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Western Connecticut escaped the brunt of the heavy rainfall last Saturday through Monday, but it still resulted in scores of flooded basements and an estimated $181,161 worth of damages to the town’s roads. The weekend saw the heaviest amount of 24-hour rainfall in the state this century due to a non-tropical storm — 11 inches in some sections of the state — though this area was spared the heaviest amount.

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The Friends of the Library, a group which has served as an auxiliary organization at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, voted recently to dissolve the organization effective August 1, 1982. According to current president Pat McShea, only two women, Mrs Barbara Pankey and Mrs Alice Ramsey, were willing to serve in leadership spots for the coming year. She stressed that the big problem has been enlisting volunteer support and not money.

* * *

The question now is whether the Newtown budget will finally be passed at next week’s town meeting, which will be the fourth vote of the year. While neither budget supporters nor the referendum-victorious Newtown Concerned Taxpayers seemed satisfied with the council’s $295,000 worth of cuts this week, neither side was directly urging either support or defeat for the budget June 17. Newtown is coming closer to having to borrow money to start the new fiscal year, July 1.

* * *

Staging an outdoor activity in a driving rainstorm is impossible. Changing plans made over a period of months is difficult, but members of the Trinity Church 250th Anniversary Committee proved equal to the task. The “English Fete” went on as scheduled Saturday, June 5, with some hasty improvisation, no small feat. Fete Chairman Connie Weatherup said she was pleased 400 to 500 people attended the Fete despite the weather.

* * *

An open door policy appears to be the hallmark of the ministry of St John’s new vicar. The Rev Joan Horwitt, who held her first services Sunday in the tiny stone church in Sandy Hook, said she plans to move slowly with the parish. Her only official move so far has been to increase Sunday morning services from one to two. Mrs Horwitt, the first woman ordained a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, is referred to as a “vicar,” not rector.

* * *

The date for the annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks celebration sponsored by the Newtown Summer Festival Committee has been announced by co-chairmen Carol and Geoffrey Briand, Jack Shpunt, and Bea and Hank Gellert. The holiday festivities will begin with a picnic at 1 pm on Sunday, July 4, and will conclude many fun-filled hours later with fireworks which begin at 9 pm. The activities will be held at Dickinson Town Park in Newtown.

 

June 14, 1957

Members of the Board of Education approved a general plan of the proposed junior high school at the regular meeting Tuesday evening. Essentially, the plan calls for the segregation of the junior and senior high schools, yet provides for a number of facilities that would be shared by both schools. The proposed school would be connected to the present school by a 70-foot corridor.

* * *

Notice is given by Orrin Edwards, superintendent of the Newtown Water Company, that the water will be shut off next Monday night, June 17, at 11 o’clock so that two hydrants can be replaced on Main Street — in front of the William Honan property and the former Grimes residence. Water will be shut off only while the actual connections are being made, which, Mr Edwards estimates, will require between two and three hours.

* * *

Many taxpayers have been confused and worried by the recent newspaper articles concerning assessment at 100 percent of market value. In very simple terms, assessment of any percentage of market value, and the mill rate amount, have no bearing on the total amount of taxes to be raised by the town. Suppose a town’s yearly budget is $700,000 — $200,000 can be raised from other sources than town taxation, leaving $500,000. Suppose the “Net Grand List” is $20,000,000. Then by dividing $500,000 by $20,000,000 the resultant rate is 25 mills, or $25 per thousand of assessment. Suppose an individual has $5,000 of assessed value; multiply this $5,000 by 25 mills and the result is $125, his share of the town tax.

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The Bee hopes that passersby have noticed the shiny new clock (electrically propelled) which now graces the front of The Bee office. Its predecessor was a gift to The Bee’s previous editor, Allison P. Smith, from his good friend the late “Big Bill” Egan, stationmaster of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Long ago, the clock probably recorded the arrival and departure of trains, but in recent months it simply has refused to work.

* * *

First Selectman Edgar J. Coleman has reported that despite warnings that Black Bridge Road, Sandy Hook, has been closed for repairs, the barricades had been moved aside and some persons had used the road and bridge. He cautioned the road is still closed and that while under repair there is danger in using the bridge.

* * *

Hours for the St John’s Strawberry Shortcake supper will be between 5:30 and 7:30 this Saturday, June 15, at the church. Featured on the menu will be ham, green beans, mashed potato, tossed salad, rolls, coffee, and of course, strawberry shortcake. Tickets are $1.50 for adults and half-price for children.

 

June 10, 1932

The Bee is pleased to note that the T.J. Connor construction Co. of Bridgeport, was awarded the contract for the building of roads and a large retaining wall at the new Fairfield State hospital in Newtown, Friday, by the trustees. Mr Connor, a resident of Newtown, said that the work will commence immediately. Mr Connor’s bid was $41,491.85.

* * *

A heavy frost is reported in the gardens along Washington avenue at Sandy Hook. Tomatoes, beans and potatoes were frosted. This does not look good for the 8th of June.

* * *

The pupils of Miss Louise Nichols will honor Washington with a musical program to be presented Thursday evening, June 23, at 8 o’clock, at the Alexandria room, Edmond Town hall. The young people will be dressed in Continental costumes. Several numbers will be music written in Washington’s day to commemorate his achievements.

* * *

Mr and Mrs John L. Burr returned , Saturday, from an automobile trip which included stops at St Johnsburg and Windsor, Vt., Portland, Maine, and other points. Mr Burr found business conditions very bad in Vermont. A business man at Windsor, a place of some 3,000 population, told Mr Burr that the town was feeding 800 people, and that there was a gloomy outlook for the winter.

* * *

C.F. Conger of Botsford has sold his farm, located on the state road at Botsford, to Samuel Arnold of Brooklyn, N.Y. It has several acres, with a eight-room house, barn and garage. Mr Arnold will go into the poultry business very extensively.

* * *

The Young People’s Club will give a play entitled, “Patty Makes Things Hum,” on Tuesday evening, June 21, at 8 o’clock in Edmond Town hall. The proceeds will be used to send delegates to the Young People’s Conference at Storrs. Following the play there will be dancing with music by the Mad Hatters Orchestra of Danbury. The tickets are 50 cents.

June 14, 1907

Thomas O. Murphy of Botsford is raising chickens extensively, this year, and has just erected a large new chicken yard north of his house. Mr Murphy now has a fine large flock of young chickens.

* * *

Henry Bourquenez of New York, who purchased Mrs Charles Briscoe’s place on Botsford Hill, has had the old house all torn down and burned up and expects in a few weeks to begin his new house, which he is to erect on the same site.

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LOST — or left by mistake by the side of road ¼ mile north of Stepney Depot on Saturday, June 1, a valise belonging to Hanns Kruse. Any one having found this will confer a great favor by writing Hanns Kruse, care of Mr Jefferson Clark, Oronoque, Conn. or by sending same to Stratford, Ct. care of Mr Jefferson Clark.

* * *

Backward season or forward season, William E. Ackley has a garden that beats the world. Every kind of garden produce was planted, and he will soon be enjoying the fruits thereof. Keep your eye on William.

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A disgusting sight, Wednesday, was two able-bodied men stupefied with drink, with a big gallon jug between them, lying in the sheds back of Trinity church.