years. It literally goes through the middle of 20/60 Castle Hill Rd., and was added to the register of historic places around 2003: https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/02001679 . That said, I think nearby development and trail preservation could be compatible, depending on the plan.
Its not just this meeting - its pretty much all town meetings. When was the last time you saw an article on the Bee's website regarding P&Z or BOE? Did you know that a BOE member resigned in January and a new one was appointed? These used to be featured articles on the Bee website after they went into the print edition. Unfortunately, things have changed a lot at the Bee since Mr. Voket left.
I have lived in Newtown for over 60 years and this is the first I have ever heard of the Rochambeau Trail. When I checked with the National Park Service and our state only Nationally Historic Site the official records of the Rochambeau Trail administrated by NPS does not travel through this property. If you are arguing it is "Near" the trail then where was the outrage when Big Y was built? The new development on 6 and 25 or even the Starbucks.