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State Department of Transportation officials this week announced that they will begin an environmental impact study on the alternatives proposed for upgrading Route 25. The study, which could cost over $500,000, will begin in nine months, once the DOT selects a consultant. DOT said it is leaning toward a four-lane expressway from Route 111 in Trumbull to I-84 in Newtown.

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The Southern New England Telephone Company (SNETCO) recently installed a pay telephone in the state-owned commuter parking lot off I-84’s Exit 11. Foreign Car Service of Newtown got rid of its outdoor pay phone due to litter and vandalism. Rose Sethi asked SNETCO to install the phone. Mrs Sethi said that she and other mothers use this area as a drop-off point for a car pool and relied on having a pay phone in the area. She said that everyone was “flabbergasted” at the color of the phone booth, which is red. “You think that you’re in England now,” she said.

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A 24-year-old West Haven woman was charged with two counts of third-degree assault on March 30 after she allegedly stabbed, but did not seriously injure, a 28-year-old Middletown woman at Edmond Town Hall. Details of the argument that sparked the alleged assaults were not released.

 

April 8, 1960

Newtown High presents its 1960 Gym Show this Thursday afternoon before the elementary school children and then repeats it Friday evening before the adult audience. This year’s show brings 17 acts before the onlookers, starting with the grand parade, in which all performers march in and take places to see their friends perform.

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Newtown’s only Amoco Station, known as Dunleavy’s Newtown Amoco Service, located on Church Hill Road, will hold its grand opening this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 8, 9, and 10. Harold Dunleavy, proprietor of the station, who also owns the Dodgingtown Garage, will offer prizes and souvenirs during this three-day period.

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The Newtown Baseball Club will hold its first practice of the season on Sunday at 2 pm, at Hawley School and all young men 16 years and older are eligible to play with the town team. The team will be outfitted with brand new uniforms this year through the support of the many businessmen of Newtown, cooperating to sponsor the expense.

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Numbers come before names in the new Danbury telephone directory being distributed this week to area homes and businesses. The new layout places the telephone number right next to the name it goes with, instead of being separated by the street address. This makes it less likely that the eye will flick up or down to the wrong line.

April 5, 1935

George Northrop and men have finished the repairs of the house recently purchased by Mrs Emily Dikeman, Newtown Street, the Sophia Northrop place. Some new doors and windows have been cut and several changes made on the interior of the house, making the rooms much more convenient.

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The Tercentenary committee of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, appointed at the meeting of the Chamber last Thursday evening, met at the Edmond Town Hall on Wednesday evening and laid out a program of events for the celebration in Newtown of Connecticut’s Tercentenary. Newtown’s celebration will take form in several events, to be scheduled through the summer. The committee plans first a card party; the committee also plans a benefit moving picture performance.

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William B. Harris, popular manager of the Maryland Grill, opens his place for the sixth season on Saturday, April 13. Mr Harris has entirely renovated the place. This place has built up a wide reputation as featuring a half-fried chicken on toast. But for features, Mr Harris has something entirely new and unusual in the food line. His new special is to be offered at 50 cents.

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A head-on collision of two automobiles near the Newtown Country Club on Sunday afternoon resulted in injuries to four persons. The cars met head-on when Bozyna turned out of line of traffic and started to pass the cars ahead and met the Durwood car; Officer Preston M. Beers of Newtown arrested the drivers of both cars.

 

 

April 7, 1910

W.L. Mershon has begun operations at his book manufacturing establishment and already has one press set up and running on book work. Mr Mershon, Sr, has plans in view, which include the concreting of the outer shell of the building and enlarging the factory on the east and south sides, which will enable the presses and machinery to be located on one floor.

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Edgar F. Northrop of Hanover met with a bad accident, last Saturday, while carrying a load of lumber from a steam saw mill in Hanover woods to the North Newtown station. As he was driving over a bad place in the road he lost his balance and was thrown from his load to the ground, landing on his head. He received a bad scalp wound and was badly shaken up and stunned. W.L. Metcalf found Mr Northrop soon after the accident and took him to his home. It is thought his injuries are not serious but will confine him to his home for several days.

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H.M. Greenman, one of the hustling farmers of South Center district, is building a modern cow barn, 30x50 feet. H.H. Peck is in charge of the stone and cement work. There will be no hay or grain stored above the cow barn.

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The committee appointed to consider the advisability of the removal of the Liberty pole now standing in the middle of the highway, and if it be advised to remove it, to recommend a new location, met Friday evening, April 1. It was resolved: 1st, we recommend the removal of the pole. 2. That we recommend a suitable location in front of the Town hall. We recommend any expense connected with the removal of the pole be met by subscription.