October 22, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Donald MacKenzie.

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A group of five local builders has filed a lawsuit against the Conservation Commission, seeking to overturn revised wetlands regulations recently approved by the commission, which expand the areas near wetlands where construction is regulated as an environmental protection measure. … On October 22, the Conservation Commission adopted certain revisions to its wetlands and watercourses regulations. The builders allege that the changes made are excessive and unnecessary and should be rescinded by a judge in Danbury Superior Court. The plaintiffs own land within a radius of 90 feet of wetlands and watercourses and are thus affected and aggrieved by the new, more restrictive rules, according to the lawsuit.

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The Board of Selectmen Monday voted in favor of selling five town-owned houses along a strip of land on Queen Street. One house will be sold “as is” to the Housatonic Habitat for Humanity for $20,000, while the rest will be auctioned off in the hopes that the town can turn a profit. The issue now goes to the Legislative Council, which has the final say on the disposition of any town-owned land. A town meeting would have to be held before any of the homes are sold. The town recently took over ownership from the state of several small tracts of land and a handful of houses along Queen Street. It purchased the land from the state for $1.25 million.

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A portion of the front entrance of the Police Department collapsed Wednesday morning, sending town officials hurrying to the scene. No one was injured and the area is expected to be shored up by the end of the week. According to Public Works Director Fred Hurley, a large concrete footing fell as workers dug curtain drains along the foundation of the building. The project is being done in the hopes that the drains will divert groundwater away from the basement.

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Over the last decade, the United States has redefined the military’s involvement in world affairs. Fighting and winning wars, once widely accepted as the sole purpose of military action, today shares priority with humanitarian relief and peace-keeping missions. Naval amphibious forces play a key role. Marine units deploying from Navy ships can transport food and medicine to refugees. An amphibious force can also assist peacekeeping efforts. Newtown’s Dustin T. Randall plays an important part in amphibious warfare missions. Seaman Apprentice Randall, the 19-year-old son of Raymond and Lori Randall of Newtown, works at Beachmaster Unit One (BMU-1) in Sandy Diego.

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Janet Hovious says she felt like a million dollars when she and her husband Joe crossed the finish line of the 10th annual Boston Marathon-Jimmy Fund walk last Sunday. “It was the most rewarding and inspirational thing I’ve ever done,” the Newtown resident said.

October 18, 1974

The Newtown Jaycees held a candidates forum on Wednesday night, with the candidates for state representative from the 106th Assembly District of Newtown and part of Redding. Present were incumbent Republican Sarah Frances Curtis and her challengers, Democraft John Anderson and Joseph Seeley of the George Wallace Party. Candidates received ten minutes apiece to speak, then fielded questions from the audience.

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Percy Ferris of Newtown had quite a time for himself and his team of oxen at the Danbury Fair this year. On Saturday, his team placed first when it drew a load of 8,025 pounds 60 inches. To keep things in the family, his brother David, of Woodbury, and his team came in second by drawing the same load 38 inches. The oxen of Percy Ferris also did well in the free-for-all event on Sunday, when the team took a third with a 6,505 pound load pulled six feet.

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The First Selectman and Town negotiator Joseph Bogdan met on Thursday evening, October 10, with the officers and men of Newtown’s public works department union, and their negotiator Damon Shingleton. Primary purpose of the meeting was to see if there were areas of agreement the two sides could reach in the negotiations to set up the first-ever contract with the union, before going to fact-finding. From comments of the participants afterwards, it appears very little progress actually took place. According to union president John Butler, his side is now waiting for a date to be set for the fact finding process.

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The Newtown Lions Club listened to a talk given by their district governor on “Lionism and What It Means to Me” at the October 9 meeting in the Alpenhof Restaurant. The district governor, Rocco Cingari, told the Lions in attendance, “we joined the club because we wanted to be involved in doing the things needed to help people less fortunate than ourselves. We joined because as individuals we could never do all of the good that could be done by a group.” … The balance of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the 1974-1975 budget and how to be raise funds to meet it. President Christian Berleur urged each member to support the various endeavors and club objectives and specifically requested each member to participate in the first fundraiser which is a tag sale at the Middle School, Saturday, October 12, from 9 am-3 pm.

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Airman Thomas H. Mohr, son of Harland H. Mohr, Sandy Hook, has been assigned to Indian Head, Md., after completing Air Force basic training. During his six weeks at Lackland AFB, Texas, he studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs, and received special instruction in human relations. Airman Mohr will now receive specialized training as a munitions disposal specialist. He graduated earlier this year from Newtown High School.

October 14, 1949

It was Ferris day at Danbury Fair last Wednesday when three Ferrises of Newtown took first, second and third prizes in a trained-steer contest. William Ferris, Jr., son of Mr and Mrs William Ferris of Sugar street and a 10th grade student at Hawley High school, with his pair of trained Durham oxen, brought down four prizes: first for Durhams in the oxen show, best pair of three-year-old Durhams; grand champions of all breeds, three-year-olds; first prize, trained Durham steers, and fourth prize, ox pulling contest, drawing 5,200 pounds. William’s brother, Percy, also won a blue ribbon first prize for exhibiting the best pair of Devon calves in the cattle show, first prize for the best pair of training Devon steers, and a first prize for Devons for show. The boys’ cousin, Charles Ferris, III, also of Sugar street, took a third place for trained steers.

