***

Growth in Newtown, a largely residential town at the northeastern edge of Fairfield County, is evolving slowly but steadily at a pace that will continue into the 21st century, despite economic pressures from the southern end of Fairfield County. So said Planning and Zoning commissioners when interviewed this week about the kind and degree of growth Newtown seeks and will support. Above all, they agreed that the 1981 plan of development is being followed, thereby preserving the character of town as Newtowners know it and expect it to be for the next 20 years, that is, not too different than it is today.

***

The Board of Selectmen is asking the Legislative Council to set aside $150,000 from the state surplus system towards the day when selectmen expect Newtown will purchase computers and software for a consolidated system for the town. Presently, different types of computers are used within the various offices of Edmond Town Hall and Town Hall South, and the school system has a separate computer system.

***

A number of residents plan a clean up drive on Saturday, September 20, which they have dubbed Project CLEAN (Community Leaders Ensuring an Attractive Newtown). The group will concentrate its efforts on picking up papers, cans, and bottles along roadsides. Rep Schmidle said an official from the state Department of Transportation will help her clean graffiti off bridges and overpasses.

September 15, 1961

A letter on the opening of Interstate 84 was received on Monday by Harry F. Greenman, chairman of the Newtown Traffic Commission, from State Highway Commissioner Howard S. Ives. The Commissioner corrects the statement made in his previous letter of September 6, in which he said, “Any opening of this section for the fall of 1962 is still problematical.” Commissioner Ives states, with apologies, that the statement in his first letter should have indicated the fall of 1961. Mr Ives gives no definite information except to say that “the highway will be opened at the earliest possible date.”

***

The Huntingtown General Store on Huntingtown Road has now opened under the new management of Stephen and Susan Angelovich, who moved to Newtown this month, with their three daughters. The store, which has been in operation at the same location for the past 33 years, will be open from 7:45 am to 8 pm, from Monday through Saturday, and from 10 am to 1 pm on Sunday.

***

The Chamber of Commerce of Newtown has received many telephone calls of late complaining about the number of vendors and peddlers soliciting from door to door in our town. Newtown has an ordinance stating that all vendors, hawkers, and peddlers must receive a license from the Board of Selectmen. Any resident seeking relief from this type of soliciting can call the town hall and it will be taken care of immediately.

***

The Rev Robert B.L. Singer, Jr, new associate minister of the Newtown Congregational Church, will preach his first sermon here at the 9:30 and 11 am services this Sunday, September 10. The Rev Mr Singer arrived in Newtown on Wednesday and has taken up residence in the associate minister’s cottage in the rear of the church house.

 

September 11, 1936

As The Bee goes to press, white lines are being painted on the center of the highway between Newtown and Sandy Hook. These lines have been needed for some time and will surely serve a useful purpose.

***

The new dramatic air thriller produced by First National Pictures, “China Clipper” opens at the Edmond Town Hall Theater, this Friday, with an all star cast including Pat O’Brien, Beverly Roberts, Ross Alexander, Humphrey Bogart, Marie Wilson, and Henry B. Walthill. The screenplay by Commander Frank Wead deals with the men of unbounded enthusiasm and courage who were pioneers in establishing transoceanic airlines and the flights of dare-devil pilots who risked their lives in battles with fog and storm to nose their ships into foreign lands.

***

As there was no quorum present at the Annual Board of Finance meeting to consider the budget for the town at the Edmond Town hall on Tuesday evening, the meeting was adjourned to this Thursday evening, September 10, at 7:30, at the same time and place. This is a public meeting and anyone interested may appear and be heard.

***

Newtown had the distinction of being one of the towns to enter a good-will float in the Centennial parade held on Labor Day in Bridgeport. The float was prepared by a committee of the Chamber of Commerce which sponsored it. It depicted the purchase of Newtown from the Indians in 1705, by men from Stratford.

 

September 15, 1911

P.E. Abbott had one of the large elm trees in front of his home on Newtown Street cut down, last week, as it was unsafe to let it stand any longer. G.A. Northrop and men cut it down in an expeditious manner.

***

W.F. Hale, the new proprietor of the Newtown Inn with Mrs Hale, was in town, Tuesday and Wednesday. They will arrive about October 1 to take possession of the hotel. All who have met with Mr Hale are pleased with his gentlemanly qualities and it will be his aim to give the town a hotel service for which they can be proud. The hotel is to be open all winter, and during the winter months, Mr Hale advertises to accommodate boarders at reduced prices.

***

Joseph Quackenbush returned, Saturday, after a week passed at the Gettysburg battle field. He made the trip with the survivors of the 124th New York regiment. He greatly enjoyed the walk over the battlefield in the company with his comrades.

***

Now that the railroad improvements at the Newtown station are nearing completion the public are beginning to see how complete and fine the arrangements are working out. The roadway under the arch is completed, has been coated with cracked rock, and is one for the finest pieces of road in town. About 700 feet of concrete walk have been laid down, extending from a point east of the arch to the blacksmith shop of C.H. Bassett. The new track from the Houlihan place north was used for the first time, Monday, the 5:58 can train being the first to cross over it.