Timeline of New Milford's History

Native American Deed signed by fourteen Native Americans was given to the Proprietors of New Milford. Consideration, Sixty pounds current money of the Colony of Connecticut, and twenty pounds in goods. There were 109 Proprietors who owned Rights. New Milford was called a Plantation until 1713.

The legislative title called the "Patent" was granted by the Grand Court to New Milford.

Zachariah Ferriss came to New Milford and plowed a piece of land near Roger Sherman Hall - the first work done by a white man here.

The names of the three earliest settlers of New Milford are: John Noble from Westfield, Mass., John Bostwick from Stratford, Conn., John Noble, Jr. from Westfield, Mass.

Daniel Bostwick was born; the first male child born in New Milford.

Sarah Ferriss was born; the first female child born in New Milford.

John Read preached a sermon; the first in New Milford. The inhabitants (about 70 persons) of the Plantation petitioned the General Assembly for town rights and also the privilege of levying a tax to obtain a minister.

The General Assembly of Connecticut granted the powers and privileges of a township. First highways laid Out: Aspetuck Avenue and Elkington Road. Ensign William Gaylord came from Windsor.

John Noble, Sr. chosen Town Clerk; Zachariah Ferriss, Samuel Brownson and Samuel Hitchcock, Selectmen.

-  Voted to fence the Common Field. John Noble, Sr. dies. First adult to be buried in Center Cemetery. Main Street, Bridge Street, Elm Street and Bennitt Street laid out.

Highway from lower end of Indian Field to Danbury laid out. First military company organized, Captain Stephen Noble in command.

"First Church of Christ" (Congregational) organized by eight men and five women with Rev. Daniel Boardman as pastor.

First gristmill built by John Griswold and William Gould at Lanesville.

First Meeting House begun. Highway from south end of Main Street to the Great Falls, on the east side of the river, laid out "to be 30 rods wide where it can be allowed"

Town voted to build a boat for the purpose of crossing the river, the expense to be borne "by the polls."

Voted in Town Meeting that a school be maintained for four months in the winter, the town to bear one-half the expense.

"North Purchase" bought. It was taken from Waramaug's Reserve. Committee appointed to raise money to hire a school master three months in winter, and a school mistress three months in summer.

In consideration for gifts of 24 acres of land from individuals, James Hine of Milford came to New Milford as its first blacksmith.

Ensign William Gaylord built a log house at Gaylordsville. First Grand List made in New Milford; £2,739.lls.7d. Captain John Warner was the first settler at the "South Farms" (lower part of New Milford).

First District SchoolHouse built.

John Noble, Jr. moved to Gallows Hill, New Milford plains. He was the first permanent settler below Gallows Hill.

1731-1732

Eighteen sundry members of First Church of Christ fell away to Quakerism.

Ironworks erected at Half-way Falls (now Brookfield).

Gallows Hill Cemetery laid out.

First brid8e erected across the Housatonic at the foot of Bennitt Street. This was a free bridge and when it was swept away by floods in about three years it was replaced by a toll bridge.

Gaylordsville Burying Ground laid out by William Gaylord and Stephen Noble.

Quaker MeetingHouse built at Pickett District. Later moved to Lanesville.

Roger Sherman came to New Milford from Newton, Mass. Partridge Thatcher came from Lebanon, Conn. He was the first professional lawyer in New Milford.

St. John's Episcopal Church organized with visiting clergy.

Litchfield County organized. Samuel Canfield, Esq. of New Milford one of four first Justices of the Quorum. The Quorum was the highest court in the State.

Rev. Solomon Palmer the first resident Episcopal clergyman, came to New Milford. The second Congregational MeetingHouse was built. Parish of Newbury (Brookfield) incorporated by the General Assembly. New Milford contributed 8 sq. miles, Danbury 33/4 sq. miles and Newtown 6 sq. miles.

Lazarus Ruggles settled at Lanesville and erected the Iron Works.

Census taken showing 1,137 inhabitants.

Mary Roberts gave her negro slave, Dan, his freedom upon his paying her £3.2s.5d annually during his life.

Benoni Stebbins bequeathed £200 to the schools of New Milford. Interest on this fund is still used.

New Milford sent 139 men to the Colonial Wars.

Gaylordsville School District laid out. Upper Merryall Cemetery laid out.

The Separatists or Strict Congregationalists built a house of worship near the Center Cemetery.

Second Episcopal Church erected.

School District organized.

