First Selectman Frank DeLucia, who lost out Tuesday night at the Republican caucus by 17 votes in his bid to get GOP endorsement for another term in office, will challenge the caucus victor Philip J. Kopp in a primary.

***

The hour was late by the time the main Republican caucus ended on Tuesday evening, and still there was much work to be done – the voting on candidates for the new 18-person legislative council.

***

Atty Robert Hall and Harry Greenman, chairman of the Boggs Hill Elementary School Building Committee, have notified The Bee that the signing of the contract between the town and W.J. Megin Inc., 1247 New Haven Road, Naugatuck, for the construction of the new school will take place as The Bee goes to press. W.J. Megin Inc. was the low bidder out of 21 general contractors bidding on the school project, and the signing was scheduled to take place Thursday in the Mary Hawley Room of Edmond Town Hall at 4:30 pm.

***

As a result of a shooting which took place shortly after noon Thursday, July 31, on the spot police reports indicate that three people are dead. The shooting took place in Sandy Hook Center. Details were sketchy as The Bee went to press, and the identities of the victims were unavailable according to preliminary reports. The police were on the scene at the site of the shootings, in and around the Village Café on Church Hill Road. It was not immediately known if the police have any suspects.

***

Newtown highway department union members are waiting to see when the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration will schedule hearings on three grievance matters which have been brought to the board for resolution. The grievances involved recent suspensions without pay of three employees by the highway superintendent, Edward Napier. Union president John Butler is one of the men involved; the others are Bob Pratt and Skip Hamilton. The union members were dissatisfied with First Selectman Frank DeLucia’s review of the matters, though it didn’t surprise the employees. As Mr Butler put it, “Sure, he’s going to agree with Napier.”

***

At a short special meeting on July 24, the Democratic Town Committee completed its slate of recommendations for candidates in the November elections. The previous week, the town committee had recommended 18 candidates from three districts for the upcoming legislative council, besides recommending former DTC chairman Jack Rosenthal as candidate for first selectman. As a running mate for Mr Rosenthal, Zita McMahon was recommended by the town committee for the Board of Selectmen.

***

Newtown Housing for the Elderly Inc. this week filed its application for a special exception to be granted by the Planning & Zoning Commission to enable construction of a 40-unit apartment complex and community building on its 20 acres of land off Nunnawauk Road. The commission will set a hearing for the proposal, possibly at its meeting this Friday.

AUGUST 4, 1950

The third annual picnic of the Newtown Chapter, United World Federalists, was held at the home of Mrs Bradley Randall on West Street on Tuesday evening, August 1. Following supper on the lawn, an informal meeting was held at which the principal speaker was Howard Huntington, UWF chairman of the Fourth Congressional District of Connecticut. Mr Huntington spoke of the widespread misunderstanding of the UWF policy toward the United Nations. He made it clear that UWF supports the UN and wishes to help stengthen it into a World Federation open to all nations with defined and limited powers adequate to preserve peace and prevent aggression, through the enactment, interpretation, and enforcement of world law.

***

Last Saturday Arthur T. Nettleton, president and treasurer of the Newtown Savings Bank, observed his 88th birthday in the Danbury Hospital where he has been a medical patient since May 15. Newtown associates and friends called to extend felicitations, and Mr Nettleton received over 100 cards and messages, in addition to flowers and birthday cakes.

***

Otto Heise of the Heise Bourbon Tube Company, Inc., of Palestine District is building an addition on the east side of his factory which is located in that district next to his residence on Brook Road.

***

A variety of demonstrations, movies, exhibits, workshops, and talks will make up the homemakers’ program for Farm and Home Week being held at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, August 7 to 9. Building materials and fixtures will draw the spotlight in the agricultural engineering exhibits, and two of Connecticut’s agricultural leaders will be honored on Wednesday evening, August 9, when A. Ward Spaulding of Suffield, and Julian B. Thayer of Middlefield will be presented certificates in recognition of their contributions to the state’s rural life. Outstanding speakers will be featured each day on the general program.

***

In the game between the Plastic Molders and the Waysides played on the Fairfield State Hospital grounds last Sunday afternoon, Edward V. Walsh of the Molders sustained a fracture of his knee cap. Attended by Dr Waldo F. Desmond and with the injured leg placed in a plaster cap, he is now resting comfortably at his home on South Main Street.

***

In spite of a heavy rainstorm, Mirah Chapter, O.E.S., held its regular monthly card party last Friday night at Masonic Temple, Sandy Hook. Mrs Fred Mayer, chairman in charge, has expressed her thanks to those who came and helped to make the party a success.

***

Pending release of the national plan for civilian defense which is expected by September 1, the state of Connecticut and local communities throughout the state are organizing for action on the possibility of the spreading of the trouble in Korea. Work was started on a statewide basis early in July when Police Commissioner Edward J. Hickey, state coordinator of Civilian Defense and Emergency Planning Service, requested all police and fire chiefs and coordinators to institute recruiting and training courses for all units that will be needed in an emergency. In the local area, Lt Jesse F. Foley, commanding officer of the Ridgfield Barracks, has issued a call and is now receiving applications to join the Auxiliary State Police. In Newtown, Comdr Warner W. Bayley, appointed Newtown coordinator in the fall of 1949 by the then First Selectman, William W. Holcombe, has called a meeting of former members of Newtown’s World War II War Council and the heads of its war activities program at Edmond Town Hall for this Friday at 8 pm to discuss ways and means for carrying out Chief Hickey’s instruction. Later on a rally will be held to acquaint Newtown citizens with their responsibilities and what will be expected of them in the projected plan for defense of their lives and property. Until the national pattern develops, Chief Hickey is asking all communities to inaugurate the defense activities that were prescribed at the beginning of World War II. These include airplane spotting, air raid warning, auxiliary transportation, auxiliary fire fighting facilities, auxiliary ambulance service, and evacuation control.

 

JULY 31, 1925

C.F. Conger picked up a box turtle in the field the other day which had the name of Charles L. Briscoe, 1851, carved on its shell. Mr Conger cut the name of C.L. Briscoe out deeper and let the turtle go again. C.L. Briscoe was the father of former Selectman E.D. Briscoe.

***

The Walnut Tree Hill Special made its daily run all last week. It is expected new cars will be added on the coming week.

***

The sheep roast held upon the grounds of Thomas F. Bradley, Sunday, was well attended by Newtown people and groups from Danbury, Bridgeport, Ansonia, Bethel, Brookfield, and other places in the county, besides several from New York City and New Jersey. William D. Parker was in charge of the affair, and Sen O’Connell of Bridgeport presided over the roast.

 

AUGUST 3, 1900

Master John Houlihan, son of ex-Senator Houlihan, is the latest addition to the ranks of the bicyclists.

***

An interesting game of ball took place at the Fairgrounds last Saturday, between the St Joseph’s of Bridgeport and our local boys, the last named winning out by a score of 9 to 4. The game passed off nicely owing to the good work of umpire J. Kelly.

***

Everybody took a half holiday in this village yesterday afternoon and turned out to witness the cornerstone laying of the new public library which is being erected on one of the principle sites on Newtown Street.