Newington, Connecticut
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| Newington, Connecticut | |
  Newington, Connecticut
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| Coordinates: | |
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| NECTA | Hartford |
| Region | Capitol Region |
| Incorporated | 1871 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Council-manager |
| - Town manager | John L. Salomone |
| - Council | Jeff Wright, Mayor Christopher M. Banach Tony Boni John “Jay” Bottalico Thomas J. Bowen Myra Cohen Mike Lenares David Nagel Kristine Nasinnyk |
| Area | |
| - Total | 34.2 km² (13.2 sq mi) |
| - Land | 34.1 km² (13.2 sq mi) |
| - Water | 0.0 km² (0.0 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Population (2005)[1] | |
| - Total | 29,676 |
| - Density | 868/km² (2,248/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 06111 |
| Area code(s) | 860 |
| FIPS code | 09-52140 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213472 |
| Website: http://www.newingtonct.gov/ | |
Newington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 29,306.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Mill Pond Falls
The town seal depicts Mill Pond Falls, named for a sawmill that was built there in 1860. The 16-foot high falls, located in central Newington at Mill Pond Park, is the smallest natural waterfall in the country.[citation needed] 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.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] 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.
[edit] 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's Emmanuel Christian Academy, which teaches grade Kindergarten through Grade 6.
[edit] 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 45 full-time sworn officers[3], who also act as the town's first-responders for medical emergencies, even though most of the officers' medical response technician certificates have expired. The police department has been criticized in 2007 after a probationary police officer was disciplined, but not terminated, for intimidating the republican candidate for mayor, who was recommending the town go to arbitration with the police union over upcoming contract negotiations.[citation needed]
The town also has an incorporated volunteer ambulance service that usually provides basic life support and transport services Monday through Friday from 6:00pm-6:00am and weekends 24 hours.[4] Advanced life support and transport during all other times is provided by American Medical Response. This system is costlier and less efficient for patients and taxpayers and usually results in two bills for the same patient, as the volunteer ambulance service bills for BLS service and transport while AMR will bill for Advanced Life Support.
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 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.[5] The department has been criticized in recent years for long response times and for failure to respond to emergencies.[citation needed] 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)[6] and current town manager (Salomone)[7] have brought up the topic of the fire services organizational structure.
[edit] References
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Town of Newington, CT - Police Home Page
- ^ Newington Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc
- ^ Newington Town Charter, page 3
- ^ January 3, 2008 Charter Revision Commission Public Hearing Minutes, page 2
- ^ February 14, 2008 Charter Revision Commission Special Meeting Minutes, page 4
[edit] External links
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