The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced installation of Wrong Way Driver Countermeasure Systems will take place on I-84 East and West at Exits 10 and 11 next week.
As National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2024 nears its end, Newtown Conservation Commission reminds readers that awareness of and action against invasive plants should be done all year.
Precautionary evacuations took place on Thursday, February 29, throughout Fairfield Hills, after a 2-inch gas line was breached shortly after 8 am during water line work at the Town-owned campus.
Two local establishments were found non-compliant during recent inspections to determine who was following state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youths under the age of 21.
The Board of Finance has finished its review of the 2024-25 proposed budgets and cut more than $500,000.
Published: Feb 29, 2024 08:00 AM
UPDATED: Access to Fairfield Hills was limited this morning following a gas line breach. The campus was evacuated for approximately 2½ hours while first responders and other personnel were on the scene.
UPDATED: Campus Reopened Following Gas Main Break At Fairfield Hills UPDATED: Access to Fairfield Hills was limited this morning following a gas line breach. The campus was evacuated for approximately 2½ hours while first responders and other personnel were on the scene.FINAL UPDATE (1:42 PM): Newtown Municipal Center and NYA Sports & Fitness Center have reopened, Newtown Parent Connection is open, and NewSylum Brewing Company reportedly plans to open at its regular 4 pm time this afternoon.Outdoor areas — walking trails, fields, etc — are now accessible.* * * * * UPDATE (11:06 am) : Newtown Police Department has cleared from Fairfield Hills, as have all firefighters, and the campus has been reopened. Walking trails, outdoor recreation areas, and fields are now open. Businesses and municipal services will remain closed, according to the PD.Repairs to the gas line will continue, also according to the PD.Newtown Municipal Center will remain closed for the day.* * * * * UPDATE (9:21 am): This story has been updated with information from Newtown Police Department.9:51 am: It has also been updated to include details about a CodeRED alert issued by the Town. * * * * * Access to Fairfield Hills this morning is limited following a gas line breach. The campus is being evacuated and first responders are on the scene after a main line was broken around 8:15 am. A construction company has been working on the water line within the campus all week.Eversource and the gas company have been contacted.Newtown Police closed both entrances to the public, and confirmed "the campus has been evacuated and is closed at this time."By 9:20 am, the PD said the gas line was no longer leaking "but the campus remains closed."The PD also noted there were no reported injuries. Newtown Emergency Communications Center Director Maureen Will issued a CodeRED alerting residents to the closure of the campus.“Police and fire are on scene, and they are working to take care of the issue. Please stay away from the campus until further notice.”
Dozens of Newtown citizens attended the February 20 Economic Development Commission meeting, when discussion of a Town owned property on Commerce Road was featured.
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.