June 16, 1995

Borough Zoning Commission members have approved plans for an expanded Booth Library, which would increase the building’s overall size from approximately 13,000-square-feet to 35,000-square-feet... In approving the library’s site plan, commission members required that a gate be installed to prevent access to the property when the library is closed... Brickwork, windows, and shutters on the proposed library addition will be the same as those on the existing building... landscaping and fencing features have been designed to address the privacy and security concerns of library neighbors.

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A Main Street couple upset over the Booth Library’s plans to expand has sued the town seeking to prevent the construction project. In legal papers filed May 30 in Danbury Superior Court, Edwin and Jean Baumer of 23 Main Street sue the Borough Zoning Commission over its May 22 approval of two zoning amendments which were requested by the library trustees so the trustees could proceed with the library expansion project... The Baumers claim that because their property abuts the library, they are specially and injuriously affected by the Borough Zoning Commission granting the library the zoning amendments.

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The Newtown Newcomer’s Club was incorporated May 18 to replace the local Welcome Wagon Club. Although the new club will function in much the same way, it is able to expand membership and have more financial freedom than the group had under the auspices of Welcome Wagon International. For instance, residents who have lived in town for a while, but never had the time or inclination to join the social/service community group may now participate. Previously, membership was limited to only new families in town.

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Western Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, a minimum-security prison operated by the State Department of Corrections at the Fairfield Hills Hospital campus, has closed down. The intensive program which had been conducted at Western to counsel DOC inmates who have substance abuse problems will now be conducted at the DOC’s Webster Correctional Institute in Cheshire.

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It was heart that got them there, and a lack of heart which sent them home. The Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse team — one not terribly long on stick skills but one driven by an undeniable will and a strong heart — earned a No. 1 seed in the CIAC Division II state tournament and was aiming for its second state championship in three seasons. But the heart, the will, the thing that drove the Indians was absent for almost 30 minutes in the semi-finals... allowing South Windsor to build up a 10-3 lead — and when that heart, that drive, started pumping again in the second half, it was much too late.

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Due to student Ben LaVigne’s prolific correspondence to Snapple, Newtown High School students got free drinks, T-shirts, and an opportunity to watch a coronation. Ben wrote into Snapple with a question: Is there a Snapple king, because I am the Snapple king of my town. Ben, a freshman, expected Snapple would eventually respond with a letter and a coupon. Snapple officials decided coupons were not enough for the Snapple king, however, and organized a surprise visit to the high school, Thursday, June 8, to officially crown this royal drinker. Ben, who drinks lemon ice tea, was given a gold (colored) crown bejeweled with Snapple caps.

June 12, 1970

Vandalism is again plaguing Dickinson Memorial Park. A pump belonging to the D’addario Construction Company was thrown into the pond and cinder blocks heaped on top. This, in addition to the flowers that have been destroyed, the windows broken, and other damage caused lately, has caused the park authorities to request police protection 24 hours a day.

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At Tuesday’s referendum, June 9, 2,442 of Newtown’s voters turned down the Luf property as an elementary school site almost three to one. Of the five questions on the machines, the first one was key, an appropriation of $94,520 to buy the 47.26 acre site. The vote was 639 in favor, and 1,783 opposed. With the failure of this proposal the other four questions also failed, since they were contingent on the approval of question one... It’s a moot point whether the tension was lightened or increased when a fuse blew toward the end of the referendum, and, for an hour or more, voting was done by flashlight.

***

One of the oldest homes in Newtown was damaged by a fire, which broke out Sunday, June 7. The owners of the home, Harrie and Marni Wood, were not home at the time and the cause of the blaze has not been determined. A neighbor sent in the alarm at approximately 6 pm when he noticed smoke coming from the house, which is located on Poorhouse Road in the Dodgingtown area of town. There was extensive flame, smoke, and heat damage done to a portion of the house, and some of the lovely antiques the Woods owned were lost.

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The Board of Education met in an unaccustomed place on Tuesday evening, June 9 — the new theatre-auditorium in the Newtown Middle School. The programs were reported upon by Mrs Marjorie Hobbs, school psychologist, and Mrs Walter Crookes, perception development teacher at Hawley School. The newly instituted pre-testing program for children entering kindergarten was described as very successful. The second program is a proposal for a pre-kindergarten class. Federal funds of $21,116.05 have been requested.

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NEWTOWN CLEANERS, 54 Church Hill Rd., Newtown

WILL CLEAN YOUR FLAG FREE

Saturday is FLAG DAY. 3 hr Service, Tel. 426-2654

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Residents of Settler’s Lane and Surrey Trail have formed a group, known as the Chestnut Hill Association, to work toward solution of road and water problems in the two developments. Some 25 families are involved.

June 8, 1945

A scrap paper drive will be conducted in Newtown on Saturday, June 9, the date of June 2 which appeared in last week’s Bee, having been in error. William Hunter, local Salvage chairman, announces that the trucks, starting at 1:30, will follow the same route as in the past. All townspeople are asked to not only contribute, but to have their bundles of papers properly tied and readily available at the roadside or at one of the collection depots. Scrap paper is urgently needed and Newtown must again do its part.

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The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Newtown would like to acquire a building, barn, or like structure for a meeting place. A floor space approximately 25 x 30 feet. Have you such a building? Please call Harrie Wood, Chairman of the Troop Committee, Newtown 465.

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Commencement exercises for the senior class of Hawley High school will be held at the Edmond Town Hall, Thursday evening, June 14, at 8 o’clock. With the hopes of the long four years grown to fruition, nineteen seniors will march down the aisle of the big auditorium to receive their diplomas from William Honan, president of the board of education.

***

After waiting five hours at the Bridgeport railway station last Friday afternoon, Mr and Mrs Harold DeGroat were rewarded by the sight of their son, Lieut. Robert DeGroat, who was reported missing last December and since then has been a prisoner in Germany. He now has a 60-day leave of absence after which he will report to Atlantic City, N.J. for reassignment. He expects to remain in the states for at least six months.

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To promote public safety and prevent waste of human assets as well as vitally needed motor transportation, Commissioner of Motor Vehicles John T. McCarthy announces the resumption this month of “on the spot” inspections of motor vehicles in use on Connecticut highways. While tires, lights, and every operating part of the car are subject to spot inspection, the new activity will continue brake inspections that have been carried on by state and local police.

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Fire, started from a small oil stove, destroyed a small brooder house and several young chickens last Thursday morning at the property of John Wilcox, across from the 6-25 Club on the Newtown-Danbury Road.

June 4, 1920

The microfilm containing 1920 Newtown Bee editions is kept at the C.H. Booth Library, which is temporarily closed due to coronavirus health precautions.

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