Census taken showing 2,776 inhabitants.

New Milford sent 285 men to the Revolutionary War.

Three Brigades of the Continental Army (4,663 men) under the command of General McDougal camped for one month on Second Hill.

General Washington passed through Gaylordsville.

Jemima Wilkinson came to New Milford and held meetings in Northville.

Probate District of New Milford formed with Samuel Canfield first Judge.

Nicholas Wanzer deeded land to the Quakers, it being the same land on which the old Quaker Meeting House now stands with the burying ground adjoining. The old Quaker MeetingHouse was removed to its present site from Pickett District.

Town House-School House built at north end of Main Street.

Professor Nehemiah Strong had a private school for boys about this time.

Bridge built at Little Falls, (foot of West Street).

New Milford divided into two military divisions, line running just north of the Knapp residence. The new South Company was organized, Nathan Bostwick Captain.

A destructive tornado crossed New Milford causing much damage.

Union Circulating Library established.

Total assessment for New Milford, including Bridgewater, $75,982.04. The Merryall Plough Foundry established by Elijah Hall.

Toll bridge built at "Iron Works" in Lanesville.

Bridge built at Gaylordsville.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church organized in Bridgewater.

`New Milford Fever;' an epidemic lasting six months, claimed 99 lives.

New Milford Baptist Church organized at Northville.

The New Milford and Sherman Turnpike Company incorporated.

William Roberts settled at Gaylordsville and erected a clothing works.

A convention of delegates met to consider the advisability of building "The Housatonic Valley Canal" Funds were raised and an estimate of the expense of construction made. The enterprise failed.

A Baptist Meeting House erected near Lower Merryall burying place. Glover Sanford began making hats in Bridgewater.

The first Methodist Church organized by Rev. C. Silliman.

Union Church building erected at Gaylordsville.

A Methodist MeetingHouse erected at the Corners near the home of Capt. John Warner in Lanesville.

The New Milford Fire Company chartered, Anan Hine, Foreman.

Roswell and Sheldon Northrop started Machinery and Foundry business in Maryland District. Now carried on by The New Milford Foundry and Machine Works.

Congregational Church built.

New Milford Toll Bridge Company incorporated with liberty to erect and maintain two toll bridges.

Town Meeting appropriated $500 towards the expenses of surveying a route through the town for a railroad. Some of the residents urged its being put through Main Street but the survey proved that was not feasible.

3rd Episcopal Church building erected near present corner of Main and Church streets.

Paved watercourse twelve feet wide constructed through Village Green.

The Housatonic Railroad was opened from New Milford to Bridgeport, Daniel Marsh first Station Agent.

The New Milford Washingtonian Temperance Benevolent Society organized. Within three years 900 names were recorded as members.

Housatonic Railroad Station erected at Gaylordsville and called "Merwinsville" Solomon E. Bostwick set out first elm trees on the Village Green. Doctor George Taylor and Albert N. Baldwin appointed a committee to purchase a farm for the Town.

The New Milford Republican, published by J. K. Averill, first newspaper in New Milford. School House built at head of Village Green in place of Meeting House- SchoolHouse.

The "Housatonic Institute," a two- story academy school, erected on the present site of the New Milford Public Library.

Bank Street laid out.

First tobacco in New Milford raised by George McMahon.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church erected. Now demolished.

Committee of Arrangements for New Milford in the Litchfield County bicentennial celebration were David S. Boardman, Perry Smith, Orange Merwin, George Taylor and Royal I. - Canfield.

Bank of Litchfield County organized - with capitalization of $100,000, - Frederick G. Chittenden, President. - Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Stone took over - "Housatonic Institute"; Mrs. Stone was - a sister of Henry Ward Beecher and - Harriet Beecher Stowe.

The New Milford Brass Band organized, Earl Buckingham Leader. Smith & Erwin started manufacture of hats in New Milford. The New Milford Center Cemetery Association organized. Paper mill for the manufacture of straw pasteboard established on East Aspetuck River by Roewell H. Parker.

Bridgewater set off from New Milford as a separate town.

Beach and Canfield established. In 1957 it is the oldest industry in New Milford (The C. M. Beach Company whose owners are direct descendants of one of the original founders, Merritt Beach.

The New Milford Savings Bank organized, Eli Mygatt, President. The Housatonic Agricultural Society formed and sponsored its first fair on Middle Road, Pickett District.

