This week we take a look back at 1967.
Muhammad Ali publicly refused to be drafted into the U.S. military, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War.
People were watching “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Gilligan’s Island” and “Batman” on their color television sets.
A new “hippie subculture” has emerged, with frayed bell-bottom jeans, sandals, crushed velvet suits and bright tie-dye t-shirts dominating the fashion scene.
These were the top five songs topping the American music charts:
“Somethin’ Stupid” –Nancy Sinatra
“A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” – The Monkees
“Happy Together” – The Turtles
“Sweet Soul Music” – Arthur Conley
“I Think We’re Alone Now” – Tommy James and the Shondells
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Thursday, April 27, 1967
City Hall Is Getting New Roof
ANSONIA – Ansonia’s City Hall is getting a new roof.
The original slate roof, installed when the municipal building was constructed in 1905, will be replaced with new fire-resistant, asphalt shingles.
With the exception of replacing the cap on the roof about 20 years ago, replacing the asphalt shingles is the first major repair to the roof.
Robert DiGiorgi of DiGiorgi Roofing Co. of Ansonia is the contractor. The cost of the new roof is $3,400.
Tax Board Turns Down Mayor’s City Audit Plea
DERBY – Mayor Harry F. Cicia’s request for $2,500 for a special audit of the city’s books was turned down by the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation last night. Voting was strictly along party lines. Four Republican members favored the request.
Teacher Pay Hike Requests Referred To Bargaining Unit
SEYMOUR – Several Seymour teachers who sought compensation for extracurricular duties ran afoul of their organizational efforts last night when they petitioned the Board of Education for more money.
The board referred their requests to the Seymour Education Association on the grounds that the request from a teacher to the board was, in effect, an attempt by the teacher to negotiate a salary for himself.
Board To Adopt Budget, Set Mill Rate Tomorrow
SHELTON – The Shelton Board of Apportionment and Taxation is expected to set the 1967-68 tax rate at a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Friday in City Hall. Two meetings held this week behind closed doors were reportedly spent slashing the $5,327,581.91 tentative budget, which would have required an 8-10 mill tax increase. Cuts in various department budgets are said to have ranged from seven to 10 percent.
Friday, April 28, 1967
Day Of Grace For Taxpayers
ANSONIA – Ansonia taxpayers will have a day of grace before a penalty is invoked.
The first installment of city taxes must be paid by April 30. However, because the last day of the month falls on Sunday, Tax Collector William E. Stapleton said today an extension would be granted through Monday for the payment of taxes.
Derby Native To Enter Priesthood Thursday
DERBY – Salvatore F. Cavagnuolo will be ordained a priest at 2 p.m. Thursday in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hartford, by the Most Rev. Henry J. O’Brien, archbishop of Hartford.
He will celebrate his first solemn high Mass at noon May 7 in St. Mary’s Church, Derby.
Mr. Cavagnuolo is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Cavagnuolo of Caroline Street.
A native of Derby, Mr. Cavagnuolo is a graduate of St. Mary’s School. He attended Fairfield Preparatory School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He is a graduate of St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, where he received an associate of arts degree.
Lively Canine’s Caper Results In A Big Bang
DERBY – A little dog caused big trouble yesterday afternoon.
John Bradley Jr., 41, of Shelton, parked his vehicle on Third Street, Derby. Roger Rivers, of Roosevelt Drive, Derby, a passenger, had his dog with him. The little canine was on a leash and Rogers tied it around the emergency brake.
The two men went into a nearby tavern for a drink. A short time later they heard a big bang and were among those who rushed out to see what had happened.
Sgt. Boleslaw Tracz said the dog apparently started to jump around and in doing so released the brake. The parked vehicle rolled down the hill, hit parked cars, smashed through a cinderblock wall and ended up in Malafronte’s Service Station.
Aboard USS Kearsarge
SEYMOUR – Seaman Thomas A. Gabianelli, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Gabianelli, of Bank Street, has been assigned to the USS Kearsarge at Long Beach, Calif., for three months before a duty assignment in the Pacific.
Accident Scatters Aluminum On Route 8
SHELTON – Thirty thousand pounds of scrap aluminum was scattered over Route 8 at the Shelton Cloverleaf in a truck-car crash shortly before 11 p.m. yesterday in which both drivers were arrested.
Traffic on the southbound side was blocked until a State Highway Department payloader cleared the debris.
Saturday, April 29, 1967
Salvatore Cassetti, 42, Dies; Ansonia Patrolman Since 1962
ANSONIA – Patrolman Salvatore Cassetti, 42, a member of the Ansonia Police Department since 1962, died yesterday at his home on South Street, after a long illness.
