January 5, 2001

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Marilyn Alexander.

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A towering fire engulfed a hay-filled horse barn at Foxview Farm at 25 Hundred Acres Road on the afternoon and night of Saturday, December 30. It burned the structure to ground, but fortunately the fire did not injure the barn’s eight horses, which were being kept in a nearby field. Dozens of firefighters from Dodgingtown, Newtown Hook and Ladder, Botsford, Sandy Hook, Hawleyville, Stony Hill, Bethel, and Redding Ridge responded to the 3:39 pm fire call, which alerted them that the large horse barn at the Holmes property was ablaze.

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In charting a direction for the police department for the next five years, Police Commission members are considering some proposed changes for the organization recommended by Lieutenant David Lydem, an officer who has served with the department for 33 years. Among other changes, Lt Lydem recommends a reorganization of the police department hierarchy to make the organization function better. In a report presented to the Police Commission Tuesday night, Lt Lydem addressed five areas: organizational structure; manpower; facilities; radio communications; and vehicles.

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The Newtown School Board held a special meeting Tuesday night to vote on the proposed plans for the 5/6 School that are scheduled to be delivered to the state for its review next week. The school board voted unanimously to submit the plans and specifications of the proposed 5/6 school for state approval. The plans will be brought to the state on January 9. The school board also voted unanimously to demolish Watertown Hall, the building that currently occupies the 21-acre site of the proposed school.

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Your motor vehicle property tax bill is correct. That’s what Town Assessor Denice Hames and Tax Collector Carol Mahoney are telling residents who are concerned about the reported Y2K computer glitch in the state Department of Motor Vehicles that led to a double billing of some 23,000 people across Connecticut for their motor vehicle taxes. … Some vehicle registration renewals entered into the DMV’s computer system between October 2, 1999 and the end of November 1999 were accidentally duplicated. Newtown’s tax officials said that the double billing problem for the 1999 motor vehicle supplemental listing has been adjusted and that any new supplemental tax bills that were received by local residents this month are not erroneous and should be paid by February 1.

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The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard of Newtown will head to Washington, DC, later this month to take part in the inauguration parade for President-elect George W. Bush. The horse guard will be one of three units representing Connecticut in the parade, which will make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. … A total of 11,000 marchers and 360 horses are expected to converge on downtown Washington for the event.

January 2, 1976

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — PICK YOUR OWN: This Sunday, at 2 pm in Edmond Town Hall, Jack Rosenthal will be sworn into office and will take up the duties of the First Selectman of the Town of Newtown. Other officials elected to office last November will also take part in the ceremonies as the Town takes off on a different foot, ruled by a Legislative Council and a Board of Selectmen. While the council will be a new venture for the community, so will be the political makeup of the Board of Selectmen. For this time around the First Selectman, a Democrat, will have two Republicans on his board, former First Selectman Frank Delucia and Thomas Goosman, the re-elected selectman. This lineup automatically removes the partisan vote the First Selectman has always had in his camp, for as a good general rule the head man has been able to count on support from the board member of the same party.

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Long-time Town Treasurer Herbert H. Cutler and Democratic Selectman Gerald J. Frawley were among those to enjoy a laugh at the champagne party which followed the brief Board of Finance meeting Monday night. Mr Cutler’s years of distinguished service to the town end January 5, when his office goes out of existence, and Mr Frawley’s 2½ year term on the Board of Selectmen also ends the same day.

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Twelve people, members of the Douglas Ruffles family of Hawleyville, lost their home in a fire on the day before Christmas. The blaze, which broke out in the second floor of the home, caused extensive damage to the house, especially in the rear and on one of the ends, and the family is now living in another home in Newtown. There were approximately 65 volunteer fire fighters at the scene immediately after the fire call came in at 2:22. Men and all equipment from the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company under the direction of assistant Chief Richard Dean and Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company under Chief Jack Tremblay responded as did the aerial ladder truck crew from Newtown Hook & Ladder Company No 1 under the direction of chief Kenneth Pelletier.

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The average man usually does it at 65, but then Herbert Cutler is not an average man, so he’s stepping down from a lifetime of work at 92, and when he does there will be quite a vacancy at Edmond Town Hall. Mr Cutler, now that a new form of government is taking over Newtown, will be retired from his long-time job as Town Treasurer with his duties being replaced by a town fiscal officer and a new 18-member Legislative Council.

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In connection with Newtown’s property revaluation affecting the October 1, 1975 Grand List, The Bee asked Assessor Vivian Mayer about the effect of land enjoying Public Act 490 tax relief has on the tax rolls of the town. “It’s a terrific drop we get,” she said. “It’s a big loss we’re taking and it’s forcing up the building lot prices.”

