* * *

The form of Newtown’s government can change, or not, as a result of a special referendum vote which will take place Tuesday, April 6. But the work of a nine-member Charter Revision Commission which sat for over a year until April 19, 1981, can all go down the drain unless enough Newtown voters actually cast ballots that day.

* * *

The Newtown Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, March 16, pledged its support to the League of Women Voters who want to see the town have some form of alternative housing, based on recent surveys. Susan Polgar of the League explained that the first steps could be taken by allowing “accessory apartments” in town. Accessory apartments are rooms within a single-family home.

* * *

Newtown High School received its share of warnings, Monday, March 15, as it received two calls from someone who said there was a bomb in the school. Police investigations determined the calls were unfounded and classes continued as usual. The Middle School also received two bomb threats Monday. Fortunately, no bombs were found.

* * *

The Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to help them name the enormous white rooster it recently obtained from the defunct Danbury Fair. “The Parks and Rec staff has given this poor bird a home, but has not been able to come up with an appropriate name,” said director Bob Ceccolini.

* * *

John R. Reed, new superintendent of the Newtown school system, started his new job Monday, March 15. Dr Reed said he’s looking forward to working for the school system and will work closely with the Board of Education. Dr Reed has served as a teacher, administrator, and building principal in Pennsylvania, as well as serving as superintendent in a small school district in New Jersey.

* * *

Newtown Town Attorney Raymond Doyle has ruled that the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen’s budgets cannot be voted upon separately, in the event a referendum is called to challenge the budget that will be adopted by the annual budget meeting on April 27. Mr Doyle’s opinion was delivered to the Legislative Council Wednesday night, and upheld rulings of two former town attorneys.

 

March 22, 1957

Newtown electors approved the 29.5 mill tax rate recommended by the Board of Finance and the transfer of $20,000 from the town’s surplus to the School Building Fund with only a little discussion at the Thursday evening’s adjourned annual town meeting. The nearly 125 attending the session in the gymnasium of the Edmond Town Hall continued in the same agreeable mood right into the special town meeting that followed, voting approval of a move to secure the services of a resident state policeman.

* * *

Friday evening the Newtown Mothers Club presented Mrs John Morton of the Unicorn Shop, Stepney, as the commentator for the fashion show which featured clothes for casual living: flannel shirts, gay print full skirts, matching shorts and blouse sets. Also featured were clothes for “Sunday go-to-meeting” — ever popular navy, frosted with white seen as coat dresses, charming two piece suits and ensembles; and clothes for “time out” which were lovely in chiffons, silks, and cotton prints.

* * *

Nino DeNicola, proprietor of the Newtown Inn, is quite accustomed to greeting guests who arrive by automobile, but last Saturday afternoon he enjoyed the novelty of greeting two diners who dropped in by helicopter. The helicopter made a graceful descent into the Inn’s parking lot and from it emerged Francis D’Addario of the D’Addario Sand and Gravel Company, Bridgeport, and his pilot, who had decided to have lunch.

* * *

A very businesslike atmosphere prevails in the halls of Newton high school as students go about garnering signatures on their nomination petitions for Student Town Government Day. Up to the present time formal applications for 6 town offices have been completed and filed with James F. Hinkley, principal. Campaigning will come to an end this Friday afternoon.

* * *

Only one week remains for car owners to get their new auto registrations. The new, blue and white, tags must be displayed on and after April 1. Old registration markers have been placed at the disposal of the licensees by a special act of the current session of the General Assembly. VFW Charles Howard Peck Sr and Jr Post is collecting the discarded plates to take advantage of the scrap metal value.

* * *

Robert Jackson, 40, of Bear Hill Road, was reported this Thursday as in “poor” condition at Bridgeport Hospital. Mr Jackson was injured in Trumbull Monday when a cement block wall fell on him. He was operating a bulldozer near a house under construction and stepped off his machine to examine the area when the wall, which was retaining a section of terrace, fell on him.

