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THE WAY WE WERE

February 2, 1973

The State Department of Transportation has decided to discontinue its studies

for a westbound Route I-84 rest area located between Old Hawleyville Road and

Secor Road in Newtown. The state's intentions were relayed to First Selectman

Frank DeLucia in a letter from Deputy Transportation Commissioner George Koch.

Mr Koch said the proposal had sparked such opposition from Newtown residents

that the state has changed its mind.

Flames which could be seen for miles completely destroyed the three-story

carriage barn on the former Smith property next to the Hawley Manor Inn early

Monday morning. The barn was completely involved in flames by the time

volunteers from Newtown Hook and Ladder Company No 1, including those who

lived within the immediate area, reached the scene. The aerial ladder truck

was set up in the Hawley parking lot to direct water on the fire and protect

the inn itself. Fire Chief Lee Glover, who directed the operation, said the

snow cover and some help from the wind also kept sparks from the barn from

reaching the inn. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Newtown Forest Association, at its annual meeting January 25, accepted the

resignation of James Brunot as president, and elected William Watts to succeed

him. Mr Brunot explained that he was stepping down as president because he has

become too busy to devote as much time to the organization as he would like

to. He will continue as a member of the board of directors. Lyman D. Rogers,

also a director, was elected vice president to succeed Mr Watts; George

Northrop was re-elected treasurer, and Thomas Cheney re-elected secretary. The

association approved the action of its directors in accepting two new

donations of land: a wooded parcel of 7.65 acres on Alberts Hill Road, the

gift of John H. Mulliken and his two sons, and a parcel of nine acres on the

Bethel town line near Shut Road and Jangling Plain Road, the gift of James D.

Craig.

Timothy J. Loughlin of Taunton Ridge Road has submitted his formal resignation

from the Newtown Board of Police Commissioners. Mr Loughlin, who recently was

appointed chairman of the State Unemployment Compensation Commission by

Governor Meskill, gave his reason for resigning as his heavy work load

involved with his appointment. Mr Loughlin's unexpired term will be filled by

a person named by the Board of Selectmen with recommendation coming from the

Republican Town Committee.

The Board of Finance at a special meeting on January 29 voted to recommend

approval of special appropriations of $38,000 to balance the school system

budget and $12,000 to repair the Middle School septic system. Three other

appropriation requests totalling $207,000 for repairs to the new high school

were postponed until more reliable cost figures could be obtained. The board

found that the first two appropriations were unavoidable. The budget deficit

was caused by the contract settlement which was signed after the budget was

approved. The Middle School is in danger of being closed by the state unless

defects in the septic system are promptly corrected. The high school repairs

involved defects in the original design and construction of the heating and

ventilating system and poor acoustics in the auditorium.

The Newtown Chapter of the US Jaycees culminated a series of activities last

Saturday by honoring Christopher Spiro and Patricia Delinger as the

outstanding young man and woman in the community. Mr Spiro, a past president

of the local Jaycees, is a member of the Democratic club, co-planner of last

year's Labor Day Parade, and a founder or instrumental person in many Jaycee

functions on the local and state level. Pat Denlinger was cited for her work

with the Girl Scouts, the Children's Adventure Center, the League of Women

Voters, the bloodmobile program and activities of the Jaycee Wives.

JANUARY 30, 1948

Last Thursday evening marked the annual meetings of both the Newtown

Congregational and Trinity Episcopal churches. Considering the snowy weather

and poor traveling conditions, both meetings were well and enthusiastically

attended. A pleasant feature of both meetings was an exchange of greetings

between the two churches and a message of good will and best wishes for the

future of each parish.

Chief Fred G. Mayer of the Newtown Fire Company warned residents of the

extreme risk of fire at this time of year when the roads all are in such

hazardous condition. Most of the side roads are covered with ice and snow and

in many instances it would be impossible to get the fire trucks through if

there was a fire. Chief Mayer advised all residents to be extra careful,

especially those burning wood in stoves, furnaces and fireplaces.

The life of one of Newtown's oldest and best liked citizens came to a close

Monday morning when George Beach Beers passed away in his home at the corner

of Church Hill Road and The Boulevard. He was 86. Mr Beers was born in the

Palestine district and lived there for his first 50 years. He was a successful

farmer who developed a superior variety of field corn, a breeder and trainer

of oxen, and an outstanding country musician. He was married to Grace E.

Blakeman; they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1941, a year

before her death. Surviving are the couple's four children: George Herbert

Beers and Sarah Beers Mitchell of Newtown, Lillian Beers Tiemann of

Manchester, and Jessie Beers Wilson of Flushing, N.Y.; nine grandchildren and

seven great-grandchildren.

The Newtown Chapter of the United World Federalists held a meeting in the

court room of Edmond Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Charles G. Morris presided

as chairman. The increased attendance at this meeting (about 30 people) is an

indication of the growing interest in this movement, which appeals to the

common sense of everyone who has made a study of it. Many US cities have

expressed support for worldwide federalism. The next meeting of the Newtown

chapter will be a discussion group on February 5. At that time, the procedure

for establishing world government will be taken up and analyzed. Anyone

interested is invited to attend.

A special town meeting has been called for next Friday evening at Edmond Town

Hall to act on a request made by the Board of Selectmen for an additional

appropriation of $17,000 to be used for road work. The present $20,000

appropriation, due to the necessity of handling the winter's unusually heavy

snowfall, is now nearly exhausted. The Board of Finance, at its meeting

Wednesday night, approved the request of the selectmen for this additional

road appropriation.

To raise money for Newtown's share in the March of Dimes drive against polio,

two basketball games will be played by Hawley High School, St Rose and SAC on

the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium floor next Wednesday evening. Hawley Principal

Carl A. LeGrow, when asked for permission for the games, stated that it was

against school policy to schedule games for the nights of school days but,

owing to the worthiness of the purpose, the rule would be waived this one

time.

Three cars of a freight train were derailed in Botsford Saturday morning as

the train was proceeding from Danbury to New Haven. It was necessary to halt

all freight traffic between the two cities until the tracks were cleared by a

tool train and crew from the New Haven yards, which required several hours to

accomplish.