February 9, 1990

On January 26, town officials signed the contracts that will launch a new regional paramedic intercept program that will operate out of the Danbury Hospital and serve the towns of Newtown, Bethel, and Redding. The program comes as the result of the hard work and persistent persuasion of local ambulance workers. The added cost for Newtown will be just under $100,000. That cost will decrease if other towns choose to join. The benefits of the program are incalculable.

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The question of whether the town should appropriate $750,000 for the construction of a swimming pool at Treadwell Park should be decided by voters at a town meeting. That’s the position that the Board of Selectmen took on this issue on February 5. The Legislative Council also would have to give its approval to this idea. First Selectman Zita McMahon said the idea of building the swimming pool has been discussed for years by people in Newtown. Mrs McMahon said that given the present economic situation, some people might not want to proceed with this project.

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The Women’s Auxiliary of the United Fire Company of Botsford recently hosted a belated 40th anniversary dinner for all firemen and Women’s Auxiliary members. Charter Auxiliary member Lilly Goosman gave a brief history of how Botsford Firehouse and Auxiliary came to be in 1949.

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John Warner, president of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library Board of Trustees, and Librarian Janet Woycik are soliciting public support for a $482,000 library budget for the coming fiscal year. Trustees would like to see two-thirds of that budget coming from taxpayers’ coffers. Support through tax dollars over the past five years has been readily available, though last year’s request was unexpectedly cut from $267,000 to $200,000. Only $85,666 in dividends and interest from the philanthropist’s [Mary Hawley’s] original trust fund are actually available for use in 1990-91. Another 16 percent comes from donors or the library’s annual fund drive.

February 12, 1965

The Newtown Parks and Recreation Commission has announced plans for the construction of a pavilion at the A. Fenn Dickinson Memorial Park. December 27, 1964 marked the tenth anniversary of the town park, Newtown’s first recreation area, which was made possible by the generous gift of $50,000 from Mr and Mrs Bartram A. Stroock. With an attendance last year of more than 10,000 and on peak weekends of more than 1,000 the park has felt the need of a shelter and an open air, roofed pavilion has been judged the best solution.

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The Board of Education, with a close eye on transportation costs, turned down Monday evening the request of residents and taxpayers in Blue Ridge Estates Association Inc that a school bus pick up children on Bayberry Drive and Pastor’s Walk in the Blue Ridge Estates section of Newtown. The board unanimously accepted the recommendation of Dr Willard A Downs, superintendent of schools who said he felt strongly that school buses should not to into and out of developments. Were this to be done on general scale, transportation costs would rise considerably, he said. The parents’ petition said that the nearest bus stop presently is Bear Hills Road, where only two of the 18 children that board the bus there live.

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Mr D’s Club on the Danbury/Newtown Road was badly gutted by fire early this Thursday morning. The roof was still there, but was charred inside to the shingles. Newtown Fire Marshal Millard Goodsell said it was still too hot to determine the origin. Hawleyville Fire Department was out in force following the alarm about 2:10 am. Newtown Hook & Ladder, Stony Hill Fire Company, and the United Fire Company of Botsford tanker also participated in the firefighting. Bill Craig is the owner of the property, once the Hillandale, and more recently as a short-lived teenage club. There was insurance but “not enough.”

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Tickets are selling “like hot cakes” for the second annual Pancake Day event sponsored by Rotary. The event will take place Saturday, February 20, from noon to 9 pm, in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall. Accompanying the feather light Aunt Jemima’s pancakes are crisply fried country sausage patties, coffee and milk .Tickets for the delectable feast are available at $1 per person or $3 a family.

February 9, 1940

Mr and Mrs Ralph H. Holcomb of Main street, Newtown, have sold under contract their Colonial home with acreage to Mr and Mrs L.J. Grimes of Brooklyn, N.Y. Following the passing of deeds, which is to take place shortly, extensive alterations are to be started immediately on the house and it is hoped that it will be ready for occupancy June 1. Alterations are to include removal of the third story and the construction of a two-car garage.

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Fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed a five-room bungalow located in the Pine Grove section of Sandy Hook, early Monday afternoon. The property was occupied by Mr and Mrs George Ingram and family. When the Newtown pumper arrived at the scene, there was no water available, except a small amount in a spring. The fire spread rapidly and within an hour the entire building was destroyed.

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The Owls, led by their stalwart captain, Bill Kayfus, are setting a fast pace in the Bowling League, having won eleven out of their last fifteen games. However, the Owls are not the only pin-busters gaining a reputation for their work, as “Andy” Wheeler of the Robins rolled for a new high single of 162 pins, bettering the previous high single mark of 152 held by this same stellar bowler.

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Increasing in popularity throughout this section of Connecticut are auto races held on Highland Lake in Winsted. On last Sunday, Albert S. Boyson entered his ’35 Chevrolet roadster, along with some forty other contestants, and was able to finish in sixth position over a mile and a half course. Although there were no serious mishaps, several contestants were minus a fender or two before they reached the finish line.

 

February 12, 1915

The case of State vs Jacob Block, charged with breach of peace, assault, and use of abusive language and of State vs Herman Block, charged with operating a motor vehicle without a tail light, were tried on Wednesday. Constable Charles F. Conger was the first to take the witness stand. On the day in question… he started down on an errand to W.W. Peck’s when he saw an auto go by without any rear light. “I called, ‘Whoa, there! The tail light of your auto is out.’ The driver slowed up and backed down… When Jacob Block was told who was stopping him he used unprintable language. Herman Block said, “If the lamp is out we’ll light it.” He proceeded to light it and it failed. I told him he was under arrest. Jacob Block struck me across the arm with a lantern… He put his hand on his pocket and said he would blow my brains out… Jacob Block sent one of the boys home to get a lantern. They attached it to the rear and started up the road.” Jacob Block testified that he started for Botsford Hill on the night in question. “I heard someone holler ‘Halt! Your rear light is out!’ Conger pulled out a revolver and hit me on the thumb with it… I had nine $50 bills with me… It looked to me as if Conger was trying to get money… Mr Conger was intoxicated. I did not call him an unprintable name.” Isadore Block was the next witness. “Mr Conger busted the lantern globe. I could smell Mr Conger’s breath. Mr Conger swore badly.” Mr Cleary did not think Mr Conger was intoxicated. William Keyas testified that Conger was not intoxicated that evening. Austin Conger testified his father was not intoxicated that evening. (After hearing the testimony, Justice Mara found Conger guilty and fined him $35 and the costs, which amounted to $22.32.)

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The ladies of the local Union will observe Frances Willard day at the home of the president, Mrs Moore, Friday afternoon, at 2:30. Later in the afternoon, they will entertain the children of the Taunton school. A short program will be followed by a social hour, when refreshments will be served.

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Hawley School: It is reported that the school board had a chance to procure a flag pole for the High school, but didn’t take advantage of it. Wouldn’t a flag pole and flag add to the appearance of the school house and grounds? Where is our flag? Nearly all the smaller schools are provide with flags, then why should not the High school have one, too?

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The Sandy Hook band met for reorganization, Monday evening. The report read showed the band to be in excellent financial condition and ready to proceed with work of instruction and rehearsing. The band now numbers 16 members, who have been working under the instruction of Mr Warner for the past three months, and it is expected that the public will be surprised later by the good work accomplished and the improvement made in execution.