Faced with major capital costs to comply with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements by next year, and possible major costs to enlarge its mains to provide adequate flows of water for fire protection for local industries, General Waterworks is seeking to sell the Newtown Water Company to either the Town of Newtown or Borough of Newtown. The town’s Chamber of Commerce and its industrial division this week urged continuing study of municipal versus private ownership to solve the water problems.

***

By the time Monday evening rolled around, everyone in town pretty much knew what Lyndon Thomas would have to say when he addressed the Republican Town Committee. With very few words, he let it be known he was in the running for the seat of first selectman, and hoped to get the GOP nod for a chance to challenge incumbent Democratic First Selectman Jack Rosenthal in the fall.

***

Parents who had hoped for a change of heart on the part of the Board of Education in the implementing of a redistricting plan for next year, were disappointed on Tuesday night, when the board voted 5-1 to go ahead and shift about 75 elementary children to different schools. All the schools will be affected. Some students now at Sandy Hook will attend either Hawley or Middle Gate, as will some from Head O’ Meadow. The purpose of the plan, according to the board and Superintendent of Schools Dr Albert Brinkman, who worked out the plan, is to bring a more equal balance of student population to the schools.

***

On Saturday evening, June 16, beginning at 6 pm, 290 members of the Newtown High School Class of 1979 will march into Bruce Jenner Stadium to receive their diplomas at commencement exercises. In case of rain, the ceremonies will be in the school auditorium. Graduation speaker will be Dr M. Kathleen McGrory, dean of arts and science at Eastern Connecticut State College, who will speak to the Class of 1979 “On the Threshold of the 80s.” Susan E. Svensen will deliver the Valedictory address, and Peter R. Goebel, the Salutatory.

***

The newly formed Historic District Study Committee will meet for the first time Friday, June 15, at 8 pm in the Borough Room of the Edmond Town Hall. The following members constitute the committee: Miss Alice Winchester, Mrs Ann Clark, Mrs Gretchen Hyde, Robert Connor, and Ray Gold. Gerard Healy, Herbert Rosenthal, and Gerry DeLuccio were recommended as alternates.

***

The Planning & Zoning Commission has cleared the way for a local developer to propose a ten-court commercial racquetball club off Commerce Road. By a three-to-one vote the Planning & Zoning members last week approved zoning amendments proposed by Atty Sutherland Denlinger on behalf of George Arfaras.

***

Richard S. Baldelli, the town’s new zoning enforcement officer, now has the authority to arrest violators of the town’s zoning regulations, as the Board of Selectmen Monday night appointed him a special constable of the town for a one-year term, lasting until June 10, 1980.

JUNE 18, 1954

At its June 10 meeting, the Newtown Board of Education received three representatives of the Newtown Citizens Committee on Education, Wolcott Toll, Mrs Sydney Dobbs, and Mrs Robert Hallock. Mr Toll outlined the work of the committee to date and discussed with the board some of the group’s future plans. He emphasized the committee’s desire to work with the Board of Education in helping wherever it can with education problems, particularly in such matters as adequate housing for the increased enrollment in the schools.

***

Miss Virginia Northrop, 17-year-old member of the graduating class of Newtown High School, was picked as one of six members of the royal court of the Barnum Festival in Bridgeport on Tuesday night at Klein Memorial in Bridgeport. The selection was made by a panel of judges as the first step toward picking the king and queen of this year’s festival. From the group of six the king and queen will be selected.

***

Successful completion of the test inoculation of second graders in Hawley School in the nation-wide test of the new polio vaccine was marked by a ceremony in Hawley School auditorium last Thursday morning, June 10, when 68 children were dubbed “polio pioneers,” and received certificates of inoculation. John F. Holian, co-chairman of the March of Dimes in Newtown, made the presentation.

***

The proposed purchase of a Sandy Hook farm of approximately 80 acres including a house, large barn, and outbuildings at a price of $35,000, was approved by the voters in a special town meeting last Friday night, June 11, by a vote of 112 to 64. The transaction had been urged by the Board of Selectmen to provide an adequate supply of gravel for building and repairing town roads, to furnish housing for town trucks, and to provide a site for a possible future school.

***

Last Friday evening, 11 happy boys and perhaps their not so happy dads started off on the first overnight Cub Scout camping trip in New England. Traveling in individual cars, the Cub Scouts, all members of Newtown pack 70, and their dads drove to Camp Cullen, the Boy Scout camp in Southbury, where they proceeded to pitch their tents and set up camping equipment. As soon as this was accomplished, some of the party went on a hike while others played a game of ball. The weatherman had given the boys an ideal night for sleeping out of doors, it being one of the warmest nights of the year so far, and as it got dark willing hands gathered wood for a big bonfire around which the boys and their dads sang songs and played games. For once, 11 boys needed no urging to go to bed — the thrill of sleeping out was too great and by 10 o’clock lights were out.

***

Mr and Mrs William H. Foote and son, Andrew, sailed from New York City Wednesday aboard the M.V. Britannic for Liverpool, England. Mr Foote, fifth-grade teacher at Hawley School, will study certain aspects of education in the elementary to grammar school grades abroad, while visiting relatives in both England and Scotland.

***

The combined fire companies of Newtown will sponsor their second Independence Day parade on Sunday, July 4. Polishing up their apparatus and wearing dress uniforms, they will make a lively showing along with the martial airs of town musical units and floats of other organizations.

JUNE 14, 1929

The fire alarm was sounded about 4:30 pm Wednesday for an oil stove fire in the residence of E.S. Pitzschler. The smoking stove was quickly gotten outdoors, and aside from much smoke and smudge no substantial damage was done. Members of the local fire company responded promptly and were on hand to give assistance.

***

The final commencement of Newtown Academy was held on Thursday afternoon. Dr Gesner delivered the address to the graduating class, and also gave them their diplomas. This is a sad day and a glad day.

***

The Girls’ Friendly Society held one of the largest meetings of the year on Tuesday night. About 35 were present, including all the associates. The box of infants’ clothing, which the girls made for the Church Mission of Help in Bridgeport, was packed.

***

Work is being rushed on the new refreshment stand that is being built by Mr and Mrs Henry Martin in South Center district.

***

Selectman T.F. Brew is building on a new veranda and making interior changes in the residence of Miss Margaret Bradley of Curtis hill.

JUNE 17, 1904

The Street nine played ball Saturday on the fair grounds with a nine from Palestine. Only three innings were played, when the rain stopped proceedings. The score then stood 8 to 2 in favor of the Street team.

***

The Board of School Visitors will meet at the high school building Saturday morning, June 25, at 9:30 am, to hold the annual examinations for entrance to the high school. All candidates are requested to present themselves on that day.

***

Austin Botsford saw two fine deer near his home in Lake George one day last week.

***

Homer G. Clark purchased last week two fine fat steers of Thomas Keating for meat business.

***

F.B. Brew has been appointed dog agent and is now on the war path looking after the owners of dogs who have failed to register. Only prompt action on the part of the dog owners will save prosecution.

***

A recital by pupils of Professor C.S. Platt will be given in Glover’s Hall, Sandy Hook, on Wednesday evening, June 29. A vocalist will appear and also a well-known elecutionist.

***

The private school at the Academy, Miss Briscoe, teacher, closed on Tuesday noon. The pupils presented the teacher with an umbrella and a hat pin, and Master Leonard Wright gave her a bouquet of flowers.