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There may be a new Christmas tradition in Newtown. The merchants at the Queen Street shopping center are planning their first “Christmas Stroll” on Friday, December 16. The festivities will begin at 6 pm with the lighting of a Christmas tree on the traffic island near the Post Office and bank. For the next two hours, the shopping center will be filled with Christmas music by church and school groups, and of course, Santa Claus will put in an appearance.

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After realizing that the public was in favor of accessory apartments, but not in favor of the regulations proposed at a public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission went back to the drawing board and came back with suggestions for revision. Accessory apartments will not be permitted in homes with less than 1,500 square feet. Accessory apartments must be built within the existing dwelling and be at least 300 but not more than 500 square feet. The apartments will have a kitchen, a bathroom and one bedroom. Only three people can live in one accessory apartment.

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In his five year capital improvement plan for the town, which he is required to make every two years, Newtown Financial Director Benjamin Spragg is recommending a package of capital improvements that would cost a total of $5,793,740. Based on his current projections of the town’s income and expenses over the next five years, he said the town could afford all the items in the plan without having to steeply raise the property tax rate.

 

December 12, 1958

No new bids were received for the old Sandy Hook School or for the town-owned house and acre of land at the former Hiram Morgan property at Monday morning’s public auction. Harold E. Jackson, whose written offer to the town for the old school for $5,000 was set as the minimum price, purchased the school at that price. Mr Jackson told The Bee he plans to improve the building and establish an appliance showroom on the ground floor, as well as a shop for his plumbing business.

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Recently, one for the worst types of vandalism on the public highways has come to my attention, reports First Selectman Edward J. Coleman. “The Town of Newtown, together with the State Traffic Commission, installed speed signs, stop signs, and various other signs fro the protection of the driving public. We notice, in many cases, that these signs have been knocked down and twisted completely, so that in many cases they are pointing in the wrong direction…. this is a violation of the State and the Town of Newtown and if anyone is caught, he will lose his driving license for one year.”

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The long planning stage for the addition to Newtown High School is expected to culminate this Thursday evening with the signing of the contracts for construction of the building. Apparent low bidder for the general construction contract was the E and F Construction Co of Bridgeport with a base bid of $864,000. The new addition to the school, approved in a referendum September 3, is expected to be completed in time for use next fall.

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An organizational meeting of the Newtown Pistol and Rifle Club will take place at 8 pm, Sunday, December 15, in the Newtown Fire House. All persons, 17 years of age or older, interested in hunting, recreational shooting, or collecting of firearms are invited to join the club. The club will be a local affiliate of the National Rifle Association.

 

December 8, 1933

On Tuesday of last week 132 school children from the various schools of the town were X-rayed for tuberculosis at the Edmond Town hall gym, as part of a program being sponsored by the State Board of Health. The children were transported to the gymnasium in school buses and private cars.

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A legally called Borough meeting was held, Tuesday night, at the Edmond Town hall, to act on the question of holding Sunday evening movies in Newtown. There was no debate. By a standing vote the holding of Sunday meetings was defeated 24 to 20.

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Starting Saturday evening, December 9, weekly dancing will be held every Saturday evening at the well known Toot and Come Inn on Lake Zoar. Both round and square dancing will be enjoyed throughout the evening. M.F. Hall, who is sponsoring these dances, wishes to assure the public that every effort will be made to make these affairs enjoyable. Admission will be 25 cents.

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Patrons of the movie theaters viewing “Little Women” the current feature, are unaware that a Newtown resident had a part in the making of the film. When they read the line “Interiors by Hobe Erwin” few were aware that was Hobert Erwin, who has a summer place in Palestine district. Mr Erwin purchased the Benedict homestead about two years ago and persons familiar with the exterior and interior of the colonial residence saw a decided resemblance in many of the film scenes.

 

December 11, 1908

The auction at the residence of J.L. James, Saturday, was attended by about 100 people. Charles F. Beardsley, one of the best auctioneers in these parts, presided in his usual breezy manner. Fair prices ruled.

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Joseph Brenner, the tailor, had his horse stolen in Danbury, Tuesday, and has not been able to get trace of it. The horse is bay in color and was attached to a buggy. It is a hard blow to Mr Brenner. Anyone getting any information will do a favor to notify Mr Brenner at Tel No 90-3.

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What is the Christmas stamp? The National Red Cross society, with President Elect Taft at the head, has adapted the Christmas stamp to make it national. Every Christmas stamp costs a penny, every penny from its sale to go for active work against consumption, dispensary and sanitarium work. These stamps are to be sold in Newtown by the different stores.

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The case of State vs Town Clerk M. J. Houlihan, on the charge of embezzlement, $1,702.15, being the amount of the so- called Houlihan checks for dog taxes, was arranged for trial on Tuesday before Judge Gager in the Superior court at Bridgeport. At noon, Tuesday, however rumors were about the court that a settlement would be reached. In the meantime Mr Houlihan’s friends are hustling to raise a sufficient amount to effect a settlement.