When teacher contract negotiations began in Newtown 14 months ago, there were over 100 contractual items which had to be hashed over, and most of these were settled fairly early on with both sides making concessions and reaching mutual agreement. Such is the way with contract bargaining. However, as talks went on there were several items which were being demanded by both sides; ones which were not so easily agreed upon. Throughout the talks neither side would reveal what was being discussed at the table, nor specify where the hangups were. Only vague genealities were revealed, with the Board of Education negotiators and those for the NFT saying that talks were impassed over salaries, school calendar, grievance procedures, a no strike clause, consultations, class size and duration of contract, not necessarily in that order.

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The invitations to bid for the Boggs Hill Elementary School project have been advertised and sealed bids in duplicate will be received at the office of the Superintendent of Schools until 8 pm on Tuesday, June 3. According to the notice, the bid invitation is for work to include general construction, mechanical and electrical work, and furnishing of equipment.

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Members of Newtown Junior Woman’s Club recently competed in a district arts and crafts show and sewing competition, when Federation of Women in Connecticut had their annual District Day in Bridgeport. Mrs Arlene Cummings placed third in the style show category of separates and casuals. Mrs Karen Main placed first in the informal evening division and will compete in the state style show. First place winners in the arts and crafts division were Mrs Jean Karvosky with an original pen and ink design; Mrs Sandra Stockwell for ceramics; Mrs Joyce Young with a braided rug; Mrs Bonnie Neidermeyer for a knitted child’s vest; and Mrs Jane Symes for crocheting.

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Representative John Anderson (D-106) has announced the capital grant application of the Newtown Fund Inc for $12,650 to buy a mini-bus for senior citizens has been forwarded by the Connecticut Department of Transportation with 13 other applications to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration in Washington, D.C.

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Two recent automobile collisions are being charged to the insurance carrier of the Town of Newtown because stop signs at dangerous intersections had disappeared, probably as a result of vandalism and theft.

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The Newtown Junior Woman’s Club awarded banana splits to a number of participants in last week’s Hike-Bike. The ice cream treats were given out to the winners of several categories.

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The view from Edmond Town Hall will be represented Saturday in Waterbury when a Congressional Subcommittee on Manpower, Compensation, Health and Safety holds a hearing on the subject of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

MAY 5, 1950

Some 200 voters and taxpayers attended the special town meeting held last Thursday evening in the gymnasium of Edmond Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to start procedures toward the erection of a new high school in Newtown. In selecting a chairman, the names of George M. Stuart and Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh were offered and as a result of a standing vote, Judge Cavanaugh was chosen as chairman.

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At the annual borough election held in Edmond Town Hall on Tuesday of this week, Henry L. McCarthy was again re-elected warden of the Borough of Newtown, as was the entire non-partisan slate.

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Mrs Evelyn Murnan of Dodgingtown District reports that a flock of evening grosbeaks still stays near her home, even though it is unusual for them to remain in this area later than the middle of April.

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The entertainment committee at Newtown Country Club is opening the social activities for the current season with a dance, which will be held at the club house on Saturday night, May 6, from 9 to 1 o’clock.

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Last Saturday afternoon in the Norwalk High School auditorium there took place an event which attracts the young, and many older persons, too, from all parts of Fairfield County. This was the last free youth concert of the season, an institution well known with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, whose conductor, Quinto Maganini, has done much to further musical knowledge and appreciation throughout the East. Winning third place was the youngest composer of the three, 12-year-old Christiana Mayer — Chrissy, as she is better known — daughter of Mr and Mrs Jan C. Mayer of the Dodgingtown District, Newtown.

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The Pomperaug Valley Baseball League will open its 1950 season on Sunday afternoon, May 7, when the Newtown Bees will play Oxford at Taylor Field.

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The Sandy Hook Fire Department entertained members of the Jolly Boys minstrel cast and their families at a dinner in the firehouse last Thursday night. This was staged in recognition of their recent successful benefit for the Sandy Hook Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps.

 

MAY 1, 1925

The Newtown Post Office, beginning Monday, April 27, will be open from 7 am to 5 pm to conform with change in trains.

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Thomas M. Holian, who for 16 years has been the competent depot agent at the Newtown station, has tendered his resignation from the service of the road. Mr Holian has been in the railroad service for 30 years, beginning his duties at Sheffield, Mass.

MAY 4, 1900

A plow factory and saw mill belonging to Botsford Brothers, near the Monroe station, was completely destroyed by fire with all its contents, last week on Thursday afternoon. The club house, the water tank and two other small buildings belonging to the copper works were also destroyed. The fire originated in the plow factory, it is thought from the sparks that flew from the chimney. The fire was not discovered by Messrs. Botsford until the roof was all aflame and it was too late to save the building. There was a high wind at the time and the sparks flew in all directions. The woods caught fire and over 100 acres of land was burned over, including some woods and pasture land. It was with difficulty that some of the homes of the farmers of that locality were saved.