* * *

The worst snowstorm of the year hit Newtown on Wednesday night and Thursday, creating power outages, and forcing the cancellation of another school day. Before ending later on Thursday, the storm was expected to leave behind almost a foot of snow in areas of high elevation.

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Fairfield Hills Hospital police are upset with plans calling for Newtown police to patrol the grounds. Jack Moriarty, president of the International Union of Police Associations, maintained the town police force “doesn’t have the power to make arrests on state property.” The argument by hospital police that that town does not have jurisdiction on hospital ground is central to their position that they (hospital police) should be allowed to carry weapons.

* * *

Joseph Saputo, a mail sorting clerk at the Newtown Post Office for more than 10 years, pleaded guilty in US District Court, Bridgeport, on March 26 to a single count of theft of mail by a postal employee. Mr Saputo was arrested February 17 by postal inspector Kevin Burke, following Inspector Burke’s investigation of numerous “missing mail” complaints from Newtown residents. When confronted in his home by Inspector Burke, Mr Saputo turned over a bag of 120 letters that he had taken from the post office.

 

April 3, 1959

First Selectman Edward J. Coleman announce this week it is the intention of the Board of Selectmen to get up a study committee to inquire into the advantages of a charter for Newtown. If the preliminary group determines there is a need and a desire for a charter, then a commission will be appointed.

* * *

Townspeople, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Newtown Congregational Church have rallied to the support of Mr and Mrs Jerry Randall and their eight children whose four-room house in Pootatuck Trails was completely destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning. Nothing was salvaged from the house. Clothing for the family has been purchased and donations of furniture have been received.

* * *

Earle H. Megin, recently appointed by the Newtown Building Commission to serve as Building Inspector, started his duties on Wednesday, succeeding James Carmichael, who had been acting inspector since the building code took effect January 1. Mr Carmichael, who contends the commission should have appointed him as top-ranking candidate determined by the state examination, has sought a court ruling.

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Maple Grove Tennis Club, Orchard Hill Road, South Center, announces the opening of classes in tennis for the season starting April 7 and continuing through September. At the same time it is announced the local club will sponsor a junior league tennis team, which will be eligible for State and New England competition. The Maple Grove Club plans many exhibition matches during the season.

March 30, 1934

The girls’ physical education program went more smoothly, this week. A new schedule was arranged and followed by all the girls. They exercised for ten minutes, then divided into groups and danced Virginia reels, minuets, and other old dances. For the rest of the period they did the regular ballroom dancing.

* * *

This is the last week of the Girl Scout contest for gathering the egg masses of the tent caterpillars. At the regular meeting next Tuesday, the three winners will select their prizes. The total score for today is 35,429. Ann Hillhouse has collected 14,831; Lucille Williams, 4,961; Shirley Wakelee, 4,602; and Florence Kayfus, 1,545.

* * *

Although the “blizzard season” as established by the March 12 date of the blizzard of 1888 has passed, officials and employees of the Southern New England Telephone Company will be very thankful if they never witness another storm like that of February 20, 1934, which the “old timers” insist was a “mild affair” compared with that of 46 years ago.

* * *

The Newtown Borough had some excitement, Friday afternoon, when the blowing of the fire siren called the local firemen to the residence of George M. Stuart, chairman of the Town Finance Board, on Hanover avenue. When the Foreman Glover arrived at the scene, smoke was pouring from all over the house. Two lines of hose were laid from the hydrant near the residence and streams of water were soon poured into the cellar, where the timbers and floors were on fire.

 

April 2, 1909

Michael Kilbride has cut down a very large maple tree in front of the residence of W.F. Hayes. The handsome silver birch tree just north of the site of the Newtown Savings bank has been cut down.

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Nearly every civilized country is awake to the fact that Tuberculosis is a contagious disease; that by good work in the right direction many of those afflicted can be cured, for others, the disease can be arrested, the patient made more comfortable, and in time, with proper care and enforcement of the existing laws, the disease may be practically eliminated. Statistics show that the disease is spreading to an alarming extent, therefore, it is our duty to use every effort within our power to stamp it out.

* * *

Edward Conger, who was burned out, last week, at Botsford, has moved into Mr Wakelee’s house in Huntingtown. Their neighbors have been very kind and have donated a quantity of furniture to assist them in furnishing their home.

* * *

For a feat in rapid-fire gardening Edward Taylor takes the lead. With the assistance of the expert in agricultural matters, “Sandy,” the Brick Store’s hand man, he spaded up a garden measuring a half-acre in just 20 minutes, and planted a half bushel of onions. It is quite evident Mr Taylor’s long tramps after the foxes has put him in prime condition for work. The Bee will match him against any other man east of the railroad track, in a spading contest.