Adelphic Institute removed from Cornwall, Corm. During the Civil War it was used as a military school. Seth Landon opened first Photography Gallery in New Milford.

St. Francis Xavier's Church built on Elm Street. 262 men enlisted from New Milford in the Civil War.

Water Witch Engine Company No.2 organized.

The town authorized an issue of bonds to the amount of $21,000 to meet war expenses.

Litchfield County Bank changed name to The First National Bank of New Milford, Daniel Marsh, President.

Manufacture of buttons from vegetable ivory begun by Henry S. and Walter B. Bostwick under the name of Bostwick Brothers. St. Francis Xavier Cemetery laid out.

E. A. Wildman erected the first tobacco warehouse and in that year 500 cases were packed.

The Village Improvement Society organized, John P Treadwell, President. 1872 - The Housatonic Ray (newspaper) established. It was the first newspaper in the county to employ women in the Editorical Department. Paved watercourse through the Village Green closed over.

The New Milford Water Company chartered, Charles H. Booth, President. Kindergarten school established by Mrs. Andrew Bristol, Miss Mary C. Wells, assistant. The New Milford Horse Thief and Burglar Detective Association formed.

Roger Sherman Hall erected. Cornet Bandstand erected on Village Green opposite the New England House. Town Meeting authorized committee to buy New Milford-Sherman Turn- pike Toll Bridge, New Milford Toll Bridge and Gaylordsville Toll Bridge (except tollhouses) and return them to the town for free public use.

Water Witch Engine Company No.2 changed name to Water Witch Hose Company No.2. Public School Building on East Street completed at a total cost of $11,926.98. Voted at a Town Meeting that notices of Special Town Meetings be published in some newspaper in the town.

The New Milford Gazette published with office and printing room in the basement of Town Hall. Seal of the Town of New Milford designed by Town Clerk, Russell Noble.

New Milford Christian Temperance Union formed, George C. Wells, President. Miss Mary C. Wells established kindergarten in her home. The New Milford Creamery established by Clark Hine.

Census taken showing 3,198 inhabitants. The Agricultural Society of New Milford organized, successor to The Housatonic Agricultural Society.

The New Milford Bell Telephone Company incorporated, George M. Anthony, President, with 36 subscribers in New Milford.

The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company erected a large plant at Still River. This company was incorporated at Bridgeport in 1876. The manufacture of hats by modern methods started by Messrs. J. E. Bates and S. S. Green.

Upton Post, Grand Army of the Republic organized with 26 charter members. All Saints Episcopal Church erected by Sarah Sanford Black as a memorial to her husband William D. Black. Fourth Episcopal Church, St. John's on the Green, erected on the corner of Whittelsey Avenue and Main Street.

Electric light plant established at Little Falls by Mrs. William D. Black and Levi P Giddings.

The Northville Creamery incorporated.

Board of Trade established. The New Milford Library Association incorporated, George B. Noble, President. Eastern Lounge Company established. Incorporated in 1903. Housatonic Valley Creamery Company incorporated.

The New Milford Pottery Company incorporated. All Saints Church lighted by electricity, the first Episcopal Church in Connecticut to be thus illuminated.

The great blizzard, March 13. Iron Bridge at Boardman. Miss Helen Blake's School for Young Ladies opened on Terrace Place.

The Carbonized Stone and Pipe Company incorporated. Proposition to erect Soldiers' Monument by taxation defeated in Town Meeting. Superior Court of Litchfield County held its first session in Town Hall.

The new Hose House built on Church Street. Union Chapel built, Lower Merryall.

The New Milford Pottery Company changed name to Wannopee Pottery Company, incorporated. New BandStand erected on Village Green to replace old one removed in 1888.

Lower Merryall Cemetery Association formed. Mrs. William D. Black purchased Miss Blake's School for Young Ladies and established Ingleside School.

The New Milford Electric Light Company incorporated by Lewis F Curtis, Mrs. William D. Black and Levi P Giddings. Lime kilns erected at Boardman by Charles E. Griffin.

School districts put under town management and first Town School Committee elected to replace Board of Visitors.

Voted at Town Meeting to erect new iron bridge across the Great Falls (Lover's Leap).

Memorial Hall and Library erected on site of Housatonic Institute as memorial to the soldiers and sailors of New Milford. A bronze tablet to the memory of Roger Sherman was placed on Roger Sherman Hall by Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

The New Milford Power Company incorporated. A dam was built at Bull's Bridge and a canal constructed about a mile below. At the lower end of the canal, on the border of New Milford, was a powerhouse.

