***

Monday, Morgan Pond was… a pond. By Wednesday, the muddy bottom of the 25-acre body of water had been laid bare. Conservation Director James Benson Thursday issued property owner Don Zemo a cease and desist order for illegally draining the pond. The State of Connecticut on September 23 filed suit against Mr Zemo for failing to obey an order to repair the dam. Mr Zemo claims he is just fulfilling one of two options afforded him when he bought the property from Bridgeport Hydraulic Company in 1983. At that time, the deed included a work order on the pond to replace or remove the dam, a small structure of stone, apparently anchored by two tree stumps. In 1985, Mr Zemo attended a dam safety program and decided to lower the water level so that water did not touch the dam. Then the Water Resources division of the Department of Environmental Protection asked him to improve the condition of the dam embankment. Mr Zemo continued to monitor the water level until after the court notice from the state had been received. He then spent $500 on a backhoe and dug out the dam by himself.

***

Fire and police officials were continuing their investigation this week into the cause of the suspicious fire at the Hi-Way Cleaners in the early morning hours of October 19. Police Det Robert Tvardzik said police had a suspect in a burglary at the cleaners — which apparently happened about an hour before the fire — and that the burglary investigation could lead to a break in the fire investigation.

***

The Newtown High boys’ soccer team scored two convincing shutout victories in the past week to raise its record to 9-2 and remain in second place in the Western Connecticut Conference Briggs Division. The victories also qualified Newtown for the state Class LL tournament. A team must win half its games to make the states, and Newtown, with five games left, is mathematically in.

October 26, 1962

A special meeting of town officials was held Tuesday evening at the Edmond Town Hall to discuss the problems which would face Newtown in the event of a national emergency. It was agreed that Newtown is in readiness and is awaiting instructions for the state level.

***

On Thursday evening, October 18, a committee of Connecticut educators selected by Superintendent of Schools James F. Hinckley met with the Newtown Board of Education to discuss and define the duties and responsibilities of boards of education and superintendents. This meeting had been proposed by Mr Hinckley last June as one of the conditions under which he would withdraw his resignation from the Newtown school system after a series of disagreements with the Board of Education.

***

Thanks to the Newtown Fire Companies and their Auxiliaries, the children of Newtown will have five Halloween parties serving them. All parties will start at 6:30 or 6:45 pm, on Wednesday, October 31, and will end near 8 o’clock. The Newtown Recreation Department is grateful to the Auxiliaries and the firemen for the parties each year.

***

The Newtown High School Indians, who have won seven out of eight of their games so far in this year’s thrilling soccer schedule, face their strongest test this Saturday, October 27, when they meet a very strong Milford Preparatory School team at 2 pm, at the athletic field in back of the Newtown High School. Milford, like Newtown, has lost only one game so far this year, and this promised to be one of the best soccer matches of the season.

 

October 22, 1937

The management of the Midway Grove on the Danbury-Newtown Road has just completed the building of a special closed-in shelter for the shooters who take part in the turkey shoots at the Grove every Sunday afternoon. The room is so arranged that the shooter has especially clear vision and ample room for difficult shots. It is patterned after some of the leading club rooms where shoots are held.

***

Mrs William M. McKenzie has at her home on Queen street a “Praying Mantis.” This insect was discovered by George Hawes in Bridgeport who brought it to Mrs McKenzie, knowing her interest in such matters. The creature is about three inches long, greenish in color, with very long legs, extended neck, and large eyes which give it the characteristic of being the only insect that can look over its shoulder. This particular Mantis is of the Oriental specials and is quite common in the south. They are being introduced into other parts of the country as they are very beneficial destroying large numbers of injurious insects. These insects are reputed to make good pets, Mrs McKenzie being the first in Newtown to acquire one.

***

Announcement is made by William Gower, chief of the Dodgingtown Fire Department, that a Bingo party will be held at the Dodgingtown firehouse on Friday evening, November 5, starting at 8 o’clock. Thirty-five cents will be charged for seven games. There will be another Bingo party at Midway Grove, this Friday evening, for the benefit of the building fund of the Hawleyville Fire Company. Many fine prizes have been obtained and music and a good time are promised for all who attend.

***

Work of draining Taylor Field in the rear of Hawley school, is being done by Contractor Bernard J. Dolan of Bethel. Ditches are being dug with a shovel and tile will be laid for drainage purposes.

 

October 25, 1912

A small house standing near the residence of E.B. Booth and owned by the heirs of William Johnson, was burned Thursday evening about 9 o’clock. Merwin Morgan occupied the house during the past season, but left for New York several weeks ago. All of his furniture was destroyed by the fire. There was no insurance upon house or contents. It is thought the fire was of incendiary origin.

***

Much interest was displayed at the Newtown High School on last Saturday when L.M. Johnson, principal, arranged for an exhibit of what could be produced on the farms about town. He had Prof C.D. Jarvis of the Connecticut College of Storrs give an excellent address. On one side of the building he had a bench containing fine-looking apples, pears, quinces, etc. and on the other side of the building mammoth pumpkins, corn, potatoes, beets, turnips, etc. After the lecture Mr Johnson had Leonard Wright test some milk that was sent in and this was put through the test and was watched by quite a gathering.

***

At the special town meeting on Tuesday afternoon, not more than ten were present. The following resolution was passed: “Voted, that the selectmen be and they are hereby authorized and instructed to borrow money from time to time, upon the credit of the town, sufficient funds for the needs of the town, from the Newtown Savings Bank, not exceeding in amount $15,000, and to make and deliver the note or notes for the town therefore bearing five per cent interest.”

***

F.B. Hastings, general manager of the B.D. Pierce Co and J.A. McElroy, engineer for Fairfield County under Highway Commissioner MacDonald, were in town, Thursday, looking over the state road improvements to Church Hill. The scheme of improvement includes the laying of a 12-inch pipe at the sides of the road to carry the large volume of water that passed down during every storm. Also cobble gutters will be laid down on both sides of the road. p