Opinions culled from The Newtown Bee’s survey last week on whether or not to permit multifamily housing in Newtown split almost evenly, with the dissenters leading by two votes and the subject still as controversial as ever. A total of 35 residents and one out of towner responded to last week’s questionnaire. Opponents prime concern is the preservation of Newtown’s small-town atmosphere, which they feel would be threatened by this form of development.

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In an effort to supply nighttime recreation activities for young people in town, the Parks and Recreation Department put on a Teen Night at Newtown Middle School last Friday night. Middle school-aged youth paid $2 to get in, which entitled them to use the gymnasium, or to use the games in the cafeteria, or to watch movies. This Saturday, February 28, high school students can enjoy their version of Teen Night at Recreation Night, sponsored jointly by the Recreation Department and the Parents Teachers Association.

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The Conservation Commission granted the Newtown Congregational Church a change in its inland wetlands license on February 25. The previously approved license was granted the following changes: Phase II of the proposal for the new church was removed from the design, and the location of a driveway was moved.

March 2, 1962

The Newtown Committee for Mental Health and the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association will jointly sponsor the showing of the new movie, “You Are Not Alone,” on Thursday evening, March 8, in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. In this movie, Dr J. Benton Egee of Newtown portrays the family physician, and many scenes in the film were taken at his office here on Church Hill Road and Fairfield State Hospital. The movie tells in graphic detail the case history of a young man with possible mental health problems.

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The Board of Selectmen, at its meeting Tuesday night, made plans for participation in Student Government Day, Tuesday, March 20, when high school students, duly elected by their classmates, will take over the town offices, supervised by town officials, and learn by experience how the town is run.

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The Post Office Department has issued an urgent appeal to all townspeople to assist the mail carriers by clearing out the paths and drives to their mail boxes. At this time of the year, with heavy snow lingering and possibly coming again soon, it becomes increasingly difficult for the postal workers to make prompt deliveries.

February 26, 1937

To the Editor: A bill has been introduced in the present session of our General Assembly to appropriate $25,000 for a state park in this section of the state. We have in the western part of the town a tract of land on which are 50 or more fireplaces similar to those in Putnam Park. It is thought by some they mark the site of the camping place of Rochambeau’s troops who marched through Newtown in 1782. This tract is located fronting a town road running west from the residence of Charles D. Ferris, Jr, and about one-half mile from State highway…It seems to me that here is a chance to secure to us and our successors something well worth while. Let’s get that $25,000. Respectfully, Charles B. Johnson

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Playing their last game of the season before the Housatonic League championship match with Salisbury this Thursday evening, the Newtown girls won an easy victory, Friday evening, from the Danbury High school girls by a score of 36-14. “Kay” Cole, with 22 points to her credit, took the honors on her side of the mid-stripe, while Emily Young was the outstanding performer on the other half of the court, making it practically impossible for the Danbury girls to get a good shot at the hoop.

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Mr and Mrs Fuller, present owners of the Logan place in Taunton district, returned to the house last Wednesday to find that it had been burglarized. The thieves had strewn things about generally and carried off some property. It is unfortunate that such acts of entering and robbing homes occur, and to be hoped that the culprits are caught and properly punished.

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On Thursday afternoon, February 18, the local chapter of Future Farmers visited the New England hatcheries The hatchery is equipped with a Smith incubator, having a capacity of 39,000 eggs. The New England Hatcheries are owned and operated by W.C. Baxter and Edward Wutsch. Edward Wutsch took pleasure in explaining and answered several questions by the inquisitive young farmers.

March 1, 1912

In the high wind, last week Wednesday night, the roof on a cow shed on the east side of Andrew Bailey’s barn at his place in Botsford, was blown off.

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Newtown loses a substantial and highly esteemed citizen in the death, about 1 am, Sunday, of the Hon William N. Northrop, of Head of Meadow district. William N. Northrop was born July 15, 1829, the son of Walter Northrop. He received his education in the schools of his home district, Head of Meadow, and also attended the select school of Harry Peck. In 1875 he was elected first selectman and for eight years served with credit in this important office. In 1881 he was nominated by the Democrats for state senator and elected from the 15th district. He has also served as town auditor and as a director of the Newtown Savings bank. The burial was in Newtown cemetery. There were a number of beautiful floral tributes.

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The Housatonic river went on a tear, Washington’s birthday, dropping thousands of pounds of ice carefully on the road by the river side, south of E.L. Mitchell’s residence. The Southbury selectmen have had four men at work all the week cutting out a pathway for the teams. Along the river bank there is a wall of ice 10 and 12 feet high. The ice set back the water so that the cellar in Attorney Benner’s residence was filled with water.

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In the heavy wind of Thursday morning the Liberty pole in Newtown Street was blown down, breaking off about 15 feet above the ground. People who live in the houses nearby, heard the crash which came about 2 am. Eight or ten years ago the top-mast was struck by lightning. A new topmast was bought in Mystic and placed in position, which had a sudden and ignominious fall in the early hours of Thursday.