The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) met over Zoom on December 3 to continue the public hearing for Application 20.09 by Paul Hilario and to have the first public hearing for Application 20.12 by ...
Newtown Savings Bank hosted a pair of Toys For Tots collection events last week. Collection bins in town are still available for a few more days for those who wish to participate in the annual toy drive.
With Americans now paying the price for what they did over Thanksgiving and falling sick with COVID-19, health officials are warning people — begging them, even — not to make the same mistake during the Christmas and New Year’s season.
Governor Ned Lamont is directing US and State of Connecticut flags to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday in remembrance of those killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. — Bee file photo
Luminaria are being placed along Main Street, side streets, and around Hawley Pond today, a tradition postponed from last Friday night due to bad weather.
The Newtown unit of The Salvation Army has three openings for bell ringers today, December 11.
Each opening is for 60 minutes. Openings are available for noon at Bagel Delight, 34 Church Hill Road; 12...
Two upcoming issues of The Newtown Bee will have early deadlines due to Christmas and New Year’s Day. Multiple entities will also have hours affected due to the holidays.
Following a public referendum November 3 that passed by more than 2,000 votes, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) formally accepted a recommendation to add a residential option to the Fairfield Hills Master Plan.
Newtown Interfaith Council will host an online event Monday evening to commemorate the eighth year since the shootings at Sandy Hook School. Additional resources are available for those who want to pray or find guidance on or ahead of Monday, December 14.
I agree with your point, Tom.
However, the sheer volume of Trump's false statements and claims -- vs. anyone else -- is astonishing and noteworthy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_or_misleading_statements_by_Donald_Trump
President Biden, too, has claimed “inflation was 0%,” when in fact prices remained elevated. He told us his Afghanistan withdrawal was a “success,” even though Americans and allies were left behind and 13 service members lost their lives. He promised not to build another foot of border wall, but later quietly restarted construction. These examples matter just as much as Trump’s because they show that political dishonesty isn’t unique to one side.
The point is not to excuse Trump or Biden—it’s to recognize that truth matters, and voters deserve accountability from all leaders. Singling out one politician while giving others a free pass only fuels division.
It’s important to put the 8-30g application into context. The reason developers in our town resort to Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing statute is precisely because obstructionist voices, led by Mr. Ackert, have repeatedly opposed reasonable housing proposals through local zoning channels. When projects are delayed or denied outright under the guise of “protecting character,” developers have little choice but to pursue the state-level remedy.
Mr. Ackert portrays 8-30g as a loophole being abused, when in fact it exists because communities that resist creating diverse housing options need accountability. If our town had a stronger record of working collaboratively to meet housing needs, developers wouldn’t feel compelled to bypass local boards in the first place.
Regarding wetlands and Inland Wetlands Commission review, it’s worth remembering that these processes are not ignored or hidden from the public. Applications that impact wetlands must comply with environmental regulations, and developers are subject to oversight. Suggesting otherwise unfairly discredits both the staff and the commission, who follow established procedures.
The public certainly deserves transparency, but it is misleading to imply that this project was pushed through in secret. The broader issue is that continued “Not In My Back Yard” obstructionism drives applicants to use 8-30g, ensuring that local zoning boards lose the very control residents claim to want preserved.
If we truly want more local say in how projects are shaped, then we need to stop reflexively opposing housing and start working constructively with applicants. Mr. Ackert’s campaign of resistance has only created the exact conditions he now complains about.
It's certainly good news that a temporary patch to rationed water in Newtown is in effect. But taking a year to come up with a patch is concerning. Where is the sense of urgency to get this permanently fixed?
