* * *

With less debate than has been heard in years, the Legislative Council Wednesday night unanimously approved the proposed Board of Education budget of $11,976,573 for the 1983-84 fiscal year that will start July 1. While the recommended figure is $50,000 less than the school board requested, the council also endorsed the spending of $50,000 in surplus fuel funds from the current budget for expenses for next year’s budget.

* * *

Raw sewage that Newtown enforcement officials say is flowing out of the septic system of the Blue Colony Diner on Church Hill Road and entering nearby Tom Brook has brought abatement orders from both Wetlands Enforcement Officer James Benson and Health Officer Dr Thomas Draper this week. Health Officer Draper warned, “Failure to pump and repair the subsurface sewage disposal system, and to maintain sewage below the ground surface will result in the revocation of your food license.” Mr Benson said this cease and desist order was added to one he issued in August 1981, again because effluent from the restaurant was polluting Tom Brook. “I was not convinced that the problem was permanently corrected,” said Mr Benson.

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Area residents will have the opportunity to sample culinary delicacies from around the world at the eight annual International Food Fair to be held April 9 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Newtown Middle School on Queen Street. Food from several foreign countries including China, France, India, Greece, Mexico, and Japan among others will be featured along with such special items as bread, ice cream sundaes, salads, natural foods, and low-calorie delicacies.

* * *

Rep Alice V. Meyer, R-Easton, Weston, and Newtown, says the results of her recent constituent survey strongly support her own belief that spending reform and not new taxes, is what is needed to bail the state out of its present fiscal crisis. “The message has come across that people do not want any new taxes and are willing to forego any new expenditures,” said Rep Meyer.

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The first of three steps toward bringing the Cyrenius H. Booth Library into compliance with the new state Fire Safety Code took place Wednesday night when the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a $304,000 special appropriation. The library, the town hall, and five of the six school buildings were cited by state and local fire marshals under the new fire code which came into effect in September.

* * *

Twelve young women from Newtown are competing for the Miss Newtown title this year. The one selected will go on to represent the town in the statewide competition. Contestants will compete in swimsuit, evening gown, and talent segments. Awards to be presented include scholarships for Miss Newtown and runners up.

 

April 11, 1958

The apparent low base bid of P. Francini Company of Derby, Conn., in the amount of $1,167,694, has resulted in a revised tentative budget of $1,457,000 for the complete building program for the new Junior High School. Of this amount, $72,000 has already been appropriated, leaving a new required budget of $1,385,000. The new tentative budget will cover the complete construction of the school including the auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria, library, 28 classrooms in the new building, and 8 classrooms gained through alterations in the present building.

* * *

Dog warden John Sedor warns townspeople he has had too many complaints of roaming dogs — getting into livestock and digging in gardens. He reminds that the law requires a dog to be kept on the owner’s property. Otherwise he will have to pick up the dog and the owner will be required to pay an impounding fee before the dog is returned.

* * *

Newtown will be a small United Nations this weekend with seven countries, India, Japan, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and South America, being represented by a group of foreign students of Yale University who will be the guests of the Newtown Rotary Club at its fourth annual international students’ visit.

* * *

Newtown’s Cub Scouts are combining their monthly theme, “Keep America Beautiful” with the problems at Edmond Town Hall to come up with a program to stimulate and hold respect for the building and grounds. A poster contest between the dens will be rewarded by having the winning den members attend the May 3 showing of “Cowboy” as guests of the Town Hall Board of Managers.

* * *

Colonial charm, the conveniences of modern planning and planning efficiency are combined in a model home which opens to the public this Saturday and Sunday afternoons, April 12 and 13, on Great Ring Road in the Gray’s Plain District of Newtown. This is the first home to be built at Great Ring Acres, a development which is planned to meet the needs and pace of modern country living.

* * *

The Newtown Congregational Church House was filled to capacity on Wednesday evening with members of the congregation and friends who came to say goodbye and wish Godspeed to the Rev and Mrs Stuart C. Haskins. This Friday the Haskins are moving to North Haven where Mr Haskins will take up his duties as minister of the North Haven Congregational Church. On behalf of members and friends of the church, the Rev and Mrs Haskins were presented with an honorarium and a pewter tea and coffee service.