Great Firemen's Parade, 1,300 men in line. First automobile seen in New Milford, April 20.

Town Court established, George H. Jackson, Judge. Advent Christian Church built on Brookside Avenue.

Great fire destroyed the business portion of the Village, May 5. New England Lime Company incorporated, taking over buildings and lime kilns erected by Charles E. Griffin in 1893.

The New Milford Canning Company incorporated, Charles M. Beach, President. Iron bridge erected over Housatonic at Bridge Street to replace covered bridge swept away. Town House built at Town Farm.

Free textbooks supplied to scholars in Public Schools by vote of Town Meeting.

Drinking fountain erected on Village Green opposite Town Hall for benefit of men, horses and dogs.

15,000 persons celebrated New Milford's bicentennial, June 18, 19, 20 and 21.

The Rocky River Power Company incorporated.

First case of fraudulent voting tried in New Milford Town Court.

The Northville Cemetery Association incorporated. The New Milford Electric Light Company purchased by V.P Staub and E. J. Emmons who instituted 24-hour service. The New Milford Chapter, American Red Cross, chartered, Charles N. Hall, Chairman.

Mrs. Isaac B. Bristol endowed bed at Danbury Hospital for use by New Mil- ford residents.

The Bennett-Merwin Silver Company incorporated. Lincoln Memorial Monument given by Capt. Edward W. Marsh. The Housatonic Valley Tobacco Company incorporated.

First Women’s Suffrage Meeting held at Town Hall.

The Bennett-Merwin Silver Company changed name to The Merwin-Wilson Silver Company.

The New Milford Historical Society incorporated. Canterbury School established.

The Robertson Bleachery & Dye Works incorporated. First Congregational Church celebrated bicentennial (1716). 51st reunion of 2nd Connecticut Artillery attended by 70 veterans of Civil War at Town Hall.

The Rocky River Power Company changed name to The Connecticut Light & Power Company. The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company changed name to The Lithowite Silex Company.

New Milford sent 187 men to World War I.

The New Milford Visiting Nurse Association organized.

Canterbury School incorporated. First airplane seen over New Milford, southbound. Under Article 19 of the Constitution of the United States 684 women were made voters. War Memorial purchased by popular subscription erected on the Village Green.

The New Milford Hospital organized. The New Milford Dairymen's League Co-Operative Association incorporated. The Upper Merryall Cemetery Association formed. First wireless radio in town installed in room at the rear of the auditorium of the Methodist Church on Elm Street.

The New Milford Hospital incorporated, Roland F. Mygatt, President.

First airplane landed at New Milford on lot above the west end of Town Bridge.

Traffic rules laid down for town streets. The New Milford Garden Club planted a community tree.

New Milford played host to 1,800 persons who came to view eclipse from the surrounding hills in subzero weather. St. John's Church and All Saints Church merged into one large St. John's Parish.

The Connecticut Light & Power Company bought The New Milford Electric Light Company.

First Church of Christ Scientist incorporated. Quaker Cemetery Association incorporated.

Town delivery of mail began. St. Francis School opened on site of old Ingleside School. United States Geographic Board gave name "Lake Candlewood" to power project of The Connecticut Light & Power Company. Mary Weaver first woman to be elected State Senator from New Milford.

Pickett District Cemetery Association incorporated. Special Town Meeting voted to permit showing of movies on Sundays.

Voting machines authorized. The New Milford Ambulance Association incorporated.

One way traffic commenced on Main and Bank streets. Chamber of Commerce incorporated to advance the commercial, industrial, agricultural and civic interests and to assist in projects for town beautification.

225th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of New Milford attended by 10,000 persons. 3,500 persons vaccinated against small pox.

The Polish National Catholic Church dedicated on Taylor Street.

Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, presented town with gavel made from Washing- ton Oak at Gaylordsville.

Sale of fireworks prohibited at Special Town Meeting. New Post Office built on Bridge Street.

Main House at Canterbury School destroyed by fire.

The New Milford Water Company built Reservoir No.4. The New Milford Visiting Nurse Association incorporated.

Board of Selectmen authorized at Town Meeting to employ full-time policeman. Old Home Day sponsored by Andrew B. Mygatt Post No.1672. First annual Children's Christmas Party sponsored by Chamber of Commerce.

The New Milford Community Park, comprised of 6.8 acres, purchased from The Connecticut Light & Power Company.

