* * *

“We’re just about on schedule,” said Newtown Water Company General Manager Kevin Moran this week regarding the new water source. The utility official said he expected the water to be on line by mid-November. While its 840 customers will no doubt be happy about the improved water quality, they definitely are not pleased with the proposed 168 percent rate increase the company says it needs to complete the Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA) project mandated by the government.

* * *

Due to a mechanical breakdown in the modular type ambulance in Newtown, the Newtown Ambulance Association has been forced to borrow an ambulance in order to maintain townwide coverage. According to Bob Carroll, assistant chief of the Ambulance Association, a rod broke in the engine of the town’s Horton ambulance, purchased in 1979. Specialty Hearse is the company from which the town is purchasing a new ambulance.

* * *

A state superior court judge has refused the Town of Newtown’s request to set aside a writ of mandamus sought by local septic tank pumper, Earl Conklin, who wants the town to pay for his hauling costs to transport septage to Bridgeport. Newtown has no septage disposal site. The town pays a pumper’s fee of $25 per load, but does not reimburse them for the travel costs.

* * *

Locating the town’s elderly citizens and identifying their needs is high on the priority list for new Commission on the Aging Chairman Jane Bordzol. Mrs Bordzol, of Walker Hill Road, took over as chairman at the commission’s annual meeting, October 19. A commission member since March, Mrs Bordzol fills the position held by Mrs Shirley Lawrenson who, according to town ordinance, had served the maximum number of terms possible on the commission.

* * *

Once again area residents flocked to the opening of the annual Haunted House on Church Hill Road. Sponsored by the Jaycees, the event usually draws crowds totaling 8,0000 to 10,000 annually. Claimed to draw the largest crowds in the area, the Jaycees are hoping to top the charts once again. Ten frightful rooms make up this year’s exhibit. Admission is $1.50.

* * *

In spite of a cutoff of state funds to pay for the annual flu shot program for the elderly, the Town of Newtown will fund the program, the Legislative Council decided Wednesday. The council approved a $500 transfer of funds from the highway department’s personnel account to the health department for the program, which is expected to be held in November.

 

October 26, 1956

To see that the edict of a sane Hallowe’en is enforced, special constables have been recruited to work all sections of town next Wednesday night. There are many parties arranged for the town’s youngsters, and what with the fun provided by a number of organizations, plus collecting pennies for UNICEF, Newtown children should have a great night without getting into mischief, the selectman says.

* * *

Some 40 townspeople attended the special hearing held last Thursday evening in the gymnasium at the Edmond Town Hall. The hearing was called by the Board of Selectmen at the request of the State Highway Department, to inform citizens of Newtown as to the details in connection with the relocation of Route 6 from the present intersection of Route 34 to the proposed exit on Church Hill Road below the railroad underpass. Robert Mitchell, engineer of traffic planning and design for the State Highway Department, presided. Mr Mitchell stated that the Sandy Hook bypass would be completed one year from now.

* * *

A look at the storefronts in Newtown, a glance at this week’s Bee will indicate that something special is going on in town this weekend. Billed as “Greater Newtown Days — Two Great Days — Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27,” the slogan means what it says. Bargains, specials, sales and discounts are being featured by most of the Newtown stores and business places during the two days.

* * *

A party for veteran patients of Fairfield State Hospital was sponsored by members of the Raymond W. Harris Post, VFW, of Bridgeport, Wednesday evening, October 24, in Kent House on the hospital grounds. Highlight of the evening was the presentation of a 21-inch television set which has been donated by the Major Raoul Lufberry Post, VFW, of Wallingford.

* * *

In connection with Greater Newtown Days this week end, Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27, the Newtown League of Women Voters is reminding townspeople that its book on Newtown History is still available. Copies may be obtained at the town clerk’s office in the Edmond Town Hall, The Hobby Horse, Main Street, or at Newtown Music Shop in the shopping center.

* * *

SAC Notes: The old apple tree which stood on the northeast corner at the park is no more. It just got tired and fell down when the going got too tough once too often. When trimming up the branches of the dead tree, the first sign made for the club was rescued. Norman Anderson painted it and brought it to the first meeting the boys had at SAC Park which was held by the light of an auto in an open field following a work project in 1949.

 

October 23, 1931

Newtown was again put on the news map of the state in an unpleasant way in a brutal attempt at murder on the part of a colored man, who cut and slashed his wife on the throat and abdomen and then turned and fled. The young woman attacked was Mrs Louise Void and her assailant was her husband. The assault took place on the lawn in front of H. Sanford Beers’ place, where Mrs Void was employed.

* * *

The department of Vocational Agriculture of Hawley school has entered its ninth year. Interest has centered itself mainly with boys of high school age living on farms and interested in farming or its related industries. The Agricultural curriculum, if completed with satisfying grades, admits students to Agricultural Colleges of most states.

The pupils and teachers of the Sandy Hook school had the pleasure of hearing President Hoover’s address broadcast, Monday morning, from Yorktown, Va., inaugurating the Sesquicentennial celebration of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. This was made possible through the kindness and courtesy of John J. Keane of the local radio store.

* * *

The citizens of the town were startled, Friday, by the news of the tragedy at the Sandy Hook bridge over the Housatonic river, when the automobile of Stephen Strebel, 74 years old, of Narrowsburg, N.Y. went through the bridge carrying the driver and his pet dog to their death in the river, many feet below. Mrs Strebel, who was riding at her husband’s side, on the front seat of the automobile, was thrown out of the car, as it skidded on the wet pavement at the east approach to the bridge and to that circumstance owes her life.

* * *

W.A. Honan, genial Hawleyville merchant, is completing extensive improvements in his store. The store is being moved from the east to the west side of the building, so that the store faces the state highway. The change will give Mr Honan more room and will be appreciated by the public.

* * *

The annual membership drive for the Visiting Nurse Association, which has been in progress for the past two weeks, came to a close on Tuesday. The chairman reports with keen disappointment a very noticeable decrease in many of the larger contributions and to date the total amount received is $675, with three districts still to be reported.

 

October 26, 1906

The new scientific cabinet at the High school has been completed and is now in use. The cabinet with its added equipment is a needed addition to the school. C.B. Glover did the carpenter work.

* * *

The Men’s club was delightfully entertained, Wednesday night, by C.B. Johnson. Carlos D. Stillson was the essayist, giving an exhaustive and highly entertaining paper on “The History and Construction of the Panama Canal.” By vote of the club Mr Stillson has been invited to give it for the benefit of the public at some place and day decided upon by the entertainment committee.

* * *

Town Clerk Houlihan hands us the September bulletin of the State Board of Health. On the question of diphtheria, Dr Joseph H. Townsend, secretary of the State Board of Health, makes these timely remarks: In the reports of infectious diseases from the various towns which appear in this bulletin, the presence of diphtheria in certain localities is very noticeable and it would appear that the disease is going to be much more prevalent this winter than for some years past.

* * *

“Margie,” the clever driving horse owned by Miss S.J. Scudder, broke away from a post near her residence, where the horse was tied, Tuesday, ran around the house, across the street and up the sidewalk in front to Mrs Aaron Sanford’s place, where the horse was stopped by Horace Gilbert. The horse had broken one of the forelegs in the ankle in the rapid trip. It was found necessary to kill the horse.

* * *

Edward Taylor bagged a handsome gray fox, Monday. Billie Stevens slyly intimates that the fox fell off a precipice and crawled into a hole and later was dug out by two small boys.