This Week In History: 1975!

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This week, we travel back in time to 1975!

Singer Neil Sedaka’s ​“Laughter in the Rain” was the no. 1 song in the U.S. this week in 1975.

While ​“Chinatown” won best movie of the year at the Golden Globe Awards, ​“Jaws” (released in June 1975) dominated the box office in 1975. The tale of a great white shark terrifying a small New England beach town was the first movie to gross over $100 million in the U.S. and snagged the first-ever summer blockbuster title.

Actress Sara Gilbert, who played the sarcastic yet loveable Darlene Conner on ​“Roseanne” was born on Jan. 29.

At the grocery store, a dozen eggs cost 77 cents and a gallon of milk cost $1.75.

And on the tube, Americans were tuned into their favorite TV shows including ​“Laverne and Shirley,” ​“All in the Family,” ​“M*A*S*H” and ​“The Waltons.” Good night, John Boy!

Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!

Monday, Jan. 27, 1975

Youths Nabbed In Pine Breaks

ANSONIA – Two juveniles were apprehended this weekend in connection with recent breaks at the Pine Building, Police Chief Edward A. Turgeon said today.

The breaks had resulted in ransacking of offices and workshops. Turgeon said that the pair, 11 and 12, both of Ansonia, were apprehended during a police surveillance of the area. The youths have been turned over to juvenile authorities.

Flynn Bill Would Extend Right-To-Know

ANSONIA – State Sen. Joseph P. Flynn said Friday he would file a bill to protect and extend the public’s right to know what is going on in the state and local governments.

Flynn, an Ansonia Democrat, said the bill would embody several points, including providing arrests by state police be open to public inspection and limit the right of local boards and commissions to transact business in executive, or closed, session.

Governor To Attend Derby Ball

DERBY – Gov. Ella Grasso will attend Derby’s Tercentenary Ball May 31 at the Goffe Street Armory, New Haven.

In a letter to William J. Comboni, chairman of the ball committee of Derby’s 300th Commission, Gov. Grasso wrote: ​“Thank you very much for your gracious invitation to attend Derby’s Tercentennial Ball. I am pleased to accept and am reserving that date on my calendar.”

Music will be provided by two Arnold Most orchestras with continuous dancing from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Selectmen Adopt Rules For Emergency

SEYMOUR – The Board of Selectmen has adopted an ordinance creating a Civil Preparedness Agency for disaster emergency operations.

The first selectman will appoint a director who will be responsible for coordinating the activities of all agencies in emergency situations.

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1975

Unit To Offer 200th Medallion

ANSONIA – Gen. David Humphreys and the historic Humphreys House will be depicted on a commemorative medallion in honor of the nation’s 200th birthday.

Plans for the medallion, which will be cast in bronze and silver, were made at a meeting of the Bicentennial Commission this week.

Paugassetts Plan Annual Banquet

DERBY – The annual Old Timers and Past Captains Banquet of the Paugassett Hook and Ladder Company will be held Saturday at the company’s headquarters.

Cocktails will be served at 7 p.m. A roast beef dinner will be served at 8 p.m. Fire departments and other city officials will attend.

Capt. Anthony P. Ziomek has asked that members of the fire company and its Civil Preparedness Auxiliary meet at the firehouse at 7 p.m. Friday to prepare for the dinner. 

162 Students To Make Trip

SEYMOUR – About 162 eighth grade students at Seymour Junior High School have registered for a three-day trip to Washington, D.C. in April.

The trip was approved by the Boad of Education and is under the supervision of Principal Louis C. Bevacqua.

More Pupils Predicted In Town

SEYMOUR – Construction of a major condominium complex could add up to 360 pupils to the Seymour public schools by 1980.

Edward L. Burdell, director of the Valley Regional Planning Agency, gave this opinion last before the School Building committee in the central office.

Burdell said that Seymour was a prime area for housing development and that by 2000, the town’s population could double.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1975

O’Brien Cuts Night Classes To Save Funds

ANSONIA – Evening classes at Emmett O’Brien Regional Vocational Technical School in Ansonia have been terminated because of the state’s austerity program.

James B. Caulfield, director of the Ansonia school, said the State Division of Vocational Education had ordered an end to the supplementary evening courses because of Gov. Ella T. Grasso’s order to trim budgets.

All evening programs, except for a state-mandated apprenticeship program, in all vocational technical schools have ended.

There were 413 adults enrolled in the schools’ evening programs.

Ansonian Marks 90th

ANSONIA – Luigi Chevarella celebrated his 90th birthday Sunday at the home of his son, Peter J. Chevarella. Chevarella has been a resident of Ansonia about 50 years. He retired from Anaconda Brass Co. in 1954. A native of Foggia, Italy, he has one other son, three daughters and 15 grandchildren.