Town Park named "Lynn Deming Park" by vote of Special Town Meeting, with authorization for suitable marker. Observation Post established on Long Mountain by Ezra Woods Post No.31.

Town purchased 131/2 acres known as "Young's Field" Maggi Company started construction of new plant.

Last veteran of Civil War, Charles A. Way, died, aged 99.

Community playground sponsored by Parent-Teachers Association.

John Pettibone resigned as Superintendent of Schools after 41 years of service.

Skating rink established at Young's Field by Lions Club. New Milford sent 746 men and women to World War II.

Welcome Home celebration held for returning World War II Veterans. The New Milford Community Concert Association formed, Harold I. Hunt, President.

Maggi Company became Nestle Milk Products, In Miss Elizabeth Noble, a descendant of town founder, John Noble, resigned after 50 years as librarian at The New Milford Public Library.

Worst fire since 1902 caused much damage to Allen Block. Subsequently rebuilt. Hour limit parking went into effect on downtown streets. Citizens voted in favor of battered M-3 tank presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars being placed at south end of Village Green.

Small Claims Court established. New Milford first town in country to have automatic switches installed on street lamps.

The new New Milford Hospital on Elm Street opened to the public. Census taken showing 5,699 inhabitants in town.

Admiral Harry Knapp Memorial dedicated. The bell was from Admiral Knapp's Flagship S. S. Pittsburgh. Erected by Ezra Woods Post No.31. The Southern New England Telephone Company dedicated new building on Bridge Street. The New Milford Times purchased property on Boardman Terrace for new printing plant.

The New Milford Hospital, Inc. bought the Congregational Church Parsonage for a Nurses' Home. Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, took over care of famous Gaylordsville Oak under which General Washington is said to have stopped during his tour of the area in 1790. Community Center in Merryall dedicated with representatives from 11 countries of United Nations present.

Pyne Molding, Inc. started operation of new plant on Grove Street. Sewer Commission organized.

Veterans' Memorial Bridge over the Housatonic River dedicated. The Connecticut Light & Power Company opened its new building on Park Lane. The New Milford Public Library opened its Children's Room.

John Pettibone School, Pickett District, dedicated. Flood caused $250,000 to $300,000 damage to roads and bridges in New Milford. Power project of The Connecticut Light & Power Company named "Lake Lillinonah"

The New Milford Public Library opened first branch at John Pettibone School. The total assessment for New Milford was $27,306,172.

First traffic signal light went into operation at Main and Bridge streets. Knapp property at north end of Village Green acquired by The New Milford Historical Society by gift of the late Miss Mary Clissold Knapp.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation started construction of new plant at Pickett District. Scoville Manufacturing Company started construction of new plant near Aspetuck District.

Plans now drafted for a ten-room addition to John Pettibone School. Town marked its 250th Anniversary Celebration with a four-day festival in early July. Four Hundred citizens vote at Town Meeting to endorse continuation of municipal planning.

Harold I. Hunt retired after forty-two (42) years as New Milford High School director of music. William Blakey, Planning Chief of the Connecticut Development Commission, warned that New Milford would soon be a city.

Multi-million dollar Scovill Brass Plant put into operation.

The New Milford Board of Education approved the establishment of a "pilot class" for retarded children. Formal Dedication of new Fire House on Grove Street.

Official opening of the Circuit Court in New Milford. Kimberly-Clark Corp. announced its intention to buy the former Robertson Bleachery and Dye Works on West Street to provide manufacturing facilities for a subsidiary of Kimberly- Stevens Corporation.

Direct-dialing telephone service began in New Milford. Cornerstone of the new Trinity Luther- a Church on Route 7 North was laid in place. Andrew 3. Nearing, New Milford Fire Association Chief of Police, retired after having served as a Constable since 1916.

Water Witch Hose Co. #2 completes first century of service marked by a parade witnessed by 5,000 persons. The new New Milford High School dedicated on Sunny Valley Road. Board of Education approves fourteen- room addition to John Pettibone School.

Officer H. Kenneth Couch drowns in the Housatonic River. The first New Milford Police Officer to die in the line of duty.

A delegation from New Milford visited San Miguel, El Salvador, as part of cultural sister-city program. Plans announced for a new $180,000 medical center on Old Park Lane Road.

