Tercentennial Committee Starts To Fill Out Its Calendar

By Jan Howard

The Tercentennial Steering Committee on June 2 approved two dates for opening events for the town’s tercentennial year in 2005.

On January 9, the first event of the tercentennial year, the town will celebrate the return to Newtown of the original 1705 deed that is currently in Hartford. On February 5, a tercentennial ball and silent auction will be held at the Fireside Inn. Snow date is February 12.

Plans are continuing for a fireworks display on August 6, 2005. Mike Fitzsimons, chairman of the fireworks committee, reported to Steering Committee members that a site for the display has been located on state property at Fairfield Hills.

Rep Julia Wasserman said that she is working with the Office of Policy and Management on the availability of Department of Agriculture-owned land. She explained that a local farmer leases the property from the state. “I’ll know by the next meeting if there are any hitches,” she said.

Mr Fitzsimons said the best areas for viewing the fireworks, if held at that site, would be the Kent House field, the field behind Reed Intermediate School, an open field on Queen Street, and the field behind the Middle School. He said he would obtain permits for test shots at the site.

He said 11,000 people are expected to attend the fireworks.

Mr Fitzsimons said his preliminary committees consist of police and traffic, firefighter liaison, photography, and someone to take care of bids.

Rich Woycik, chairman of the committee for commemoratives, exhibited some hats and short- and long-sleeved T-shirts that are being sold as fundraisers for the tercentennial.

In regard to beginning a merchandising program, Mr Woycik suggested a counter display somewhere, such as the library, to promote the sale of items. It was decided that rather than taking orders, items should be available for purchase at specific sites. John Martocci said a form would be developed for people who would be selling tercentennial items.

Discussion centered about where the items would be available for purchase as well as what additional items could be offered, such as mugs, pewter plates, and pewter key chains.

“We have to determine what will be the best sellers,” Mr Woycik said.

Among other possible events being discussed by the committee are a murder-mystery dinner in April and a tableau vivant production in September 2005.

Committee member Brigette Sorensen, who chairs the education committee, reported that a Trivia Bee, featuring 300 facts of Newtown, is being planned by the schools. She said she is looking for an organization to sponsor the event.

Mr Martocci, who chairs the fundraising committee, noted that approximately $16,000 has been raised. He said that he expects to raise about $25,000 through sponsorships to pay the expenses for the tercentennial ball so ticket revenues would go into the coffers for future events.

He said it is expected that the Board of Selectmen will allocate $25,000 toward the tercentennial. Bills to be paid with those funds would be submitted to Finance Director Ben Spragg.

Volunteer Coordinator Gordon Williams said he is to send another letter later this month to clubs and organizations to generate more support for the tercentennial. He is also to address the Newtown Board of Realtors.

During public participation, William Timmel advised the committee that Newtown Friends of Music is planning a special concert in the spring of 2005 that would reflect the theme of the tercentennial.

Marie Fodor also advised the committee that the Newtown Board of Realtors is interested in becoming involved with some project for the tercentennial.

In other business, attorney Anne Ragusa presented changes to the bylaws to fit it into a corporate structure. The amended bylaws were unanimously approved. Under the new bylaws, the Steering Committee would also be known as the Board of Directors and the chairman and vice chairman as president and vice president. The bylaws also include two additions to membership, designating members who have contributed $250 or more as charter members and members who have contributed $500 or more as founding members. Other minor changes were made in the bylaws.

The next meeting of the Tercentennial Commission Steering Committee will be July 8 at 3:45 pm at Newtown Savings Bank.

Donations for the tercentennial celebration may be sent to Newtown Tercentennial Inc, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.