He was the husband of Mrs. Lillian Ann Dorso Cassetti.
He was appointed a supernumerary patrolman in June 1952 and to the regular force Sept. 10, 1962. He was a member of the department’s championship pistol team and had attended the police science course at New Haven College.
Mr. Cassetti was born in Ansonia, son of Joseph and Ignazia Cassetti and was a Navy veteran of World War II. He attended the Pine High School and was a member of the Holy Rosary Church, Holy Rosary Catholic Men’s Club, St. Michael’s Society and the Police Anchor Club.
Surviving besides his wife and parents are three sons, Joseph, Gary and David, and two sisters, Mrs. Vincent Malerba and Mrs. John Klabonski, all of Ansonia.
On Duty In Vietnam
DERBY – Lance Corporal Anthony F. Bartone, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bartone, Sr., of Hawkins St., has been serving in Vietnam for the past five months. He is serving with Company “C,” 3rd Shore Party Bn., 3rd Marine Division. He is stationed at Dong-Ha.
More Training
SEYMOUR – Airman Louise F. Bunk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew A. Bunk of Maple Street, has been selected for technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, as a medical service specialist. She recently completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. Airman Bunk is a 1965 graduate of Seymour High School.
Shelton Tax Rate Increased 2 ½ Mills
SHELTON – The Shelton Board of Apportionment and Taxation last night adopted a budget of nearly $5 million for 1967-68 and raised the tax rate 2 ½ mills in each of the city’s two districts.
For the second year in a row, Democratic Mayor Charles J. Frager had to cast a tiebreaking vote in order to adopt the budget.
Sunday, April 30, 1967
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sunday.
Monday, May 1, 1967
Bicycle Stolen
ANSONIA – James Norris, of Bruns Road, reported to police yesterday that his bicycle has been stolen. The bicycle was equipped with a speedometer and saddle bag, he said.
Mother Steers Runaway Car Off Roadway
ANSONIA – Quick action on the part of a mother prevented what could have been a serious accident at 5:30 p.m. yesterday on Platt Street.
Police said Lawrence J. Ottanio, of Fairview Street, had parked his car on Platt Street and had left the engine running. His two-year-old daughter accidentally pushed the gear shift lever into the drive position, and the vehicle started to roll.
Mrs. Jean Ottanio, mother of the girl, took control of the wheel and piloted the vehicle into hedges on the property of Mrs. May Robinson, of Platt Street, to avoid hitting children playing in the area.
Quick Action By Trooper Prevents Fire
SEYMOUR – Quick action by an off-duty state trooper was credited by a Seymour resident with preventing a fire this weekend.
Paul Gregory of Botsford Road said he was burning trash in his backyard Saturday when the fire was blown from the incinerator and into the woods.
Everett Anderson, Oxford resident trooper, and a resident of the area, was driving by and he pitched in to assist Gregory in controlling the fire.
“Without his (Anderson’s) help, we might have lost 600 acres,” Gregory said. “I’m glad to see this is the caliber of men we have on the state police, and I think Anderson should be given credit for his actions.”
Airman Kosiorowski Promoted In Vietnam
SHELTON – Watler Kosiorowksi has been promoted to airman first class in Vietnam. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Kosiorowski of Howe Avenue.
Airman Kosiorowski is with the 391st T.A.C. Fighter Squad. He was inducted in the Air Force on July 19, 1965, and has been in Vietnam since January of this year. He is a graduate of Shelton High School, class of 1965.
Tuesday, May 2, 1967
News Store Reports $30 Stolen
ANSONIA – A money box containing about $30 was stolen sometime yesterday at Hawley’s News Store, Main Street.
The theft report was filed with Sgt. George C. Cadieux by the proprietor, Amos Hawley. The owner first thought the box had been misplaced.
Planning Board Meets
DERBY – The Derby Planning Commission, meeting last night in City Hall, heard representatives of United Advertisers, who showed a new type of advertising signs that reportedly blend with modern day planning.
Storm Engine Co. To Plan Carnival
DERBY – The Storm Engine Company will meet at 8 p.m. Thursday in the firehouse on Olivia Street to make plans for the carnival to be held at Coon Hollow Park in conjunction with the Hotchkiss Hose Company.
The company will also discuss a proposed work project for the recreation room.
Club Scholarship Awarded To Girl
SEYMOUR – Miss Barbara Flach, daughter of Mrs. Eleanor Flach, of Maple Street, has been awarded a $125 scholarship by the Woman’s College Club of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton.
Miss Flach will attend Southern Connecticut State College in the fall to study elementary education. She is currently a senior at Seymour High School.