Derby Back Taxes Total $49,001

DERBY – Delinquent personal and real estate taxes from 1960 to 1973 total $49,001, according to records in the office of Tax Collector Harry Kinney.

Vandals Take School Safe

SEYMOUR – Vandals broke into Maple Street School during the night and after strewing papers around in several classrooms, made off with a safe and calculator from the principal’s office.

The break, which was discovered by the custodial staff, was reported to police this morning.

According to police, the vandals entered the building by breaking a window into the boiler room.

About $40 was in the safe, which weighed several hundred pounds.

Thursday, Jan. 30, 1975

Ansonia Ambulance Unit To Mark Anniversary

ANSONIA –By the time the Volunteer Ambulance Service Committee celebrates its first anniversary in March, it will have answered an estimated 600 calls for help.

Thomas Moran, co-chairman and Samuel Baranowsky, a member, gave this estimate. They said the service had been receiving more than 50 calls a month.

Trees Toppled By High Winds

DERBY – The Department of Public Works was called out last night when several trees were toppled by the high winds that buffeted the area.

A limb fell from a tree on Mount Pleasant Street and damaged a motor vehicle. Public Works Commissioner James R. Robinson and his crew cut the limb into small pieces and removed it.

Another tree was removed on Hawthorne Avenue. No other damage was reported.

Old Time Outfits On Sale In Derby

DERBY – Derby’s Tercentenary and Bicentennial Commission is selling reproductions of old-fashioned clothes.

Some styles on sale at commission’s headquarters, 300 Main St., are pioneer dress and bonnet, Gibson girl blouse and skirt, Hussy dress with headpiece, a Belle gown, a Roaring 20s dress with fringe, gay 90s bathing beauty, bonanza gown, Cody girl gown, Scarlett O’Hara gown, plantation girl gown, pantalettes, hoop petticoats, peasant blouse and skirt, colonia day dress, assorted headpieces, parasols and fans.

For the men, there area ​“gent’s” vests, Abe Lincoln coats, old-fashioned bathing suits and old-fashioned shirts, ties, hats and striped blazers.

Police, Seymour Start Talks

SEYMOUR – Negotiations are in progress between Seymour Police Union Local 564, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, and the Board of Police Commissioners for a new police contract.

The present two-year contract will expire March 31.

Neither side would comment on how much of a wage increase the police union was asking or what additional benefits were being sought.

Under terms of a joint agreement reached at the first negotiating session, both sides have agreed to withhold any public statements concerning negotiation demands or progress in the contract talks until a settlement is reached.

Under the contract, regular patrolmen receive an hourly rate of $4.60 while sergeants are paid $4.80 per hour.

Friday, Jan. 31. 1975

City Attempts To Cut Use Of Energy

ANSONIA – More city lights are being turned off and less gasoline is being consumed and the city attempts to cut back on its energy costs, William LaRovera, energy administrator, said today.

LaRovera said he had instructed janitors who work in city buildings to turn off lights that were not being used.

In addition, LaRovera said thermostats in city buildings were set at 68 degrees or less to cut fuel costs.

Ansonia To Run Shredder Again

ANSONIA – The city’s $900,000 refuse shredder is expected to start operating again Monday after a long lull caused by complaints it was vibrating buildings throughout town.

William M. LaRovera, superintendent of buildings and refuse, said today that measures were being taken to eliminate the vibrations, including the installation of springs.

Before the city will accept the unit, tests will be completed on the remainder of 2,000 tons of refuse, LaRovera said. He estimated this could take another two weeks.

Derby Committee Gets Project Bids

DERBY – The city Finance Committee is considering the three apparent low bids for the E Street storm water sewer project.

Twelve bids were received at City Hall.

The three bids were from Valley Construction Co., Ansonia, $99,150.50: Mesa Construction, Bethany, $109,579.80 and John J. Brennan Construction Co., Shelton, $114,740.75

Woman Scares Thieves Away During Burglary

SEYMOUR – Seymour police are investigating a break yesterday at a residence on Hillside Terrace.

Lt. Salvatore Feducia said that the resident returned home shortly before noon yesterday and surprised a pair of burglars ransacking her house.

He said the thieves had taken a stereo tape player and speakers, a cassette radio, a camera, a portable television and several BB guns out the house to the backyard.

When the resident returned, the two fled from the house without taking any of the articles, police said.

Ex-Seymourites Mark Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Heavens of San Diego, formerly of Seymour, will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary today.

They have five children, William and Howard Heavens, both of Seymour; Alfred Heavens of Oxford; Norman Heavens of Shelton and Mrs. Jane Borg of San Diego.

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