December 6, 1985

Al Lescrynski, a heavy equipment operator for the Highway Department, on Wednesday mixed sand and salt in the department’s yard so the department would be prepared if it snowed Thursday. Western Connecticut’s Weather Center on Thursday morning predicted the possibility of several inches of snow that night.

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At a heated meeting on December 4, the Legislative Council tabled a proposal for a council committee to study the possibility of dividing the Planning and Zoning Commission into two panels — one for planning and one for zoning. The idea for such a study was raised by council member Charles Nanavaty. Noting that P&Z is a busy commission, Mr Nanavaty said by splitting it into two groups, the planning panel would have more time for planning and the zoning panel for zoning.

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At a town meeting on Wednesday, December 11, voters will decide whether to appropriate $313,480 for architectural fees for the preparation of bid specifications for two proposed school projects — the $4.6 million renovation of the Middle School and the $787,576 addition to the High School.

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Bambi, the nine-month-old buck who came in from the cold, is still alive and well and living at Great Ring Farm, according to Chris Stroker, farm manager. Mr Stroker has been doing research on the fawn, who does not appear to be an ordinary white tail deer. Mr Stroker thinks he may be a Sika deer who has wandered away from a privately raised herd somewhere in the area.

 

December 9, 1960

During the month of November, 1960, there were 23 buildings permits, six oil or gas burner permits, and three septic system permits issued by the Office of Building Inspector Earle H. Megin. The estimated cost of construction shown by these permits totaled $168,880. These permits covered five new one-family residences, one building for a band and the balance for miscellaneous.

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Fifteen firemen of the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company under the direction of Captain Lee W. Glover, responded to a call from the home of Mr and Mrs Louie C. Lovell at 36 Queen Street, Tuesday evening, where a stubborn chimney fire kept them on the scene for over an hour. The company and headquarters truck were used to bring the fire, which resulted in no appreciable damage, under control.

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The annual Holiday Dance given for juniors and seniors in high schools and preparatory schools, and for freshmen and sophomores in college will take place on Tuesday evening, December 27, in the gymnasium of the Edmond Town Hall, from 8 o’clock until midnight. Dancing will be to the music of Joey Zelle’s Club Ritz Orchestra.

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On Wednesday, the Fairfield County First Selectmen’s Association held its annual meeting and election of officers at the Yankee Drove Inn and heard a talk on regional planning from Horace H. Brown, Senior Planner of the Connecticut Development Commission.

December 6, 1935

The Federal Transient Camp on Sunrise Hill, Botsford, was transferred on November 22, to the PWA and on Monday of this week the men started work on the roads in town. There are two gangs of the men, 20 in one gang and 10 in the other. Camp Director E.C. Minnum states that under the PWA the men now receive more pay for their work on a base rate of $15 per month.

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The Pomperaug Trail is completed from Bridgeport to Newtown-Bethel line. The Newtown boys in three years have carried it from the river up the Glen, over Walnut Tree Hill, across the railroad at Hanover, through Sunset Lane to the top of Mt Pleasant, around Taunton Lake, past Carp Hill, down the old road past the much-debated British and French camp site, across the state road near Bevans’ Log Cabins and on to Putnam Park.

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Two robberies took place in town last Friday. Sometime during the day or early evening the Beardsley house in the street was entered and Mr and Mrs Alva Peck, upon their return to the house found that someone had ransacked every room. Silver and jewelry valued at about $75 was missing. An open window in the house of Rev and Mrs F.F. Johnson aroused the suspicion of F.A. Stoddard who noticed it in passing Saturday noon. It was found that the house had been searched. Although things were strewn about, nothing was taken. No clues have been found as yet.

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Have you seen the Hardscrabble blocks? They are of hard wood and would make fine Christmas presents for either boys or girls. They can be bought at Mr Harold Smith’s store or direct from the maker, Jerome P. Jackson, Jr.

 

December 9, 1910

The annual meeting of the Newtown Library association was held Tuesday night. A pleasant feature of the meeting was the presentation to the Library Association by Charles F. Beardsley on behalf of Mrs S.S. Thompson of New Haven, of the sword of Capt Julius Sanford, her father. The sword was taken from Capt Sanford when he was taken prisoner in Bayou Beouf, La, June 24, 1863. Dan Hensley of Ledbetter, Texas, wrote Mrs Thompson, “My brother was a confederate soldier and was stationed in Louisiana. While scouting, [he] took some federal soldiers prisoners, among them Capt Sanford. Shortly after, he came home on furlough and brought the sword with him. The sword has been hanging in our house nearly 47 years.” Capt Sanford, who died in 1879, was a brother of the late Henry Sanford, and of Frederick Sanford. The sword is to be placed in a handsome case and hung in the Newtown Library.

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The case against Louis Bonnette charged with assault on the person of Domenico De Cesaro, in which a knife was used, was brought before Justice P.H. McCarthy, Tuesday. De Cesaro is in the Danbury hospital where Constable Conger took Bonnette, Monday afternoon, to have him identified by De Cesaro.

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Striking an open switch, near Brookfield Junction at 5:33 o’clock Monday evening, the Pittsfield express which left Danbury at 5:22 o’clock took a side track, crossed the turn table and landed in a pit beyond. Due to the presence of mind of Engineer Daniel Mahoney, not one of the hundreds of passengers was fatally injured. The fireman was buried under coal in the cab, but the engineer was uninjured. The latter aided him in escaping.

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Early travelers in the Street blessed the thoughtfulness of A.J. Smith, who had his snow plow out, Wednesday morning, passing up and down the Street. John W. Ray presided over the plow in his usual graceful manner.