Members of the Connecticut Gasoline Retailers Association are considering a statewide shutdown of member gasoline stations May 17 through 20 in protest of federal Department of Energy regulations. Similar groups in other states may also consider shutdowns. According to Atty Richard Farrell, who represents the Connecticut Gasoline Retailers Association, DOE regulations objected to by the state’s gasoline retailers are: limits on the profits of gasoline retailers regardless of increased business costs, “totally indecipherable regulations” and the threat of criminal prosecution for failing to comply with these regulations.

***

Newtown’s highly-respected tax collector, Republican Elizabeth H. Smith, confirmed to The Bee this week that she will not seek a fourth two-year term in the November 1979 local election.

***

Developer William H. Laws, claiming he could not get a fair hearing from a Board of Ethics composed of four rather than six members, withdrew his ethics complaint against First Selectman Jack Rosenthal last Thursday night, May 3. Mr Laws brought the complaint against the first selectman as a result of a series of incidents involving his development projects during which he claimed Mr Rosenthal did not treat him with the courtesy, fairness and impartially demanded of the code of ethics.

***

A Newtown fire official isn’t happy with the results of an investigation of the Charles Batchelder Company by federal safety officials. George Lockwood, deputy fire marshal, said he was concerned about the health and safety of those working at the Botsford aluminum smelting plant, as well as those living nearby. So, after hearing of an incident where one employee, Jiley McNease, was hurt by a March 9 explosion at the factory, Mr Lockwood contacted the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration. He maintained that “OSHA is the sole agency that can do anything.” Mr Lockwood made a complaint to the federal agency because he felt there were problems at the plant which warranted investigation.

***

The massive rock faces that were created over two years ago when the state built the new Bancroft Drive to link Pole Bridge Road and Alpine Drive in Sandy Hook, pose dangers to pedestrians and traffic because of falling rocks, First Selectman Jack Rosenthal and area residents said this week.

***

A broad selection of student art work was displayed at the weekend WCC art show at Newtown High School May 5 and 6.

***

“It was very hot, and smoke could be seen for miles around” is the way Chief Roland Pratt of the United Fire Company of Botsford described a blaze which he and his men fought late Saturday afternoon at the Batchelder aluminum smelting plant on Swamp Road.

MAY 14, 1954

The United Fire Company, Inc of Botsford, newest of the town’s volunteer fire companies, boasted a brand new Maxim pumper this week after doing for some time with an ancient and less streamlined truck. The delivery of the new truck last Thursday evening, May 6, climaxed a long period of waiting for the members following the approval of the purchase of a truck by the town at a cost of $14,900.

***

The telephone company’s proposal to enlarge the local calling areas of the Danbury, Newtown, Redding and Ridgefield exchanges have been approved by substantial majorities of the customers in each of these exchanges. Here in Newtown 1,691 of the 1,908 subscribers in the exchange registered an opinion, with 78 per cent voting in favor of the proposal.

***

The Newtown Garden Club voted to award prizes next fall to townspeople who have the most beautiful and interesting new gardens, at its regular May meeting, held Tuesday afternoon, May 11, at the home of Mrs Everett C. Speyer, Dingle Brook Lane, Hanover District.

***

The newly-formed Young Republican Club of Newtown was busy this week. On Tuesday evening, May 11, at a meeting held in Edmond Town Hall, announcement was made that the club had been accepted to membership in the county and state Young Republican Clubs. The next evening, Wednesday, representatives of the club received its charter after “Supper with the Governor” at Cobb’s Mill, Weston, from the county Young Republicans.

***

Paul Vincent Cavanaugh, Judge of Probate, died at his home on North Main Street early this Thursday morning after an illness of several months. He was 56 years of age. His death came as a shock to his many friends in the town, county and state, despite his extended illness, for the loss of the vital force which he brough to his many activities in town affairs and charitable causes in which he was interested.

***

Louis Untermeyer, noted poet and anthologist of New York City and Taunton District, Newtown, will be the guest speaker at the Newtown Rotary Club’s dinner meeting which will be held at the Fairfield State Hospital this coming Monday, May 17, at 7 pm.

***

A number of the young people of St Rose parish took part last Sunday morning, May 9, in the ceremony of the crowning of the statue of Our Lady of Grace on the church lawn. A large number of parishioners witnessed the ritual, climaxed by the crowning of the statue by Miss Lorraine Keating.

MAY 10, 1929

The new town court is now an actuality, and will begin functioning July 1. Edward R. Hampton, who resides in Huntingtown district, is the new judge.

***

At the annual meeting of the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company Monday night, the following officers were elected: President, W.A. Upham; vice president, Louis Durgy; secretary, Meredith Sturges; treasurer, Robert J. Clark; foreman, Ernest Hawley.

***

M.J. Flaherty of Ansonia has erected a new and improved building at his roadside stand near the Housatonic River bridge at Sandy Hook.

***

W.B. Bentley, the popular Sandy Hook realtor, has bought a Pontiac sedan through the agency of Lillis & Hurd.

***

Mr and Mrs H.G. Warner, who have been enjoying a steamer trip to New Orleans, La., and return, are expected to arrive in New York Monday next.

***

Richard L. Botsford and Miss Ida May Lawson were married on April 21, at Jasper, Fla.

***

The bill for the new Fairfield State Hospital, which probably will be located in Newtown, has passed the Legislature.

***

The annual Borough meeting took place on Tuesday morning, the polling place being in the store of Morris and Shepard.

MAY 13, 1904

The hustling and doughty carpenters thought they could play ball, but when they came up against the hearty lads of Newtown Street, they went down to sure and sad defeat by a score of 21 to 7. Carlson and Carlson were the battery for the Street boys and were too fast for the carpenters.

***

Contrary to the prophecy of the genial editor of The Newtown Bee, no serious accident occurred at the ballgame on Saturday last. To be sure there were a few mishaps, some broken fingers, a strained back, a bruised ankle, a broken collar bone, fractured skull and torn trousers, but no one with any baseball ardor would consider such trifles.

***

Dr R.S. Todd and his assistant, Edward Stearns, were in Newtown Saturday, operating on the teeth of the horses in the Grand Central stables.

***

Appledore Cottage on Mile Hill has been painted in handsome colors.

***

Miss Jennie Briscoe was obliged to close her school at the Academy two days last week, on account of illness.

***

Frank Ruffles has moved into Amos Camp’s house at Hawleyville.

***

The vestry of Trinity Church have placed the names of the owners of the horse sheds over the entrance to each shed. Daniel G. Beers did the work.