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By a four to one margin Newtown’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the controversial 14-lot Old Farm Hill resubdivision June 16. The resubdivision, which encompasses a 304-acre tract located between Old Green, Hanover, and Echo Valley roads, has been strongly opposed by a homeowners’ organization from the area, the Hanover Springs Association. Much of the concern has been about water runoff and the ability of the soils and the slopes to handle subsurface sewage disposal.

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Three smiling teachers from the Newtown High School industrial arts department pitched in to move two very heavy pieces of equipment donated by the Newtown Bee to the graphic arts department at the Newtown High. What were they moving? The Compugraphic Videosetter II and the Unified Composer to be used by the graphic arts department at the school. Not only is word processing taught, but the department prints programs, tickets, and just about anything they’re called upon to do in the line of printing.

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Coliform levels at Lakes Lillinonah and Zoar showed low counts as lake authorities released coliform levels this week. “With the coliform counts being as low as they are at the beginning of this recreational season, we are very optimistic that counts will remain on the low side barring unforeseen storms or events,” said Fred Leuthauser, chairman of the Lake Lillinonah Authority.

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A group of volunteers devoted their time and labor on the weekend of June 11 and 12 to construct a fine new addition to the playground of Sandy Hook School. This was a continuation of a project that began more than a year ago. The first installment, a wooden play stack, was constructed last year. The latest addition is a wood and pipe structure with three platforms joined by a walkway with an arched ladder and a wide chute.

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The first coat of paving to be laid down in a roads improvement project involving major access roads in the Pootatuck Park section of Sandy Hook was laid on a sloping section of Far View Drive, June 17. What used to be a steep, rutted section of the road is now broad and paved. The work should be finished within three months.

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Internationally known author-illustrator Steven Kellogg, who resides in Sandy Hook, had a captive audience during his story-telling visit to Head O’ Meadow School. As he told the story of The Island of the Skog, Mr Kellogg quickly illustrated it on two large sketchpads.

 

June 27, 1958

Unispun is the name of an entirely new type of fabric fire hose, which has been in production at the Fabric Fire Hose Company, Glen Road, Sandy Hook, for about three months. This new product has been developed by the company, and is produced on new spinners, built and patented by Fabric Fire Hose. In the process of spinning, in this newly developed method, maximum strength materials are combined at high rotational speeds to produce spun tubular hose.

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The Rev and Mrs Edwin A. Skipton and their two children, David and Andrew, arrived in Newtown on Wednesday. He will assume his duties as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church on July 1. The Rev Mr Skipton made the trip by car from Albuquerque, N.M., where he was Dean of the Cathedral.

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Our advice to everyone is — don’t pack your winter woolies yet. Don’t invest in a new Bikini swimsuit, yet. Don’t turn off your furnace, yet. We’ve got news for you! According to the state climatologist at the US Weather Service, Windsor Locks, Dr A. Boyd Pack, “The cool weather of the past several weeks is expected to continue through mid-July.” He says temperatures may go much below normal.

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“What’s Cooking In Newtown?” the cookbook of favorite recipes of local and area people, will go on sale July 19, at a food sale on St John’s Episcopal Church lawn, Sandy Hook, from 10 am to 2 pm. The cover of the cookbook, a pale cream yellow plastic, was designed by Marni Wood, who also created the artwork inside.

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The Newtown Village Cemetery Association reports that due to vandalism and the use of the grounds of the cemetery as a parking area, the gates of the cemetery will be closed at sunset. Lot holders may obtain access to the grounds at all times through the pedestrian gates.

Mrs Leon Spear, chairman of the Fresh Air Fund drive in Newtown and surrounding communities, reports that calls for 33 children have been received to date. Mrs Spear is extremely pleased with this response as the goal of 25 children has been exceeded. Some families are taking as many as three Fresh Air children in their homes for two weeks.

 

June 23, 1933

The Edmond Town hall theater was well filled, last Thursday evening, at the commencement exercises of the Hawley High School. The exercises were of a high order. The graduating class, the largest class to graduate from the Hawley High School, for the first time wore academic caps and gowns.

* * *

Scouts from Newtown and surrounding towns will assume a prominent part in the monster Boy Scout Jamboree which will be staged by Bridgeport Council in Newfield Park, Bridgeport, Friday, June 30. Troop 70, of the First Congregational church of Newtown, under Rev Paul A. Cullens as Scoutmaster, will participate in the Stage Coach act, the concluding scene in the dream of “Any Boy.” With a real stage coach and outriders, the 25 boys in Troop 70 will journey to Bridgeport to set out this spectacular scene in which cowboys and Indians fight a mock battle.

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The Cyrenius H. Booth Library: The Story Hour for children, which was announced last week, will begin on Tuesday, June 27, at 2 pm. All children of Newtown are invited. It is hoped that children from the more remote districts will be able to come. This Tuesday, Story Hour will be in charge of Miss Vera R. Tracy, assistant librarian.

The Fairfield State Hospital was formally opened for the reception of patients, Wednesday, when 32 patients from the Connecticut State Hospital, Middletown, arrived by bus about 11 o’clock. The patients are fed by the cafeteria system and everything went forward like clock work. It is expected bus loads of patients from the State Hospital at Middletown will continue to arrive weekly, until 500 patients have been received.

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Hugh J. Quinn, manager of the Newtown Ice Company, wishes to announce to the summer visitors as well as the local residents that special orders of ice will be delivered by calling him at his residence, at any time, telephone 46. People who desire to have their ice boxes filled and waiting ready for them when they arrive in town will be promptly taken care of by Mr Quinn, who has two trucks on the road. His price is 60 cents for a full 100 pounds delivered.

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One of the big trucks belonging to T.A.D. Jones of New Haven turned over on the Berkshire road, Saturday, a connecting rod having gotten stuck. Joseph Reccord, the chauffeur, had one ear nearly torn off and sustained a bad wound on the right side of his scalp. The wounds of the injured man were dressed and he was taken to New Haven.

 

June 26, 1908

Measles has been quite prevalent around Botsford for the past few weeks, five members of Charles Bedat’s family having them at one time. The latest victim is Hobart Fairchild, who is quite ill with them and under the care of Dr Kiernan.

* * *

Miss Mabel Gilbert, while at school some two weeks ago, was bitten on the ankle by a dog who had followed some scholars to school. The wound although not healed is doing perhaps as well as could be expected. The authorities of the town killed the dog.

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The Hawleyville depot has been jacked up and will be moved 100 feet or thereabouts west. The steam shovel and gravel train have been busy moving the gravel bank to clear a space for the new depot location.

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The most exciting and lengthy town meeting that has taken place in Newtown in the writer’s memory was the adjourned special town meeting, Wednesday afternoon, called to act on the report of the investigating committee appointed last November. At times three were trying to be heard at once, and the motions, resolutions rolled in in a way that would have rattled any one but a veteran as a parliamentarian. Attorney W.J. Beecher was the first to catch the chairman’s attention offering the following resolution: “That the summary report of Mr Soule, in so far as it refers to the accounts of the town treasurer, registrar of vital statistics, selectmen and town clerk be accepted and lodged on file in the town clerk’s office. And that so far as the same refers to the accounts of tax collectors, the same be, and it is hereby referred to the investigating committee to take such action as they see fit.” The chair declared the motion carried, remarking, “That the noes made the most noise but the ayes had it.” It was doubted and a division of the house called for.

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Angus T. Joy has taken over the Meserick & Swenson roadside and gas station in Dodgingtown and it will be known henceforth as the Joy Station. Mr Joy handles Texaco gas and oils. His many friends wish him success in his new endeavor.