Straight from archives of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1986 – the year this author graduated from Seymour High School. Go Wildcats!
“Top Gun” premiered, becoming a summer blockbuster with its jet-fueled action and iconic phrase “I feel the need… the need for speed.” Ferris Bueller also took a day off, Whitney Houston was singing about the “Greatest Love of All” and New York Yankees’ Slugger Reggie Jackson hit his 537th career homerun, surpassing Mickey Mantle on the all-time list.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, May 12, 1986
Drug Council Chief Says Crack Is Now Being Used In The Valley
ANSONIA – A potent pellet form of cocaine called crack is being used more frequently in the Valley, according to the executive director of the Valley Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council.
Jerry Katz said this morning that several clients told him that they have been using the almost instantly-addictive drug. The council has 130 clients and of that total, about half have used cocaine, he said.
Until recently, crack was only available in big cities like New York, but it began drifting into Connecticut last winter.
Gas Leak Found In Derby
DERBY – It has been learned that police discovered a large gas leak on Olivia Street Friday morning.
Because of an edict issued by Mayor Richard Grande, the police did not release information on the leak.
It was found on Olivia near Sixth Street and was believed to have been caused by construction equipment being used in the area to install a new sewer line. A crew from Northeast Utilities was on the scene and made the repairs to the leak. Fire Chief James Butler was also called to the site.
State Plans Road Repairs
SEYMOUR – The State Department of Transportation has announced its work schedule for road improvement projects this week.
In Seymour, bridge rehabilitation on Route 67 over Bladden’s Brook will require lane width restrictions, but two-way traffic will be maintained. Also on Route 67, over Little River, there will be minor delays while crews are applying membrane waterproofing and paving. The state may also detour traffic through Old Drive.
Truck Saga Continues
SHELTON – Fire Commissioners are leaning toward recommending the complete refurbishment of the disabled Echo Hose Company Engine No. 3 at a cost of about $50,000.
“It certainly would be less expensive than buying a new one,” commented Commissioner John Leyton today. “We’ve had some people look at it and we’re just trying to get an idea of what has to be done.”
He said a “ballpark figure” for further repairs is approximately $50,000. The 1,250-gallon pumper has been out of use since a Labor Day, 1982 accident.
Tuesday, May 13, 1986
Aldermen To Vote On Mead Funds
ANSONIA – A gymnasium and six new classrooms should be added to Mead School, the school board’s commission decided recently.
If all goes as planned, that hope will become a reality by 1988.
At tonight’s meeting set for 8 p.m. at the Ansonia Library, the aldermen will vote on whether or not to begin the work by allowing the school board to apply for a state building grant. That grant would pay for about 75 percent of the $1 million project cost.
Hose Companies Planning Festival
ANSONIA – Plans are coming together for the Fountain and Charters Hose Companies “Summer Fest 86” celebration at Nolan Field Aug. 8-10.
Nightly entertainment this year will be provided by “Reckless” Friday, “Decades” Saturday and “Bridge” Sunday. A disc jockey will spin records on Sunday afternoon.
An antique car show will also be held on Sunday.
Lady ‘Cats Nipped By Lyman Hall 4-3
SEYMOUR – Despite Allison Yaeger’s three-hit pitching, Seymour High School girls’ softball team bowed 4-3 to Lyman Hall yesterday afternoon in a Housatonic League game.
Amy Logan (8-6) scattered eight hits in pitching the win for Lyman Hall. She struck out seven batters and walked one.
Tina Slie, Nancy Kapusta and Val Pawlak each garnered two hits for Seymour, which dropped to third place in the Housy race at 8-5.
Pacowta Picks Easton Woman As New Assessor
SHELTON – Mayor Michael E. Pacowta today announced the appointment of Gloria Kovac, 41, of Easton, as the city’s new assessor.
She will be paid $37,000 annually and is scheduled to take office on May 20.
According to a statement released today at City Hall by Pacowta, Ms. Kovac has worked as a government appraiser for the U.S. Department of the Treasury and is also a certified Connecticut Municipal Assessor and a certified review appraiser.
“She was highly impressive in my opinion and comes well qualified.” Pacowta said.
Wednesday, May 14, 1986
DiMauro Stops Sidewalk Work
ANSONIA – Driving his truck onto the sidewalk isn’t usually the way Superintendent of Public Works Robert DiMauro makes a point.
But that was what it took Tuesday for him to prevent construction crews from repeating mistakes made putting in sidewalks in front of City Hall.
Most of the sidewalk in front of City Hall was replaced last year. But DiMauro stopped work before it was completed, saying that the pavement’s sharp incline would be dangerous.
Board To Discuss Bids
DERBY – Aldermen will discuss the two bids received to renovate the former Hotchkiss Hose Firehouse on Caroline Street during their monthly meeting Thursday at City Hall.
Mayor Richard A. Grande said he believes the bid submitted by the Interfaith Emergency Housing Shelter, which would spend more than $200,000 to renovate the dilapidated building into a 16-bed shelter for the homeless, is the superior of the two.
The other bidder for the vacant building was Erminio Dugatto of Derby Dental Labs Inc. of Plaza on the Green. Dugatto offered to spend $25,000 to renovate the building and bring it up to fire and health standards.
