January 11, 1991

Resigned to a package they hoped would be more meaty, selectmen Tuesday accepted an agreement on concessions offered by the State in return for the building of a jail here. The selectmen criticized the state for awarding concessions that predated this settlement or would be required anyway — such as land for elderly housing or funds for a town firehouse that will serve the state-owned Fairfield Hills Hospital and the $52 million jail. Newtown’s settlement includes less than $1 million in funds, most of which were expected regardless of the settlement.

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January 21 is the date when the Edmond Town Hall switchboard will have a fully operational dial-911 system for fire and ambulance emergencies, according to Billy McCarthy, who has been overseeing the 911 project for the Board of Fire Commissioners. For more than a year, all dial-911 calls have been received at the town’s main 911 center at the police station in Town Hall South. Police dispatchers have been forwarding fire and ambulance calls to the dispatchers in Edmond Town Hall. But now the Edmond Town Hall dispatchers also will receive visual displays on computer terminals, and printouts of this information.

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Fees for pool passes and summer day camp were raised by the Parks and Recreation Commission at its meeting Tuesday evening. A season pool pass for a family will cost $40, an increase of $5. The daily users’ fee of $2 remains the same. The commission voted to raise camp fees by $10 for each session. A two-week session will cost $81, a four-week session, $146, and the six-week session $206.

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Although the Newtown Police Department (NPD) recently received three new police cruisers, the town maybe walking into a minefield of liabilities if it does not update the department’s fleet soon. According to NPD Police Chief Michael DeJoseph, he is asking for six new cars for the 1991-92 budget because the department was only granted three out of the five it asked for in the 1990-91 budget. Presently used cars have accrued more mileage and maintenance expenses have gone up. Once over 50,000 miles the vehicles require three times the amount of maintenance. According to the Chief, he worries about his officers driving around in cars with 80,000 miles on them.

January 14, 1966

Newly appointed Town Clerk, Mrs A. Fenn Dickinson took up her duties immediately after swearing in ceremonies at 11 am, Wednesday. As many townspeople know, Mrs Dickinson is the wife of the late A. Fenn Dickinson, former First Selectman. She is on the board of Fairfield Hills Hospital, a member of the Parks Commission, and has long been active in town affairs.

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The Newtown High School girls’ basketball team won its first two games of the young season, both played on the road. Last week the Newtown lassies defeated Danbury High School by two points. On Tuesday the girls traveled to Bethel. Newtown won the game by a score of 25-20.

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Thomas Joseph Ligouri, Jr, arrived at 1:37 pm, on New Year’s Day, at St Vincent’s Hospital, Bridgeport. The young man thus becomes Newtown’s first baby of the year. His father operates Ligouri’s Texaco Station in Stepney. Many gifts of merchandise and services have been donated by the town’s businesses to welcome the first new citizen of 1966.

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Residents of Middle Gate District were very strong in their opposition to any change of zone at the familiar “Cross Roads” area at the junction of Blue Spruce Road and Route 25, when they attended a public hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The first petition was presented by Harry Gould for the purpose of changing the zoning classification from one-acre residential to B-2 business use. No one spoke in favor of the petition. Edward Herst of Blue Spruce Drive was the first speaker in opposition. He felt safety was the major factor for the board to consider and, with the unusual weather conditions of this winter, felt certain the traffic count submitted was not a true picture. He said 19 children reside in the homes on Blue Spruce Drive alone. Paul Bedat asked the board to define the B-2 area. Carl Beck of Pine Tree Hill Road reminded the board of the articles in the zoning regulations referring to the “protection and benefits to the people in the area.”

 

January 10, 1941

One of the most unusual of mail deliveries reached Mr and Mrs Ben D. Smith of Dodgingtown, Monday, when a letter arrived from Mr and Mrs Clarence Yerkes, who were married in Newtown, on December 28, and mailed at sea while on their honeymoon. The letter, written on January 2, was dropped overboard in a bottle attached to a small parachute. It was picked up by Mrs L.A. Dibble of Naugatuck, while fishing for sail fish off Boca Raton, Fla. Mrs Dibble forwarded the letter to Newtown. Thus the letter was found by a Connecticut woman and sent on its way to Connecticut. A small world after all!

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The Newtown Committee for Child Refugees went to work again in the comfortable quarters of the Congregational church on Wednesday, January 8. A letter from an English friend makes the need for clothing seem even more urgent than ever before: “Nearly every night, boat loads of French children from the Brittany coast, barely clad, some wrapped only in blankets, are smuggled through the fog in open fishing smacks, to seek refuge from their conquerors.” It is with renewed courage and enthusiasm that the committee resumes its weekly sewing meetings.

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The Newtown Athletic Club regrets to announce that due to unforeseen trouble with water leakage, there has not yet been suitable ice for skating at the rink on the Country Club grounds. With a good layer of ice frozen since Saturday, a number of small leaks developed, making the ice very uneven, so that it was necessary to drain the rink. When suitable skating is available, signs to that effect will be found in the Newtown Post Office and H.G. Warner’s Store, Sandy Hook.

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During the year 1940, the record of vital statistics show that 79 deaths occurred in Newtown, 39 of which took place at Fairfield State Hospital. There were 36 births and 61 marriages. The birth rate has not changed since 1937, when it was 41. The marriage rate has been increasing yearly.

 

January 14, 1916

The carelessness of throwing down a lighted match was demonstrated last Sunday, when a field, belonging to Edgar Northrop, was partially burned over. Had it not been for some snow in the field, it would have spread into some brush land, making quite a conflagration. Fortunately, it was discovered and put out before doing any damage.

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It will be good news to our townspeople that Dr W.J. McLoughlin, a new and valued resident among us, has decided to open a dental office at his residence on Main street. Dr McLoughlin has a large and increasing business in Bridgeport, having his brother associated with him there. He has built on an office on the north side of his residence, equipping a find operating room, with waiting room adjoining. He will have one day a week in Newtown, Monday, and later will arrange for two days a week. All who have met Dr McLoughlin are charmed with him socially and his friends here will be grateful to learn of his decision to establish an office here.

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The 1916 Studebaker has some strong points. The new 50-horsepower Six is the most remarkable value ever placed on the market. It has a 50-horsepower motor, six-cylinder east en bloc, of high speed long stroke type, stroke five inches, bore 37/8 inches, has 122 inch wheelbase, giving room for seven passengers to ride in comfort. Divided driver’s seat and folding seats in the tonneau that completely disappear in the recesses in the floor when not in use. A.G. Muzzy of Newtown is the local representative.

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Frank Keniry, while sliding on Sunday afternoon, with a party of nine on a “double ripper,” ran into the stone wall near Dr Kiernan’s residence, dislocating his shoulder. Dr Kiernan attended to his injuries and he is now getting along nicely.