May 19, 1989

The town meeting to vote on a proposed $150,000 appropriation fro an E911 emergency dispatch system was set for Thursday at 8 pm at the Newtown High School auditorium. The proposal calls for having a single E911center located in the police department, with two dispatchers at all times — one to handle police calls, the other to handle ambulance and fire calls.

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State planners Wednesday accepted as complete a four-volume environmental evaluation on the proposed $52 million jail. Barring possible litigation by Newtown, building could begin as early as July. From this point on, the state Department of Corrections and Public Works will proceed, making every effort to complete the project on schedule. Turner Construction Company, a construction management firm, will oversee the entire building process, fast-tracking the 400-cell jail so that it is “delivered to the state by 1991.”

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After pitching four one-hitters this season, Newtown ace April Ertl finally got a no-hitter as she beat Pomperaug 5-0 last Monday in the final week of the regular season before an enthusiastic hometown crowd. Newtown tries for its third straight Western Connecticut Conference crown when the playoffs begin next Tuesday, May 23, at Southbury’s Community House Field.

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On Tuesday, the people spoke. In a referendum vote of 2,023 to 1,046 — the most lopsided budget referendum defeat in 13 years — the people shot down the $33,416,188 town budget. The council trimmed $394,570 from the Board of Selectmen’s budget, and lopped $500,00 off the bottom line of the Board of Educations’ budget. The council’s revised budget is $32, 521,618. With the budget cuts, the council is scaling back its projected tax rate increase.

May 22, 1964

All the elegance, charm and finery of 200 years ago returned to Newtown last Saturday on the occasion of the Eighteenth Century Ball, sponsored by the Newtown Historical Society. From the first sounds and sight of a horse-drawn coach, a spectacle long unfamiliar to the main Street of town, to the last strains of “Goodnight Ladies” played by a sting quartet, the evening was passed as it well might have been by our Colonial ancestors.

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More than 500 area residents visited the Newtown Savings Bank during the open house last Saturday to celebrate the completion of the Colonial modernization and expansion of the building. Guests were given a tour of the new and improved facilities, including behind the scenes looks at officers’ and staff working areas. The affair also signaled the inauguration window and new hours when the bank will be open from 9 am to 5:30 pm on Fridays for the added convenience of customers.

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The Newtown Board of Education has received a letter from the Commissioner of Education in Hartford stating that the day of National mourning following the death of President Kennedy will be counted as a day of attendance for school purposes. Therefore, the schools in the state will be required to operate only 179 days this school year in stead of the statutory 180 days. Thus, schools in Newtown will complete their year’s work Friday, June 19.

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The combined Newtown fire companies had a drill last Sunday to determine how well the Sandy Hook School is protected from fire. The conclusion was that a better water supply for firefighters is needed. There is a swamp water hole near the school which, the chiefs think, could be made with a little work into a fire reservoir, fenced against drowning accidents.

 

May 19, 1939

During the week many local people have visited the gardens of Mrs Josephine W. Allen on Main Street to enjoy the beautiful sight of numerous spring flowers that are now in bloom. Besides a collection of choice tulips which are of most beautiful colors, there are numerous other spring flowers and a profusion of rock garden plants that are in full bloom.

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H.C. Hubbell, organist of the Congregational church for the past twenty years, has resigned as of May 31st and will be succeeded by William G. Waite of the Yale Music School as organist and choir director.

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Baseball fans attention! A full length talking motion picture, “Baseball — The National Game,” is coming to Newtown. Everyone who likes baseball should not miss this picture. It is taking the country by storm. The Newtown A.C. baseball team is sponsoring the show and the proceeds will be used to buy necessary equipment. The regular admission of forty cents will be charged, twenty cents for students.

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A fire which started in the garage adjoining the barn studio of Mary Alden Hopkins in Taunton district early Saturday morning, resulted in the tragic death of Robert Wheeler, 36-year-old architect. Wheeler’s charred body was found by firemen in the ruins after the large barn and garage had been leveled. Wheeler, who was sleeping on the second floor of the studio, had no chance for escape. As the Newtown fire company reached the scene, the entire structure was a roaring inferno and before water could be pumped from a nearby pond, all possibility of saving any part of the building had vanished. The residence of Miss Hopkins, 75 feet east of the barn, was showered with burning embers and was saved only by its fireproof roofing. The fire started in the garage either from a short circuit in Wheeler’s car or from a carelessly discarded cigarette.

 

May 22, 1914

The Castle is now open under the very able management of Miss E. Wyckoff Vaughn. It is to be conducted as a unique rest resort for literary and professional people. Early arrivals include Mrs Edith Talbert and mademoiselle Marie L. Laroches of New York. Miss Vaughn has a personal acquaintance with Mayor and Mrs Mitchel of New York and expects they will visit The Castle some time during the summer. With her ability and experience and extensive acquaintance, the success of The Castle seems assured.

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Herman N. Tiemann, Jr, while in the locality of Taunton lake, saw a bald-headed eagle. He came close to the great bird and was favored with a good view of him.

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A robbery of highly sensational type took place in South Center, Sunday night. A Slavonian, who had been in the employ of M.F. Kahle, was paid off, Saturday night. Taking advantage of the absence of Mr Kahle’s family on Sunday, he ransacked the house, taking four suits of clothes, two overcoats, shoes, Mrs Kahle’s bracelet, Mr Kahle’s watch and chain, and a valise. It appears he repaired to the woods where he stayed two nights. Monday night he burglarized the pantry at Mr Kahle’s house. Tuesday morning he came out early and took the 7 o’clock train to Bridgeport. Thanks to clever work on the part of Deputy Sheriff Blakeman, he was arrested just as he was about to take the New York train.

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A Newtown citizen sent two dozen eggs by parcel post to a point in Pennsylvania. They were wrapped and packed in excelsior and arrived without an egg being broken.