***

With the apparent backing of about 50 concerned residents, a handful of citizens spoke at a November 6 public hearing in opposition to a zoning amendment that would permit a proposed horse farm to operate on Poverty Hollow Road. Opponents said the altered regulation — particularly the phrase concerning the training of owners or riders — would invite similar commercial ventures into the area and cause an influx of traffic as well.

***

The Board of Education voted November 10 to hire a part-time special education teacher for Newtown High School. Robert Chiappetta, director of pupil personnel services told the school board that 132 students had enrolled in one or more special education classes, compared to 103 students in 1985. In addition, he said that of the 17 new referrals his department had received at the beginning of the school year, 15 would probably require special education.

***

Less than a year after being formed, the Newtown Lacrosse Club is growing in popularity. The club was organized last winter by Bob Stampp, whose son, Scott, had played the sport on Long Island, before they moved to Newtown in August 1985. When Stampp discovered that Newtown didn’t have a team, he set out to organize a program. During the spring, 30 high school boys played on a club team that had three scrimmage games.

November 17, 1961

Interstate Route 84, the relocation of the present US Route 6 through Newtown, Bethel, Danbury and to Brewster, N.Y. will be opened on Saturday, December 16. It is planned to invite Governors Dempsey and Rockefeller to the opening ceremonies, along with Senators Bush and Dodd.

***

Led by the color guard of the Charles Howard Peck Sr and Jr Post and Auxiliary, VRW, and to the spirited music of the Sandy Hook Fife and Drum, and Bugle Corps of Bethel, Newtown’s Veterans Day parade last Saturday morning was a moving opening to the day’s ceremonies held at the Edmond Town Hall. After passing in review in front of Edmond Town Hall, the parade disbanded in the town hall parking lot, and the marchers joined over 500 townspeople in front of the building.

***

An automatic fire alarm system directly connecting all schools to the town switchboard has been installed and put into full time effect. When the fire alarm is activated in any school in town, either by automatic sensing unit or manually, a light flashes at the emergency switchboard, notifying the operator that there is trouble.

***

Members and friends of the Newtown Congregational Church are invited to attend the unveiling of a portrait of the Rev Paul A. Cullens on Sunday, November 26. Henry Schnakenberg of Taunton Hill Road, distinguished artist, painted the picture which will hang permanently in the parlor of the church house.

November 13, 1936

Members of the Young People’s Club consider themselves very fortunate in being able to secure the now famous De Molay orchestra of Waterbury, for their fall dance. This orchestra has become so much in demand that it is increasingly difficult to secure it. The price of the dance is only fifty cents, and the public is not only invited, but urged to come.

***

Principal Carl Le Grow and the teachers at Hawley School were pleased with the attendance of about 35 parents and friend at the Visiting Day held on Tuesday. The guest visited the various classrooms where special programs were given in observance of Armistice Day and American Education Week.

***

With the season here when falling leaves are piling up along the state roads, Highway Commissioner John A. Macdonald has made two requests to the public of Connecticut with respect to the problem of destroying these leaves. These were first, that property owners in burning leaves do not burn them on or near highway pavements; and second, that bonfires not be left unattended.

***

Vincent P. Gaffney, agricultural instructor at Hawley School will take a group of seven or eight boys belonging to the organization Future Farmers of America, to the second Poultry Industries Exhibition on Saturday, in the Port Authority building, in New York City. The boys are attending through the courtesy of Curtis Morgan of Homestead Farms in Dodgingtown, who has supplied the tickets. Mr Morgan has an exhibit at the show.

 

November 17, 1911

County Health Officer George E. Hill has issued notices to the New York and New Haven railroad and to the houses draining on the highway near the station that they must cease discharging their sewers and drains on the highway on or before December 1. As the railroad people made so fine and thorough a job about the Newtown station, people are wondering why they did not make provision for caring for this drainage.

***

The High school will be closed on Friday, the 17th, in order that the teachers may visit other schools. Miss Troy will visit schools in Danbury. Miss Curtis will visit in Stratford, Mr Johnson in Massachusetts and Mr Carpenter in Branford.

***

Dr Kiernan was called to Hawleyville Sunday night to minister to a tramp, James Adams, who appeared demented and starving. He was taken to the Danbury hospital. Adams was found beside the Shepaug railroad track, overcome by the intense cold.

***

Fred Wildman fell out of a freight car at Botsford, Tuesday. He was picked up in an unconscious condition and carried to his home. He has a broken wrist and a bad scalp wound. Dr Kiernan is attending him.