You Showed Up, You Spoke Out—Now Let’s Talk Results
You did it, Newtown! Your recent vote just gave the green light to five big community projects and approved next year’s town and school budgets.
What’s coming up:
The school board still needs to cut about $900,000 from the budget
The town’s tax rate (mill rate) will go up by about 6.7%—final number coming soon from the Legislative Council
We see you—residents and parents who spoke up loud and clear for curbside recycling and fully funded schools. That mattered.
Big thanks to our town staff and local leaders for sticking with it through a really tough budget year. And, major props to our Democratic reps who tackled rising costs and falling revenue, and still fought to protect great schools and strong public services for all of us.
Got questions about what this means for your taxes or your kid’s school? Message us—we’ve got your back. AND, stay tuned for more about who we are and what we do in an upcoming behind the scenes series of interviews and updates.
This month’s Newtown Boards update:
Board of Selectmen (BOS)
The First Selectman is working on clear, consistent rules for signs on public property—schools, buildings, everywhere. Not just lawn signs.
The BOS keeps pushing for answers about the Aquarion well that’s been down since the August 2024 storm. A resident’s FOI request in March uncovered a letter from Aquarion (dated Sept 2024) warning of a “looming crisis” if a blocked culvert under the railroad isn’t fixed. That culvert’s blocking the Pootatuck River and holding up the well repair. Aquarion temporarily hooked us up to water from Eastern Fairfield County. Meanwhile:
No new water hookups
Non-essential water use is banned for Aquarion customers
Edmond Town Hall got a new financial procedures doc—everyone’s on the same page now.
The BOS approved a lot-line swap so a garage accidentally built on town land is now squared away.
Ben Viola (Democrat) will fill a vacant spot on the Water & Sewer Authority.
Year-end budget transfer prep is underway.
Two finalists are up for a brand-new Investment Advisor role (paid from interest income). BOS will interview them—Finance Board & Legislative Council are joining in.
Passed the updated Policies with only a few tweaks.
Board of Education
Budget passed! More updates coming after this week’s meeting.
Legislative Council
Budget passed here too. More details after Wednesday’s meeting.
Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Now under review:
Mixed-use housing at old Taunton Press on Route 25 – public hearing continues
Senior housing (55+) on Glen Rd near the Southbury bridge – hearing starts May 15
Two-story storage facility next to Liberty housing on Mt. Pleasant – hearing also starts May 15
No new updates on the Vessel 8-30g case or Castle Hill lawsuit.
Fairfield Hills Authority (FHA) No updates this week.
Did you miss the rally?
We stood in solidarity. We demand a country that puts our families over their fortunes—public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, prosperity over free market politics.
Spark the Movement: Every friend you talk with helps build the momentum we need to create real change right now. Invite your friends to take that first simple step—show up, speak up, and be part of voices rising with us.
Bring a friend: Text your group chat. Call your coworker. Pull up with your neighbor. The more people we unite, the louder we are and the stronger we get!
Paid for by Newtown Democratic Town Committee, John Fletcher, Treasurer
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