September 27, 1991

The controversy surrounding the security and notification procedures at the Western Substance Abuse Treatment Unit has spurred action on both levels. The warden at WSATU indicated it was the correctional personnel's fault that the two inmates escaped from the facility Monday, and vowed it would not happen again. As for notification procedures, the warden stated that the Newtown Police Department will be called immediately following an escape.

***

Amending its regulation for housing developments for the elderly, the Planning and Zoning Commission has adopted regulation that provide for congregate living facilities for senior citizens. Under previous regulations for elderly housing, the commission only allowed such developments if they were owned by nonprofit corporations, as is the case with the Newtown Housing for the Elderly's Nunnawauk Meadows complex.

***

The state expects to complete construction of its jail here in November, but doesn't know when the jail will open. Although the jail was supposed to be open by early 1992, it's not scheduled to open anytime before the end of the state's 1991-92 fiscal year, which ends in June 1992. The state budget doesn't allow any money for staffing and equipment.

***

The Legislative Council has killed the proposal that the town buy the 136-acre Gretsch property on Castle Hill Road. Council members voted 12-2 to reject the Board of Selectman's recommendation that the property be purchased for $3 million (with $904,000 of the money coming from the Iroquois gas company). Melissa Pilchard said, "I know, as sure as I am sitting here, that 20 years from now people will say that we should have bought it. But the honest truth is we can't afford it."

September 16, 1966

It gave the editorial author of this column a pleasant sense of satisfaction to be complimented by Raymond B. Fosdick on last week's editorial "Apples for Teacher." Mr Fosdick brought with him to this office a pamphlet containing an article "A Portrait of My Father" that he had written about his father and was published in the Educational Forum of January 1966. We wish that we had the space to reprint the article in this issue; it will appear as time and space permit.

***

The combined Women's Auxiliaries of Newtown's fire companies met recently at the Botsford firehouse to form a committee to work for Newtown servicemen who are in Viet Nam. The committee members are Jannie Kayfus, Harriet Lajoie, Joan Lange, and Dolores Bossuet.

***

At the first rehearsal of the Newtown Choral Society last Monday, it was announced that Director Joseph P Grasso would not be available Monday evenings until after January 1. Mr Grasso is studying for his Master's degree. The group voted to change rehearsals to Tuesday evenings at 7:45 beginning September 20.

***

Earl J Meyers, Jr, who suffered a concussion when he was thrown from his bicycle on August 30, is now out of the intensive care unit at Danbury Hospital and is opening some of the many cards sent by well-wishers, and would like to hear from his friends.

September 12, 1941

Last Sunday afternoon John Leavy's baseball team waited in vain at Pine Grove Park for the Plumtrees Panthers of Bethel to arrive, but never did show up to play their scheduled game. This coming Sunday "John's" men will play the Peach Lake team at Peach Lake in the second encounter of the season between these two aggregations.

***

The committee for the series of square dance parties has been very pleased with the enthusiasm shown toward their Saturday night dances, so much so, that they hope to have them again next summer. Unused series tickets will admit anyone to the extra dance to be held Saturday night at the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium. It is also announced that high school students may still purchase four tickets for a dollar.

***

The flag in the center of town was lowered to half mast last Tuesday, in respect for the Postmaster P.H. McCarthy, and on Wednesday in respect for Rodney P Shepherd, whose funerals were on those days.

***

The food sale held by the PTA on Sunday was the most successful sale it has ever had. More than $80 was made and the PTA is enormously pleased and grateful to the town for this kind of interest and support. Every person who was called on to give something for this sale was so willing and gracious and gave such delicious things that the committee wishes it were possible to thank each person individually.

September 15, 1916

Hiram Hanlon, the thirteen-year-old boy from Newtown who has been at the Danbury hospital for four weeks for treatment for lockjaw, was discharged from the hospital today and returned home cured. This is the second case of tetanus, or lockjaw, to be treated successfully at the hospital this year. The boy had stepped on a rusty nail and tetanus had already developed when he was admitted.

***

Interest appears to be on the increase in the affairs of the Newtown Country Club. A corn roast for club members will be held Thursday evening. On Friday evening Mrs C.H. Peck and Mrs Gibson will be patronesses for a dance.

***

The Dodgingtown Fire Company will hold a lawn party and dance September 22. There will be cake, ice cream, etc on sale. The general admission to the fire house, including dancing, will be 25 cents for gentlemen, and ladies free. Good music. Everybody come and have a good time.

***

In one of the shortest caucuses ever held in Newtown, 12½ minutes actual time, the Democrats nominated their town ticket last Thursday night. J.A. James, the chairman, called the caucus to order and stated the town committee had name Arthur Gallagher as temporary chairman and Oscar Pitschler as temporary clerk. The caucus was largely attended.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.