 

March 18, 1932

The Men’s Club had a very fine meeting at the Parker house, Tuesday night, with Wallace N. Mitchell as host and Allison P. Smith in charge of the literary program. The guests of the evening were Rev Harry A. Hersey, pastor of the Universalist church of Danbury. Mr Smith introduced as speaker, Rev Mr Hersey, who gave a very able and splendid address on “New Minds for New Times.”

* * *

George Brisco, son of Ephraim D. Brisco of Botsford Hill, who has been seriously ill at the Bridgeport hospital for several weeks, is reported as more comfortable at this writing and he was taken off the danger list on Tuesday. Mr Brisco was cut on the hand by a rooster some weeks ago and from this injury an infection set in which later threatened to develop into lockjaw. Anti-toxin tetanus was administered and he has had the care of a day and night nurse.

* * *

A Communication From Selectman T.F. Brew: I wish to make a statement in regard to a communication which appeared in last week’s Bee from the chairman of the Board of Finance. In making up the budget for the town last fall, I asked for an increase over the previous year, because of certain needs. The increase of $1,000 on roads was requested because the new Dirt Road law compels the town to provide rights of way to straighten the roads when necessary. The additional $1,000 on bridges and sluices was requested in view of the fact that planking bridges have proved very costly.

* * *

A White Elephant Sale To Be Held In Trinity Guild Room Some Time In April: It is a long time since such a sale has been held in Newtown, and it is hoped that everyone interested will have large hordes to bring to the Guild room of Trinity church. Contributions of china, bric-a-brac, kitchen utensils, clothing, hats, shoes and odds and ends of all kinds may be left at the Guild room or at Miss Taylor’s next door.

* * *

Newtown, one of the centers of Revolutionary activities during that period is taking part in the proceedings commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Her contribution will be the musical playlet, “When Betsy Ross Made Old Glory,” which will be presented at the town hall, Friday, March 18.

* * *

WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL PROGRAMME: Overture of patriotic airs; Washington, a recital; Old English Rhythmic songs; Washington and truth about the cherry tree/ Willow Bleking dance of Greeting; recitation and drill, “Our Flag”; The Cherry tree and Washington; The Colonial Maid Dance; Toy Orchestra; Yankee Doodle Dance; Entrance of colonial Dames of Newtown; Remarks by Mrs George Beers.

 

March 22, 1907

John Whalen, car inspector at Hawleyville, had a piece of steel fly off from a cold chisel, entering his leg to the depth of three inches. Dr Kiernan was called to attend him. John Thompson of Brushy Hill is seriously ill with congestion of the liver, under the care of Dr Kiernan. Frank Banks, who has been seriously ill with congestion of the lungs, is able to sit up. Charles G. Meeker is quite seriously ill with tonsillitis, under Dr Kiernan’s care.

* * *

Despite the almost impassable condition of the roads, a good sized audience was present at St Rose’s church, Sunday evening, to listen to the address of Rev John H. Sheehan of New Haven on “St Patrick.” Father Sheehan spoke without notes and held the close attention of his audience by his eloquence. He said in part: the Catholic church moves on undaunted, impregnable.

* * *

Several citizens are suggesting that something should be done, this year, toward the improvement of Queen street, a road used largely by people coming to the railroad depot from the southern part of the town. The Bee would like to see this done and a state road built from the Newtown Inn, south to William H. Prindle’s.

* * *

The curtain factory at Hawleyville was obliged to shut down for a day, last week, owing to water from the mud hole between the factory and the lumber yard getting into the gasoline reservoir and freezing solid in the pipes. The output of the factory on Wednesday of last week was 2,000 pair.

* * *

 

INCREASED QUANTITY OF MILK CONTRACTED FOR. Contract day proved a success at the Borden’s Condensed Milk Co.’s Newtown plant. William H. Stevens, the popular superintendent, reports an increased number of patrons, including several new ones from Bridgewater and South Britain.