Seymour Band To Debut
SEYMOUR – The recently formed Seymour Middle-Elementary Schools Band will make its debut at the annual Memorial Day parade at 11 a.m. May 26.
About 50 students in grades four to eight who are enrolled in an instrumental music program in the elementary and middle schools have been practicing weekly in preparation for the event.
Aldermen Pass $33.8M Budget For Shelton
SHELTON – While it was not unanimous, Mayor Michael E. Pacowta’s $33.8 million budget was adopted with minor alterations Tuesday at City Hall, making the new tax rate 27 mills. The budget will result in a 1.18 mill increase over last year’s tax rate of 25.82 mills.
Alderman Thomas Welsh was the sole dissenter Tuesday on the budget that had a bottom line differing from Pacowta’s original proposal by $34,500. The additional money was targeted for cleaning supplies and the hiring of a janitor to clean the new Sunnyside Senior Center, and a $20,000 city-wide traffic study.
Thursday, May 15, 1986
Skowronski May Change Mind And Run After All
DERBY – Former State Sen. Eugene A. Skowronski, 17th District Democrat, may rescind a decision he made several months ago to stay out of the race for his party’s nomination for 5th District U.S. representative.
Skowronski said that although he had decided previously that he would not be a candidate for congress or his former state senate seat, he may be changing his mind.
He said party officials approached him and asked if he would reconsider his decision to devote himself to his law partnership with his brother Theodore.
Skowronski said he has missed public service and politics. He added he had begun to change his mind about running before he was formally approached.
He Pitches Wins For ‘Cats
SEYMOUR – After finishing 3-7 last year, Seymour pitcher Steve McLoughlin has led the surprisingly successful Wildcats this season with his stellar pitching.
The Wildcats’ tri-captain, a starter since his sophomore year, is 5-3 with a 3.1 earned-run average.
In his last start, McLoughlin pitched a three-hitter in Seymour’s 3-1 Housatonic League win over Lyman Hall. He struck out nine and walked only one. For that peerless pitching performance, McLoughlin has been named The Evening Sentinel’s Athlete of the Week.
McLoughlin also captained the Seymour swim team this year and is the president of the school’s National Honors Society chapter. The 18-year-old senior was also recently named one of SHS’ “Scholar Athletes” by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference for his “outstanding performances on the playing field and in the classroom.”
Shelton Band Awarded Honors
SHELTON – The high school’s band and marching units have again placed among the best on the east coast, walking off with a large share of the honors at the Ocean City Festival of Music in Ocean City, MD, recently.
The Color Guard, under the direction of David Munson, placed second overall in the competition among high schools from all over the east coast. Elaine Turro’s Majorettes, doing a colorful routine with orange and black ribbons, also took a second-place prize.
The Pompon Squad had a first-place finish under the direction of Daria Ploski.
The Wind Ensemble took third place and the band and all marching units combined their talents to take fourth place overall. Deborah Keller is band director.
Friday, May 16, 1986
Bomb Scare
ANSONIA – About 40 employees of Fitzpatrick’s Inc. at 430 East Main St., were evacuated this morning after an anonymous caller said he had planted a bomb in the building, police said.
The incident occurred at approximately 9 a.m.
Workers milled in the parking lot as police called for trained dogs to search the auto dealership. The bomb scare was still under investigation as The Sentinel went to press.
Signal To Be Removed
DERBY – Police Lt. Donal Germain announced today that the traffic signal at the intersection of Fifth and Olivia streets would be taken down and replaced by a four-way stop traffic pattern.
Germain said that parts for the light are no longer available and it cannot be repaired.
Scouts Hold Annual Show In Derby
DERBY – The Annual Minstrel and Gang Show, given by the Scouts of Troop 3, the Pack 3 Cubs and Post 3 Explorers last weekend played to a packed house each night of the two- performance show at Derby Methodist Church.
“It was fun from beginning to end,” said Ed Strang, producer. “The antics of Endmen Ed Hendi, Ray Decho and Jim Melita stopped the show time after time.”
Mayor Richard A. Grande was a visitor Friday and was the butt of some jokes, as was Ansonia Mayor William Menna Saturday night. Menna, in turn, shot jokes right back and had the crowd roaring with some of his replies.
Student Slips Into First Prize
SEYMOUR – Heidi Banks, a sixth-grade pupil at Anna L. LoPresti School, has come up with a practical solution to a troublesome problem – how to find your slippers in the dark.
Her unique invention of auto-lighted slippers won her first prize at the annual Connecticut Invention Convention at Central Connecticut State College, New Britain.
Heidi was among about 100 students from schools throughout the state, including six others from Seymour schools, whose inventions vied for honors in the competition Saturday.
For her creative and unusual idea, Heidi was presented with a $75 savings bond and a certificate for placing first in her division.
Shelton Man Sues Supermarket
SHELTON – A city man has filed suit against the A&P Supermarket on River Road and its parent company seeking damages for being hit in the face by a plastic bag dispenser that was allegedly defective.
Charles J. Simmons said in papers filed in Milford Superior Court Thursday that he suffered two broken teeth and a cut eye when attempting to remove a plastic bag from a dispenser that detached and struck him in the face.
The suit, brought on Simmons’s behalf by the Shelton firm of Winnick, Vine and Welch, said the injuries were permanent in nature and seeks in excess of $15,000 in damages.