The Legislative Council has gone on record in opposition to a number of the Charter Revision Commission’s proposed town charter changes, including the recommendation that the council’s size be reduced from 18 to 15 members. At its meeting July 15, the council also opposed the commission’s recommendations for giving the first selectman a tie-breaking vote on the council and for allowing the first selectman to transfer $10,000 within a department without needing council approval.

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The Board of Education decided to lighten up their rather strong stance against smoking by staff members while they are in school buildings. At the workshop July 7, they looked with favor on a recommendation by John Reed, superintendent of schools, to designate a smoking area for staff members of the school system only for one more year. But July 14, Herb Rosenthal, who last week had been most outspoken against smoking in the schools after next year, changed his position. “I don’t think we should close our minds,” Mr Rosenthal said. He said the board should make it clear that smoking will not be “terminated” at the end of one year, but “be willing to look at it.”

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Work on the Sandy Hook School roof began in earnest last week as materials for the $180,000 project were set in position. The project to replace the school’s entire roof won the school board’s nod over a $70,000 offer by Barrett Roofing and Supply Inc to repair leaks in the roof. The town has filed a lawsuit against Barrett for $15,000 in damages after the flat-style roof on the elementary school began leaking. The roof was installed five years ago.

July 20, 1962

The civic organizations of the town, under the chairmanship of Stanley Verry, are planning “Newtown Progress Days” for Labor Day Week End. One purpose is to provide local entertainment and business opportunities and keep people at home and off the busy highways. On Labor Day, plans are being made to have a huge parade, starting on Main Street and ending at Dickinson Memorial Park. The afternoon events will be at the town park in the form of field day events.

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A picnic in honor of the Herald Tribune Fresh Air children was held by the Newtown Jaycee Wives on Tuesday afternoon in the Dickinson Memorial Park. Seven children, out of ten that arrived for the first two-weeks’ visit, attended in company with the children of their host family. One child of the group has returned to New York City because of homesickness.

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The League of Women Voters of Newtown has announced that it is adding a new service for Newtown voters. Beginning in the fall of 1962, the League will make available to local organizations speakers on two topics, which its members have recently studied. The first topic concerns the benefits of the Uniform Fiscal Year in Newtown. The second topic will definitely be on the ballot in November. This concerns the five Constitutional Amendments pertaining to changes in State Elections.

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Garrett Becker, coordinating officer of Newtown’s Civil Defense, has announced that a radio communications course will be started on July 24 for boys and girls and men and women over 16 years of age. Men and boys over the age of 18, interested in forming a rescue squad and obtaining training, may call Mr Becker. The Newtown CD is expected to have its own rescue truck in full service in late fall.

July 16, 1937

Constable William E. Blake apprehended a trio of boys who escaped from the Wassaic School for Boys at Wassaic, N.Y., on Friday, and on Saturday a fourth boy was found. Mr Blake received a tip that some young men were acting in a suspicious manner at the former Houlihan Crossing about a mile north of Newtown station. Upon investigating, he found that the boys were armed with rifles and considerable ammunition. These boys had escaped from the institution on July 4th and confessed that they had broken into several homes in the vicinity of Newtown.

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The new house for Dr Rowena Keith Keyes is now under construction and is to be ready for occupancy in the near future. Willis M. Mills of New York is the architect and Vincent T. Sullivan the general contractor. It will be occupied as a summer residence for the present and eventually as a permanent home. The house is fully equipped with all modern appointments, including air-conditioning. The property, Sunset Hill, was purchased from A. Edith and Ida Jones of Bridgeport.

Several weeks ago the Governors’ Street and Highway Safety Committee and Commissioner Michael A. Connor of the State Department of Motor Vehicles called attention of motorists to the number of complaints being received concerning one-light cars. Consequently, motorists were requested to signal approaching cars with only one light by sounding three short blasts on the horn. This plan is successful and has been adopted by many motorists. Signal cars with only one light and if you receive such a signal from an approaching car, have the fault corrected at once.

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At a special meeting of Trinity Parish, last week, Thursday evening, it was voted to install an oil burner in the Rectory heating plant. A committee of six has been named to take up the matter of financing the project. It is anticipated with a new oil burner the rector and his family will be made comfortable when next winter’s cold weather comes.

July 19, 1912

A popular Newtown young lady, who paid a visit to friends in Sugar Street, recently, when milking time came, seized a milk pail and milked three cows while the farmer was milking two. She is certainly resourceful and practical, and has won the admiration of all who heard of her exploit.

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Work is progressing nicely on the State road south from the Newtown line of the Bridgeport turnpike and the people along the line are much pleased that they are soon to have a fine road. The B.D. Pierce Co. of Bridgeport has the contract for building the road to Stepney Village.

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Perhaps Miss Agnes Murray of New York City was not a proud young lady when she came dragging a great big fish from Taunton Lake up to the Davis homestead. Miss Murray had been angling in the lake for some time and at last caught the monster. Perhaps she did not have the laugh on the rest of the boarders who had been out on the lake and caught nothing. Miss Murray invited the scribe over to have a slice of the fish but pressing engagements made this impossible, or he would have enjoyed it. The species of fish caught by Miss Murray was a large carp.

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A.W. Bassett had a slight accident in Zoar, with his auto, Tuesday night. At the frog pond near George Robson’s, at the short turn, he met two teams and crashed into the rear wheels of the wagon of Edward Peeso, which contained Mr and Mrs Peeso and young girl. They were thrown out but fortunately escaped injury.