Date: Fri 16-Jan-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

constables-DeLucia-Goosman

Full Text:

Newtown's Corps Of Constables Has Little To Do

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Who are these seven Newtown men called constables?

Are they like the deputized men from the Old West who were recruited by the

sheriff at posse time? Do they carry firearms? What about a badge?

None of the above, according to longtime Newtown constable Frank DeLucia, a

former first selectman.

"Most of the constables don't do much in town anymore," Mr DeLucia said. "It

has sort of lost its original purpose."

These days, Newtown has its own police force of some 30 men and women. Today,

being a constable is little more than a title. Under state statues, constables

can still serve writs and other legal papers, transport prisoners and have

limited arrest powers.

Mr DeLucia, who also serves as a deputy sheriff for the county, is probably

the town's most active constable, mostly serving papers in his role as deputy

sheriff. Also active is Tom Goosman, a deputy sheriff, who works at Danbury

Superior Court.

Town Clerk Cindy Curtis Simon said the constable positions are filled

regularly just to satisfy the town's charter and the state statutes.

Jim Stiewing has been a constable for nearly 10 years, but, like most of them,

admits to having little idea of what it's all about.

"I was asked by a friend in politics 10 years ago if I would fill a vacancy,

and they've been reappointing me to new terms every two years since," he

explained. "It's just a title, just a position."

Nevertheless, Mr Stiewing joked that he always has his boots ready at the foot

of his bed. You never know when they might round up the posse.

Years ago, before there was a full-fledged police department, Newtown's

constables were an integral part of public safety. Until 1975, the constables

were elected officials, taking their orders from the first selectman. Today,

they are under the authority of the town's police chief. Chief Jim Lysaght, in

the unlikely event that the entire force came down with the flu or some other

ailment, could empower the constables to take over the public safety duties of

the town. Some constables still direct traffic.

George Blantin, 77, has been a constable for the past 10 years and

occasionally serves papers. He is also a justice of the peace.

"Constables are important to a community," he said. "They've been there for

100 years. I guess they started in England."

Mr Blantin also served 20 years with the state police auxiliary, but he has no

plans for any late night posse roundups.

"When I hit the bed, that's it," he joked.

As for a uniform. "No uniform. We travel incognito," Mr Blantin said.

Serving papers, however, is a different story.

"You're usually serving these papers to some strange people," he said. "I'd

like to serve papers with a six foot pole so I wouldn't have to get near these

guys."

Newtown's other constables are Robert Connor, Carl Swanhall and Donald

MacKenzie.

The town also appoints special constables to patrol certain sections of town.

Joseph L. Steinfeld and Jerry Peterson are the special marine constables for

Lake Zoar, and Gary Wheeler serves as special marine constable for the Lake

Lillinonah Authority. Jack Stokes is the special constable to the Pootatuck

Fish & Game Club.