Robert H. Hall, Legislative Council member from the 2nd District, got his chance to present his arguments Wednesday to his fellow councilmen on why the matter of an exchange of four acres of landfill property for two parcels of land owned by the president of Loma Sand & Gravel should not proceed to a town meeting until a number of questions he’s posed are answered. After a lengthy argument with heavy political overtones, the council voted 10-4 against Mr Hall’s motion to rescind its August 18 recommendation to a town meeting that the exchange be made.

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The continuing arguments over whether the men on the police force who are out sick or injured should be required to submit doctors’ reports to the Board of Police Commissioners rose to a pitch on Monday evening as commissioners and Sgt Ray Tompkins, president of the department’s local union, exchanged angry words. At one point, Commission Chairman Harvey Wachsman went so far as to make a motion that Sgt Tompkins be suspended from the force if he continued to debate the issue that evening with the commissioners. It was a motion which was received with surprise by those present and not seconded, therefore not carried out.

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The chairman and vice chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission gave vent to their dissatisfaction with the Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision last week to rescind the cease and desist order placed in May on Julie Allen Bridals. And both Zoning Enforcement Officer Boyd Hanauer and Town Counsel Paul Pollock still maintained their beliefs that Mrs Allen’s bridal gown shop is a retail operation in a residential zone, and is in violation of the Newtown zoning regulations. But by a four-to-one vote the commission decided it would not appeal the ZBA action in court, and Mr Hanauer said he too would let the matter drop.

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An upcoming study of pollution problems in Newtown will also include an examination of Southbury and Woodbury, Department of Environmental Protection sanitary engineer Robert Smith told the assembled selectmen from the three towns at a meeting in Southbury September 9. Whether or not Newtown, Southbury, and Woodbury choose to cooperate in the state ordered study, a regional approach to pollution abatement must be considered to conform with guidelines set down by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the source of most of the $100,000 needed for the one-year study. If the three towns agree to jointly sponsor the study, 100 percent funding will be available from state and federal sources. If Newtown has to go it alone, only 90 percent funding will be available, leaving Newtown with a $10,000 bill.

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The Newtown Mighty Mites were scheduled to open their season on Saturday, September 11, with a home game against Redding. Because Redding has not fielded a team in the league, the Newtown club held an intra-squad game. The teams were divided into a gold team coached by Mighty Mites Head Coach Rich Medve with coaches Brian Dean and Bill Flood and the blue team coached by Jack Leitner, Jim Smith, and Jim Root.

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Fire which originated in the electrical room below the cafeteria of the Middle School caused heavy smoke damage to parts of the building on Saturday afternoon, August 18. The call, via the alarm system at the school, came in at 3:30 pm, and within five minutes of being on the scene firefighters had the blaze under control. However, it took them another two hours to clean up and clear the building of smoke. According to Newtown Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 chief Kenneth Pelletier, there was heavy smoke damage to the electrical room, the cafeteria, and the kitchen. The upper floors of the wing in which the fire was also received some smoke damage. The exact cause of the blaze is still unknown and being investigated by Fire Marshal James Cavanaugh.

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Plans are progressing to plant a Heritage Garden and Arboretum at Dickinson Park. Thirteen native trees to represent the 13 original colonies will be planted in the new picnic area.

SEPTEMBER 21, 1951

A special town meeting, called by petition presented to the Board of Selectmen, will be held at the Edmond Town Hall this Friday evening, September 21, at 8 o’clock. The purpose of the meeting is to consider and act upon a proposal to amend the ordinance adopted at the special town meeting of January 6, 1949, which required the filing of a written notice with the Board of Assessors for new building construction or structural changes when the estimated cost exceeds $500. The proposed change would reduce that amount to $100, making it necessary to file a written notice with the Board of Assessors for all construction work involving a cost of more than $100.

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Chief John Qubick of the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 has announced a fire drill for this coming Sunday morning, September 23, at 9:30 am. All members of the company are requested to be on hand at the Newtown Fire House at that time.

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Cpl John V. Pendergast, Jr, son of Mr and Mrs John V. Pendergast of Walnut Tree Hill, who flew to England with his outfit June 5, returned to the United States early this month, and has been home on a seven-day leave.

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Charles Ferris, with his pair of Durham Oxen, won first place in the ox-drawing contest at the Terryville Fair this past weekend, competing in the under 3,000 pound class. This is Mr Ferris’ third straight win this fall in this weight class, having also taken top honors at the Goshen and Bethlehem Fairs.

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Hawley School Notes: Seniors elected their officers this week and they are as follows: president, Florence Nugent; vice president, Marion Drew; secretary, Claire Jandreau; treasurer, Nancy Oberstadt; and reporter, Carolyn Paulis. The Senior Class has voted to send birthday greetings to Fred Pendergast, a former classmate.

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Brownie Troop 14, under the leadership of Mrs Carter Hayward and Mrs William Swanberg, will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, October 3.

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A total of 136 new voters have been made in Newtown so far this year, according to figures released this week by Town Clerk May E. Sullivan, contrasting with 282 who were added to the town’s voting list last year at the same stage before election.

SEPTEMBER 17, 1926

At a meeting held at Beach Memorial Library recently a temporary organization was effected and a number of committees appointed to take up the matter of a war memorial.

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The peach season is now on with a rush at the Curtis orchards, and Newton Curtis and helpers will be busy harvesting the crop for the next ten days.

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The last of the school dental clinics was held in the Hawleyville schoolhouse Tuesday afternoon. Each district in town has been visited during the summer vacation and the opportunity given to all the parents to make use of it.

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Miss Kate B. Reynolds and Miss Mary Lamport entertained at a whist held at the Newtown Country Club last Monday evening. The high scores for the evening were made by Mrs Fannie May Edwards and Mrs Charles A. Peale for the ladies and for the gentlemen C. Herbert Beers and L.C. Morris.

SEPTEMBER 20, 1901

School opened last week in Gray’s Plain district with a Miss Martin from Massachusetts as teacher. Miss Martin is boarding with Mrs Ferris.

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Miss Jennie F. Beers returned to Natick, Mass., Tuesday, to take up her school work for the year.

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George R. Wilson is conducting a prayer meeting service on Sunday evenings at the school house in Taunton district.

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Some of Newtown’s weathy residents went to Bridgeport on Monday, expecting to take a flyer in stocks, thinking it would be bargain day in the stock market. But they returned home very much chagrined with the way things opened up in Wall Street, which was from one to four points higher than on Friday last.

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The Newtown Academy opened, Monday, with 25 pupils enrolled, and this number will be increased to about 30. William W. Gardner, the efficient and popular principal of last year, is in charge, and he has secured Miss Jessie Taylor as his assistant.