News

Mark Barden's Comments In Introducing President Obama On April 17, 2013

Published: Apr 18, 2013 12:00 AM

The following is a text transcript of comments made by Mark Barden of Sandy Hook in introducing President Obama at a press conference following the US Senate's vote on gun control measures: “My n...

First-Ever Split Budget Vote Featuring Ballot Questions Set For Tuesday, April 23

By John Voket

Published: Apr 18, 2013 12:00 AM

All qualified residents and property owners are being called to cast ballots on the proposed townwide budget request Tuesday, April 23. Polling will be at a single location — the gym at Newtown Middle...

Police Reports | April 8-15, 2013

Published: Apr 18, 2013 12:00 AM

Evading Police report that at about 10:30 pm on April 9, they were called to the intersection of Bayberry Drive and Lantern Drive concerning a one-vehicle accident that had occurred there. On arr...

State Warns Residents: Beware Of Charity Scams Tied To Boston Tragedy

Published: Apr 17, 2013 12:00 AM

HARTFORD — Following Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon, Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner William M. Rubenstein and Attorney General George Jepsen are alerting re...

Parks & Rec Seeking Support For Park Restoration

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Apr 17, 2013 12:00 AM

“I think the timing is crucial now to get the project out to the community,” landscape designer Billie Cohen wrote in a recent correspondence to Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Ed Marks. Ms C...

Annual Earth Day Clean-Up At Nettleton Preserve Set For April 20

Published: Apr 16, 2013 12:00 AM

The annual Earth Day cleanup at Newtown Forest Association’s Nettleton Preserve will take place on Saturday, April 20. Residents, Scouts, and friends of the environment who wish to volunteer their tim...

A Golden Globe For The Flagpole

By Nancy K. Crevier

Published: Apr 16, 2013 12:00 AM

Paul Bastiaanse and Dan Hern of Valley Restoration in Torrington were above it all, Tuesday morning, April 16, as they repaired the stem and set a new gilded ball in place on the flagpole. The gilded ...

Boston Tragedy Prompts Temporary Support Center, Opening April 17 At Booth Library

Published: Apr 16, 2013 12:00 AM

In response to the tragic events in Boston on April 15, the Town of Newtown is providing a space for the community to have an opportunity to gather for support, guidance, or simply to be with one anot...

Following President Obama's Lead, Governor Malloy Orders Flags Lowered To Honor Boston Victims

Published: Apr 16, 2013 12:00 AM

HARTFORD – Governor Dannel P. Malloy, following a proclamation from President Barack Obama, has ordered US and Connecticut flags to fly at half-staff in honor of the victims of yesterday’s bombing at ...

Drug Disposal Program Slated At Newtown PD

Published: Apr 16, 2013 12:00 AM

The Newtown Police Department and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have scheduled a prescription drug take-back session for 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, April 27, at Newtown Police Station, ...

Fire Reports | April 28-May 4, 2026

Just Over The Border: Southeast Kitchen And Bath’s New Showroom

Police Reports | April 27-May 3, 2026

Silent Auction To Coincide With Garden Club Standard Flower Show

BOE CFF Discusses Itemized Estimates, Summer CIP Projects

Well that is some spin. The Democrats have a super majority on the LC and passed the Education Budget without serious consideration of if the voters could afford the multi million dollar increase. "Was the request justified?" rather than "is this needed?" and "can the voters shoulder yet another large increase?" The voters rightly sent it back. Then for some reason all the discussion around reductions to the increase seemed to be coming from the classroom, rather than administration and overhead costs. Is this a coercive tactic to manipulate parents into supporting the budget like tacit threat of cutting freshman sports was two years ago? Who believes the Democrats did not caucus privately before the meeting and came in with a number already worked out? This is the Dems budget, they own it.

Education Cuts: Who Voted For What

I think it is important that we do not villainize every black box seen around a home, business, farm, or municipal property. A black exterior station does not always mean rat poison is being used. These stations can hold a number of different products, including monitoring blocks, snap traps, non-toxic bait, anti-tick bait stations, organic salt- or cornmeal-based control products, and newer fertility-control approaches intended to reduce rodent populations without traditional poisons. The better conversation, in my opinion, is not simply “black boxes are bad,” but rather: what is inside them, who is maintaining them, and whether the rodent issue is being managed responsibly. Exclusion, sanitation, trapping, habitat reduction, and careful monitoring should all be part of a responsible IPM strategy. To be fair, on my own property I do use rodenticides, including Bromethalin and Bromadiolone, in secured bait stations. But that is a choice I make for my property, based on my circumstances and the risk I am trying to manage. I also believe property owners should understand the tradeoffs and be encouraged to use the least harmful effective method whenever possible. I support protecting Newtown’s wildlife. I also support giving residents accurate information and not assuming that every black box represents reckless or unsafe pest control. The goal should be responsible rodent management, not fear of the box itself.

Discusses Policy Against Rodenticides

Debora, thank you! I accidentally doubled the project prices by adding the bond to the appropriation. Thank you so much for catching that and pointing it out. With the corrected numbers, the voters approved a combined $1.32 million for a salt shed ($600k) and library pavement ($720k), while rejecting the $1.12 million replacement turf. Regarding the 80s, I truly respect the hurdle of 14% mortgage rates. My point is simply that the math has shifted: in 1980, while the rates were higher, the price of a home relative to earnings was significantly lower. We are facing a different, but equally crushing, financial wall. Ultimately, it is disheartening that voters who recognized safe sidewalks and parking lots as essential, dismissed a playing field in the exact same condition. The turf has passed its life cycle and is just as much of a liability as the library’s pavement, the only difference is that this safety concern affects thousands of children who, coincidentally, cannot vote. These are apples-to-apples needs. I was hopeful our community would agree that all Newtown residents deserve safe conditions, regardless of which facility they utilize. Again, I would be remiss not to mention that when 82% of residents don’t show up, we have to deal with the interests of those who did. Hopefully, the next referendum will have a bigger turnout.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Thanks for the reply. I meant the numbers you presented in your letter. I found one place where other numbers were listed: https://www.newtownbee.com/04232026/get-out-and-vote-on-the-2026-27-proposed-municipal-and-school-budgets/?q=\\\%22advisory%20questions\\\%22. In that article, the numbers were cited as: Treadwell field: $1,125,000 Library: $720,000 Salt Storage: $600,000 As one who started out in the early 80's when inflation was double digits, my 1985 mortgage rate was 14%, and child care costs were comparable (in present value), I shared your grief but never considered the voters ironic or shameful. PS. I agree college tuition is ridiculous. Thankfully, universities are offering (or considering) waiving all or most tuition for middle class families (upwards of $200,000 incomes). Hopefully, they'll also reconsider their need for those funds in the first place.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Sure! Child care costs: https://www.ffyf.org/2022/10/13/data-child-care-prices-continue-to-rise-ahead-of-midterm-elections-outpacing-inflation/ (also from 2021-2025 we had 2 children in a local daycare in Newtown and it cost us $3200 a month, so that's a number I am very familiar with) Home price / median price vs income source: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/home-price-income-ratios Tuition increase vs inflation: https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/noting-a-decline-in-middle-class-students-colleges-provide-more-aid/ Hope this helps :)

The ‘Me’ Generation

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