 

April 7, 1933

A former Newtown boy, Patrick Sweeney, now a patient at the United States Naval hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y., has just been awarded from the War Department the Order of the Medal of the Purple Heart for Military merit in the World War. Mr Sweeney enlisted in January, 1918, in the 58th Infantry of the Fourth Division, Regular army. He served in France for 14 months as a sniper. Mr Sweeney received his award for bravery during the terrible fight at the Vesle River, where he was buried in a trench from the explosion of a shell on August 6, 1918, while on a sniping detail.

* * *

A jolly time was had last Tuesday evening, when the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts combined their forces and had an evening of competitive Scout games. The Hat Trimming for the boys and Nail Driving for girls caused great amusement.

* * *

The first of the season players enjoyed the week end at the Eden Hill Golf Course on Saturday and Sunday. The course is in fine condition for so early in the season and a large number is again expected to play over this week end.

* * *

On Friday night, March 31st, a dance was given in the school auditorium. Despite the inclement weather a large number of students attended, as well as some parents. The use of the Victrola rather than an orchestra failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the group. An enthusiastic musician kept the Victrola going from eight until eleven when the group departed, weary but happy, for their respective homes.

* * *

Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” Was Rendered Last Sunday Evening: Popular interest in religious music was abundantly demonstrated on Sunday evening, last, when Trinity church was practically filled by a devout and interested congregation. Donald C. Griscom, organist and choirmaster of Trinity church, had spent may hours with his enthusiastic choristers in preparing for this unusual musical event.

* * *

George Pickett, a widely known trainer of horses and a former well-known Steeplechase rider, has taken over the management of the Green Farm in Taunton District. Mr Pickett has opened stables there for the purpose of teaching riding and polo. He will also show horses for jumping and gait.

April 10, 1908

The boys have been recommending to the popular and genial selectman of Middle district the purchase of strengthening plasters, for the memory in this instance. Mr Peck went up street to attend the Brew trial, driving one of his horses and hitching it under the church shed. He remained through the trial and went down to Mr Morris’ store, where he met Neighbor Prindle. The latter invited Mr Peck to ride home with him, which he did. When he arrived in his own yard, Mr Peck’s hired man asked him where the milk cans were, and then it flashed upon him that his horse was up street. Mr Prindle carried him back up street, where he found the horse safe and sound.

* * *

What a good sluice will do for a road is shown on Queen street. Last fall selectman Peck put in a large sluice across the road near the watering trough opposite the Otis place. As a result the water along Queen street had a chance to work off, and Queen street, usually impassable in the spring time, has been in fair condition.

* * *

As five young men were riding out on a pleasure trip, last Wednesday night, they very nearly had an April fool to remember. As they were coming from Botsford, they met another team with two young ladies and their mother. The team that the young men were in ran over the other team. Their wagon was turned completely over, throwing the men out. They escaped without a scratch. The horse ran about one half a mile, when another team came along and turned the horse off the road, into the wire fence. The horse escaped with two cuts. The team that the ladies were in escaped without a scratch.

* * *

M.F. Keane and Paul Morrow, the trappers of Botsford, have been very successful, this last winter, catching about 25 minks, 75 skunks, and 100 rats. They have shipped their furs to New York parties.

* * *

Hon W.T. Cole, general manager of the Fabric Fire Hose Co., who is building a beautiful residence on the hill overlooking Newtown Street, has bought the 10 acres of land on the south end of Taunton lake, and will greatly improve the property. This land was formerly owned by Reuben H. Smith and then passed into the hands of Elmer W. Fairchild, who sold it to Frank W. Beers. Mr Beers sold it to Wheeler Beers’ estate, who now have disposed of it to Mr Cole. The Bee understands that Mr Cole will clear up the grounds which have been sadly neglected for nearly 20 years.