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Newington, Connecticut
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Newington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 29,306.
rding to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.2 sq mi. None of the area is covered with water, except for two small ponds, found in the town's largest parks, and various small streams. The town of Newington is bordered by the capital city of Hartford, as well as the suburbs of (clockwise from Hartford) Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Berlin, New Britain, Farmington, and West Hartford.
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Encyclopedia
Newington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 29,306.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.2 sq mi. None of the area is covered with water, except for two small ponds, found in the town's largest parks, and various small streams. The town of Newington is bordered by the capital city of Hartford, as well as the suburbs of (clockwise from Hartford) Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Berlin, New Britain, Farmington, and West Hartford. The town consists mostly of residential areas, although it is also home to the Berlin Turnpike, a large, commercial highway. It is where the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium is located.
Mill Pond Falls
The town seal depicts Mill Pond Falls, named for a sawmill that was built there in 1860. The high falls, located in central Newington at Mill Pond Park, is the smallest natural waterfall in the country. A walking path that encircles Mill Pond includes a footbridge which crosses over the waterfall. There is also an observation area with benches at the base of the falls. The park is popular with local residents as a place to walk dogs, ice skate, jog, and picnic; it also hosts the occasional wedding party and festivals. It is open year round.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 29,306 people, 12,014 households, and 8,253 families residing in the town. The population density is 2,223.4/sq mi. There are 12,264 housing units at an average density of 930.4/sq mi. The racial makeup of the town is 92.48% White, 2.08% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.81% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 3.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,014 households out of which 27.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% are married couples living together, 10.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% are non-families. 26.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the town the population is spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $57,118, and the median income for a family is $67,085. Males have a median income of $43,475 versus $35,601 for females. The per capita income for the town is $26,881. 3.5% of the population and 2.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.7% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Education
There are seven public schools in Newington, which serve residents of the town of Newington as well some students from nearby Hartford. There are four elementary schools, which teach pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Children attend the elementary school which is located in the district in which they reside. The names of the elementary schools are Elizabeth Green, Anna Reynolds, John Paterson, and Ruth Chaffee. There are also two middle schools in town, which teach grades five through eight. Students who attended Elizabeth Green or Anna Reynolds elementary, attend Martin Kellogg Middle School, while students who went to John Paterson or Ruth Chaffee elementary, attend John Wallace Middle School. Finally, there is one high school, Newington High School, which is attended by graduates of both middle schools and teaches grades nine through twelve. There are also two other schools in Newington, St. Mary's, a parochal school which teaches grades Pre-K through Grade 8. And there is Emmanuel Christian Academy, which teaches grade Kindergarten through Grade 6.
Newington High School
Until 1933, students of high school age in Newington traveled to Hartford or New Britain to attend high school. In 1933, to save money, eleven rooms were added to the existing junior high school to accommodate grades eleven and twelve. The first senior high graduating class was the class of 1938.
By 1940 improvisation was needed to serve Newington students in already limited space. World War II prevented a building program, but in 1949, Newington's citizenry voted to build a new high school building. This new building was occupied by 1951 and the first class to complete three years in the "new" Newington Senior High School graduated in 1954. Very soon, however, Newington's population growth was reflected in the over crowded conditions at the high school. By the mid-sixties, planning began for a new high school building. Meanwhile, the student population continued to grow. As a result, double sessions were instituted in 1967 and continued through 1971.
In March 1971, Newington High School students and faculty were in their new location at 605 Willard Avenue. On October 3, 1971, Newington High School held its formal dedication ceremonies. Concurrent with the dedication of the high school was the dedication of the auditorium to the memory of Charles A. Bowes, first principal of Newington High School, who died on February 27, 1966. His successor, Warren R. Bourque, second principal of Newington High School, presented Mrs. Ann Bowes a facsimile of the dedication plaque in honor of her husband's forty years of contributions to the improvement of educational opportunities for the youth of Newington.
The high school currently occupies the building built in 1971. The original building, the first separate junior high, was razed and the former Newington Senior High School of 1951 was renovated and is now used as the Town Hall and the Police Department.
Emergency Services
Newington is served by the Connecticut state police, the local municipal police, and the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs Police Department. The municipal police department consists of 45 full-time sworn officers, who also act as the town's first-responders for medical emergencies, all officers have gone through first responder training once more in order to implement the use of new automatic external defibrillators that will be carried in their vehicles.
The town also has an incorporated volunteer ambulance service, that provides basic life support and transport services Monday through Friday from 6:00 pm - 6:00 am and weekends 24 hours. Advanced life support and transport during all other times is provided by American Medical Response. With this system the taxpayers get get charged one bill sent by the volunteer ambulance with the Advance Life Support charge included. This system is used by several surrounding towns in the Greater Hartford Area.
The town is served by a fire department that is 100% volunteer and was founded in 1917. Besides the school system, it is the only part of town government that is not under the control of the Town Council or Town Manager. The volunteer fire department is run by an elected board of three fire commissioners, which appoints the fire marshal, the chief, and all officers. The department has been criticized in recent years for long response times and for failure to respond to emergencies. A study was undertaken during the administration of former town manager Paul Fetherston that recommended eliminating the board of fire commissioners and placing the department under the control of the town manager. During the current (2008) round of Charter Revision, both the immediate past mayor (Mortenson) and current town manager (Salomone) have brought up the topic of the fire services organizational structure.
Building Plans
Currently, the Newington Town Council along with Mayor Jeff Wright are planning to totally change the Western Portion of Route 175 (Cedar Street) and its intersection with Fenn Road.
There are plans to destroy the old welding factory and to put in its place a hotel and many other commercial places. Some of the town council has called this the "Gateway to Newington".
However, plans are being delayed because of traffic concerns and the toxic welding factory. This area, right off the Route 9 Exit 29 location, would bring increased traffic because of the plans. It is still not definite what will happen in this part of Western Newington.
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