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Mr and Mrs Wallace W. Delaney, who have become well known in Newtown through their many years of summer residence here, moved into their new home on Meadow road last Friday, fulfilling a dream of many years duration. They moved permanently to this vicinity from Ashland, Ohio, last January, and have been living temporarily in Bethel. Mr Delaney is US government appointed trustee of the Norwalk Tire and Rubber Company. The house was built for them by Arthur McCollam of Glover avenue.

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There was a larger than usual attendance at the Sandy Hook Fife and Drum Corps dance held in Edmond Town Hall gymnasium last Saturday night, following announcement that the dance would be a benefit affair to increase Newtown’s contribution to the present Emergency Polio Fund. Virginia Laborde, former resident of Sandy Hook and an erstwhile polio patient, was a guest for the occasion, accompanied by her father, Justin Laborde, and several visitors from Bethany. During an intermission, Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh, as county chairman for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, was presented with a purse of $50, proceeds from the dance.

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In the report made public at the conclusion of the annual fund campaign by the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association, a total of $2,246 was announced. Miss Katherine Kirby, campaign chairman, is now able to report an addition to that amount. Thanks to the special gifts committee, headed by Dr Earl P. Lasher, last-minute donations have increased the total to $2,380, an all-time high.

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Mrs Arthur J. Gammack called on friends in Newtown on Wednesday, after having lunch at the Hawley Manor.

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Mr and Mrs George Tower returned on Saturday from a motor trip which took them to Burlington, Vt., where they participated in the eighteenth birthday celebration of their granddaughter, Elsie Graves, on October 5th. From there they motored to Thirteenth Lake in the Adirondacks, where they enjoyed the fall weather and unusually fine fall foliage.

October 10, 1924

The fair given by the Agricultural class and Farm Bureau, October 1 [at The Hawley High school], was very well attended. About 400 pupils and parents enjoyed the various exhibits. After the winners of the athletic events were decided, the cakes which were on display were auctioned to the highest bidder, the proceeds being turned into the high school athletic fund.

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Mr and Mrs F.B. Hubbell of Westport were in town, Monday, the guests of H. Carleton Hubbell.

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Mr and Mrs Alfred H. Hubbard and Mrs Burr of Higganum were guests over the week end of Mr and Mrs George Curtis Morgan.

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W.J. Hunt of Bethlehem tells the editor of The Bee he read F.H. Johnston’s article on Gettysburg with deep interest. Mr Hunt’s father, Daniel Hunt, was taken prisoner by the Rebels in the second day fight. Mr Hunt went to Gettysburg, 40 years ago, to look over the battlefield. Mr Hunt wonders if Mr Johnston may not be incorrect in regard to the story he relates concerning Gen Barlow. Mr Hunt says his father told him Gen Barlow fell mortally wounded on the battlefield and the son is under the impression that he saw a monument to Mr Barlow’s memory on the Gettysburg battlefield.

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Mr and Mrs Bernard Kane of Bridgeport were week end guests at the home of Thomas F. Bradley.

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Sweet potatoes, 6 lbs for 25c, Maine potatoes 25c a peck, Campbell’s tomato soup 3 cans for 25c, Camp’s beans 3 cans for 25c, P. & G. Ozone soap 5c a bar, best creamery butter 45c a lb, canned corn, peas and tomatoes.—[At Davey’s. Adv.

October 20, 1899

Arthur S. Hawley of New York was in town on Sunday.

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Rev and Mrs O.W. Barner and son left on Monday, for their annual vacation, which will be passed in New York and Brooklyn.

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Charles G. Peck’s handsome stallion, Quaker Boy, was awarded second premium in the class for stallions at the Danbury fair, Quartermaster winning first honors.

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Miss Ohler of Bethel, the teacher of the Taunton school, is boarding with Mr and Mrs Andrew C. Moore.

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A.W. Fairchild and son of Taunton district have a fine thoroughbred Durham bull, bought of Bert Wildman, who brought the animal from the north with other stock.

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It is a sight good for sore eyes to look into the corn crib on the farm of A.W. Fairchild and son, Arthur D. Fairchild. These thrifty farmers raised about 330 bushels of Pride of the North corn on two acres of land and 220 bushels of the White Cap variety on an acre and a quarter. The Messrs Fairchild prefer the Pride of the North, as the kernels are large and the cob small. This is the first season they raised the latter variety. The best of it is their corn is all husked and in the barn and there will be no cold fingers as the result of working till November. These gentlemen believe in fall plowing and now that the corn is husked and the stover in the barns, they are in a position to attend to it.

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Postmaster Duncombe and daughter, Miss Julia, drove to Bridgeport, with the postmaster’s fine stepper, on Friday last.

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