December 29, 1950

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — THE START OF A NEW YEAR: The start of a new year should properly be filled with optimism and plans for a promising future. It is a time for ringing down the curtain on the events of the twelve months just completed. An untrod pathway lies ahead, with its untried but inviting experiences. We press forward to meet them with vigor and enthusiasm.

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The first meeting of the reorganized Newtown Civil Defense Council took place with a three-hour discussion in which all members joined on Wednesday night in Edmond Town Hall, with Local Director Warner W. Bayley presiding. The purpose of the meeting was consideration of all problems facing the Civil Defense authorities in Newtown, with emphasis on the need for careful planning and immediate action.

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A large and appreciative audience filled Edmond Town Hall theater almost to capacity last Thursday night when the music department of Hawley School presented its third annual Christmas concert under the direction of William B. Jones, Jr., supervisor of music in Newtown and Southbury schools. The night of holiday music was furnished by the Hawley Chorus of 130 mixed voices, a score of voices in the Boys Junior Chorus, and by 30 musicians in the recently organized Hawley School Band.

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Judging is already in progress in the decorations contest sponsored by the Newtown Lions Club, and the committee in charge reports widespread interest throughout of town in decorating homes for the holidays. Efforts of homekeepers have been aided by a new fall of snow and outstanding displays have been noted in various parts of town. The committee has announced that all residents on main thoroughfares, including all numbered motor car routes, Glover Avenue to Church and Queen Streets, the Boulevard, and Currituck Road to the Brookfield line would be surveyed. They have also received notifications from residents on other roads asking for inclusion. They have come from as widely separated points as the Berkshire, Stevenson Dam and Taunton Districts.

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Pohtatuck Grange held its Christmas meeting for members and children in Grange hall, Sandy Hook, on Tuesday evening. Mrs Jennie Slocum, lecturer, presented a program of Christmas carols and poems during the lecturer’s hour. There was an exchange of gifts and refreshments were served.

January 1, 1926

All the old guard and several new faces were at the Christmas party held at the Newtown Country Club, last Monday evening. It was a wonderful time they had and will be a pleasant memory to think about these cold winter evenings, when there will be no cards at the country club house. There were 12 tables at bridge, and Mrs Osborne and Rodney P. Shepard were high in score and each received a prize.

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On Christmas Eve parents and friends of the pupils of Trinity gathered in the Guild rooms to witness the pageant of “The Light of God” presented by the pupils of the school. The young folks had been very carefully drilled by Mrs Tieman and Mrs Edwards and reverently presented the scenes of the Shepherds on the hills, the gathering in the courtyard of the Inn and the adoration of the Babe. The scenic effects of the shepherds’ fire, the glow on the morning sky and light from heaven were artistically effective.

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ST JOHN’S: The big event to which all the children and grown ups look forward came off on Thursday night. The church was well filled by the pupils and friends. The tree, a magnificent hemlock, was covered with glistening tinsel and glittering balls of light. After a brief service the pupils brought their gifts for the Danbury hospital and placed them in the manger in front of the tree. Having given their offerings the children were ready for the treat that followed, the fruit of the tree as the rector said, “Some of it was eatable and some not eatable.”

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Francis J. Troy has been passing a week in Ansonia.

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Davey Brothers’ store will be open, New Year’s day, from 8 to 11 a.m.

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The Hawleyville Fire Co., gave a Christmas tree party, Wednesday night, at their hall, presenting the children candy and fruit. Dancing followed and the evening was one of great enjoyment.

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Mr and Mrs D.C. Peck and Mrs Samuel A. Blackman left on Wednesday for St Petersburg, Fla., where they will spend the winter.

January 4, 1901

Enjoyable closing exercises were held at the Flat Swamp school, of which Miss Emma L. Ferry is teacher, last week Friday, December 21. A number of visitors were present who listened to the appropriate exercises for the occasion. There was a Christmas tree filled with gifts for the children. The scholars showed their regard for their teacher by presenting her with several gifts with which she was very much pleased.

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Mr and Mrs A.E. Bevans passed Christmas with his parents.

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Ernest V. Haight, a popular clerk at the store of R.H. Beers & Co., is ill with the measles.

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Mr and Mrs Clarence Baker of Fairfield, Miss Jennie Kelly of Bridgeport and Miss Beatrice Kelly of New York spent Christmas with Mrs Bernard Kelly.

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Mrs Bernard Kelly has just received a widow’s pension.

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Curtis Glover entertained quite a number of the boys at his home in the Street on Monday night and at 11.30 they attended the special midnight service in Trinity church.

Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by readers of The Newtown Bee. Images can be emailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.