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The $23,218,101 town budget, which called for a spending increase of 8 percent, was rejected by a 48-vote margin in the referendum June 18, in a turnout of less than 24 percent. The voters’ decision on the budget — marking the second time the budget has been defeated at referendum — sent the Legislative Council back to the drawing board Wednesday night.

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One sheep has been on the loose for at least one week in the Taunton Lake Drive area because he prefers the terrain of his neighbors’ yards to that of his own home, police speculate. A sheep, owned by Dr Robert Grossman, has been sighted several times in the yard of John Kursawe, of 10 Taunton Lake Drive. June 12, at 4:16 pm, Mr Kursawe reported that Dr Grossman’s sheep was loose on the property. At 7:45 he called to report the sheep was on his porch and would not leave. Apparently, the sheep enjoys Mr Kursawe’s porch because there is a big window where the sheep stares at its reflection. On June 13, Mr Kursawe reported the sheep was still in his yard. On June 14, police received a call from the Sciaretto residence, at 21 Taunton Lake Drive, that the sheep was now in their yard. The sheep was last seen heading into the woods.

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An organization called Friends of the Library, which was in existence for 9 years between 1974 and 1983, is being revived by a handful of enthusiastic volunteers. Helping revitalize the organization are Joanne Zang, Eileen Hanson and Ginny Warner. Sylvia Horvath was elected president. According to Mrs Horvath, the group’s goals will be to raise funds, plant events to supplement library programs and lobby for library needs.

June 23, 1961

Newtown’s Combined Fire Companies are planning the biggest parade ever for Wednesday of carnival week, July 3 to 8. It is expected a dozen bands and 1,000 marchers will take part in the parade down Route 34 to the parade grounds at the Italian Community Center.

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To limit occupancy in a birdhouse, it is usual to make a small-bore hole. George Kayhoe of West Street did just that to provide for some wrens. This weekend, a pesky sparrow squeezed in and set up squatter’s rights. The female wren was infuriated, but accepted the inevitable. She moved. But she didn’t move very far. The Kayhoe’s large bird feeder was piled high with chunks of bread. One at a time the wren threw them to the ground, then started gathering twigs to build her nest right in the open feeder.

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The Board of Education held a special open meeting Tuesday night at the local high school cafeteria concerning the program of ability grouping in the Newtown schools. The board announced that it had voted to retain the ability grouping program in its present form for the coming academic year. Robert Fox, president of the Hawley PTA, urged the board to study results from ability grouping in other schools in the state and throughout the country, before making any change in the present plan.

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Vincent P. Gaffney of Botsford Hill Road, who for the past 25 years has been in charge of the vocational-agricultural program at the Newtown High School, has been appointed to teach mathematic, science, and chemistry, beginning in September. The board has decided to discontinue the vocational-agricultural course because of decreasing enrollment in the course.

June 19, 1936

To The Editor: Among the multitude of persons who read the attractive pages of your publication, there may be one who recalls a legend handed down of a skirmish between British forces and French and Colonial troops in the latter part of the Revolution. It occurred in Newtown. In a surprise attack, very early one morning, when French and Americans were unprepared, several were killed and buried where they fell. Will the person who remembers communicate with me? It may have been about the time the Redcoats burned Danbury. It will authenticate and complete a thrilling page of Newtown’s history and a charming romance. It will give two or more prominent families details of the life and heroic death of their great, great grandfathers. It will correct a slight error in Newtown’s history. With warm thanks, Hollister Sage.

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Mails at the Botsford, Newtown, Sandy Hook and Hawleyville post offices were more than two hours late last Friday morning when the mail truck became mired in the mud on a back road between Toll Gate Hill and the Botsford post office. Two other cars that went to its rescue also became mired, so that it was some time before the mail pouches could be delivered.

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Members of the Dodgingtown Fire Company gave a demonstration of their newly equipped pumper on Monday evening at Elizabeth Lake, at the foot of Newtown’s Main street. The demonstration was highly satisfactory and the Dodgingtown firemen can well be proud of their equipment.

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About 50 interested residents of Newtown gathered in the social room of the Congregational church on Monday evening when a dramatic club was organized, to be known as the Towne Players. Baird Hall, who has been active in promoting the group, was elected as chairman. The purpose of the group is to meet every two months when some play will be presented for the members. Only two public performances will be given during the year. The group will be limited to an active membership of 75. Anyone interested is welcome to join and may do so between now and the July meeting at a reduced rate of $1. After that time annual dues will be $2, with a $2 initiation fee.

 

June 23, 1911

Henry Rupf has opened his ice cream parlors, just north of his market, for the season. He has secured the sole agency for Newtown for DeKlyn’s well known ice cream and invites the public to call and try it. Mr Rupf will supply church gatherings, weddings, anniversaries, etc, with ice cream at reasonable prices.

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After every little storm a fine little lake collects in front of the Naramore and Banks’ residences as the result of the work of MacDonald’s engineers and the contractor. Borough Warden Peck wrote to Mr MacDonald about it, but the gentleman who holds down the state highway job continues to ignore the letter. As a matter of common courtesy, Mr MacDonald should answer the borough warden’s letter.

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Grand Juror Harry Madigan, employed by W.A. Canfield, the painter, was the victim of a serious accident. While at work on the house of Henry Hunt, a rope holding the staging broke, letting him down 25 or 30 feet. Three ribs were broken, both ankles were badly sprained and he suffered bruises on his body.

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The amount of taxes taken in by Collector J.F. Houlihan during the month of May was $18,170.17. This is probably the largest amount ever collected in one month in this town. On the balance uncollected, interest at 9 percent will be collected so it would be economy for those still in arrear to come forward. Personal taxes collected for the same month amounted to $284. It would look as if a number of our worthy citizens would prefer to pay several dollars costs, or go to Bridgeport to see how the new sheriff conducts his boarding house.