It has been 13 months since the negotiators for the Newtown Federation of Teachers and the Board of Education first sat down at the bargaining table in order to try to write a new contract for the teachers of Newtown. In that period of time, one which involved hundreds of hours of talking, impasses were reached which finally led to mediation and then arbitration. During that time also the contract under which the teachers had been working ran out, on August 31, 1974, and when school opened in September, the teachers went to the classrooms without a contract and worked under the terms of the old one.  

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The Newtown Beautification Committee is happy to report that all the dogwood trees have been sold. The members would like to thank the townspeople for the wonderful response.

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Newtown and other area towns may be affected by a recent State Supreme Court decision upholding the state requirement that communities provide solid waste disposal facilities. New Milford lost recently its two year fight to avoid paying fees for the disposal of septic tank cleanings when Judge Robert A. Wall ruled the town in violation of state law and ordered it to provide a dumping area or pay the extra costs of dumping out of town. What this could mean for Newtown, First Selectman Frank DeLucia has said, is that “the Town could end up paying dumping fees for Newtown septic tank pumpers, and for those from out of town who do business in Newtown.

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Citing a deficiency in commercially-zoned land in Newtown, which he feels is “strangling” potential growth for the community’s tax base, local realtor Robert McCulloch was one of the supporters for a change of zone application heard on Thursday evening, April 3, by the Zoning Commission of the Borough.

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Watershed land in Newtown which the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company has said it intends releasing over the next two years will be the topic when the Board of Selectmen meets next Tuesday, April 15, with the Planning & Zoning and Conservation Commissions. First Selectman Frank DeLucia has expressed concern about the town’s ability to pay for the property which will be released. The town has first purchase rights on water company lands within its borders, and Mr DeLucia has said one of the purposes of the meeting will be to consider the value of the parcels in relation to the pending update of the open space portion of the plan of development.

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The Newtown teachers, since they have been out on strike, have been attempting to reach parents and the public in order to state their side of the case in the strike.

APRIL 14, 1950

As a result of last Saturday’s referendum vote in the towns of Newtown, Southbury, Woodbury, and Bethlehem, Regional School District No. 3 came to an end, with 2,039 district residents voting for its continuance, while 2,491 voted for dissolution. A total of 4,583 voters out of an eligible list estimated at 7,651 cast their ballots, giving anti-regional forces an edge of 452 over proponents of the four-town plan. The vote climaxed a final two-year period in which opposition to the district gathered momentum, with both sides waging town- and district-wide campaigns. Town meetings, legislative hearings, and litigation in the courts of the state finally brought about the referendum which took place under the terms of a special act of the General Assembly drawn up late last year.

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The habit of panhandling may be expected in cities. It is not to be expected in towns such as Newtown, however, and so the recent peddling here of manual alphabet cards for the deaf and dumb has aroused the indignation of Francis P. Keating of Sandy Hook. He is secretary of the Waterbury Division of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, and is much interested in promoting the best interests of all deaf mutes, himself being one of their number.

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Newtown’s town baseball team, playing again this year as the Newtown Bees under sponsorship of The Newtown Bee, will hold the season’s first practice on Sunday afternoon, April 16, at Taylor Field at 2 o’clock. All local players who are interested in playing with the team will be welcomed and are urged to attend this first practice session.

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Hawley School students will act as hosts to the delegates and visitors at the Housatonic Valley Schoolmen’s League spring forum next Monday, April 17. Thirteen schools are expected to participate in the discussion of the topic, “The America We Want.”

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At the annual convocation of Hiram Chapter No. 1, R.A.M., held at the Masonic Hall in Sandy Hook on Wednesday evening, the following officers were elected for 1950-51: High Priest, Charles T. Cooper; King, Raoul Thiman; Scribe, Clarke S. Walker; Treasurer, Albert S. Knapp; Secretary, Raymond L. Hall; C. of H., John Chase, Jr; P.S.,  William B. Wright; R.A.C., Richard D. Kerrins; Master 3rd Veil, Gordon Knowlton, Jr; Master 2nd Veil, Lynn Mathewson; Trustees, Charles F. Nichols, Arthur T. Nettleton, George E. Peck; Finance Committee, Henry B. Tucker, William McKenzie, and Arthur Tucker.

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The movie Mr Smith Goes To Washington, starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur, will be shown in the Edmond Town Hall theater at 7 and 9 o’clock on Thursday evening, April 27, under the auspices of the local chapter of the United World Federalists. The proceeds from the comedy-drama will be used in promoting the work of the Newtown group. It is hoped by the UWF that many will see this picture as the members feel its political message is of important significance today.

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The Edward E. Bray Company of Bridgeport began work on the addition to the Edmond Town Hall this past Tuesday. The contractors have assured the Board of Managers that work will progress rapidly and should be completed within five months. The Bridgeport firm was awarded the contract on the basis of its low bid of $41,344, the addition designed by Jerome P. Jackson, Sr, to provide more office space for present Town Hall occupants and the local visiting nurse.

 

APRIL 10, 1925

A.E. Bevans of Dodgingtown is driving a new Ford sedan.

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Recklessness of motorists is held to have been responsible for 14,559 of 20,780 accidents reported to the state Motor Vehicle Department during the past year.

 

APRIL 13, 1900

Herbert Flansburgh, now touring with the dramatic troupe “The Girl in the Barracks,” passed Sunday with his mother at the Newtown Inn. Mr. Flansburgh is to travel next season with one of the “Shore Acres” companies.

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Extensive repairs are being made at the Congregational parsonage, new floors and masonry being placed in the rear part of the house.

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Charles D. Ferris was in New Milford Monday, where he bought an extra fine yoke of oxen of Ex-Comptroller Staub.