Frank A. Harden leaves an estate in the Lanesville section to the Town of New Milford as a park (Harrybrooke Park), and provides one million dollars for upkeep. The town's first sanitary code is enacted. New Milford becomes the first town to have its lights back on during the great blackout that struck the eastern United States and Canada. Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance agree to establish post of Town Controller. Weantinoge Heritage incorporated. A land trust based in New Milford to p~ serve undeveloped land.

Robert Erva Berry, killed near Quang Tn, Republic of Vietnam, becomes New Milford's lone casualty of the Vietnam Conflict. Addition to Town Hall named Howard H. Peck Annex in honor of long-time Town Clerk. Study Committee appointed to formulate a Building and Electrical Code for the town. Francis C. Cignoli appointed town's first Controller. Mrs. Norma Lord named town's first Social Worker. Ground broken for the new Hill and Plain Elementary School.

Dr. Howard G. Stevens, M.D., resigns as School Physician after over forty (40) years of service.

Town Meeting adopts the state basic building code. New Milford Hospital launches fund drive to establish six-bed intensive care unit. First gift of land for park purposes becomes Baldwin Park in Northville. A gift of Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Baldwin.

James Mancusi becomes New Milford's first Chief of Police. Marathon House, Inc, a drug addiction rehabilitation center, opens in Gaylordaville. An appropriation approved at Town Meeting for the restoration of the historic Gaylordsville School.

Howard Peck retired as Town Clerk after serving 32 years. Richard Gebhardt was sworn in on January 5. Golden's Department Store, a New Milford landmark on Bank Street, closed after 70 years of business. Railroad passenger service was discontinued effective May 25, 1970. Zoning in New Milford approved by a narrow margin on May 2, 1970. Ground broken for Temple Sholom Synagogue on Route 7 on June 19, 1970.

Town zoning effective 12/1/71. Mental Health Clinic established at New Milford Hospital. Kimberly-Clark water cleansing sys- tem installed to protect Housatonic River. Shopping Center permit issued - would contain Grant's and Barker's on Route 7 South. Dedication of new Roman Catholic Church, St. Francis Xavier, on Route 109. Set of new bleachers, to seat 750, built at Young's Field. Edward Dolan of South Kent donated old Merwinsville Station Hotel to Gay- lordsville for restoration.

New Milford's first Day Care Center established. New Christian Science Church construction to start on Main and Bridge streets. New Milford Historical Society acquires Brown's Forge, Gaylordsville, donated with 1A acre of land by Mrs. James Anderson. New Milford added to Housatonic Valley Planning Region. New Milford population up to 14,601.

First zoning enforcement officer hired by town. In April, town voted in plans to build a new sewage treatment plant. Adult Education Plan enacted by the School administration. New Milford featured in the December issue of Redbook Magazine. Story was on a "Charming New England Town:'

St. Francis Xavier Grammar School closed in June.

Design presented for new Lover's Leap Bridge. Cable TV came to New Milford. Lee House on the Green purchased by Ruth Henderson for restoration. New Milford Bank & Trust buys St. Francis Xavier Church parking lot on the corner of Bennett and Main streets. Bill passed allowing private operation of railroad line from New Milford to Canaan, CT. Route #25 becomes Route #202 from Danbury to Avon, CT. Former St. Francis Xavier School used for religious instruction.

A proposal to construct a multi-million dollar dog racing track on Route #7 was defeated. September brought damaging flood to town, leaving $800,000 damage in New Milford.

Ground broken for new Kimberly-Clark Corporation paper mill in Pickett District. New Milford celebrated our country's bicentennial from April 24-September 12, climaxing with the largest parade in the town's history.

Charles H. Marsh Memorial Bridge dedicated at Lover's Leap in Still River district. Jeanne Garvey announces candidacy on Independent ticket, the first woman to ever run for First Selectman. Republican Clifford Chapin sworn in as Selectman and would be the last to serve in that capacity. Board of Selectmen unanimously approved plan for addition to Public Library amounting to $664,000.

Nestle's plant was second largest in town to unionize; Century Brass was the first. New Milford Hospital opens new wing, including intensive care unit. Kimberly-Clark plans to expand local mill. First blizzard in 20 years struck New Milford.

Commission on the Arts contemplates buying the New Milford Railroad Station. Five local churches reach out to help relocate Vietnamese refugees (boat people). $4.85 million voted for building and equipping an elementary school on Hipp Road, Northville.

Merryall Heritage Committee formed to preserve the character of the Merryall section of New Milford. James Terrell resigns from the Board of Selectmen, due to ill health. He was the first black man to have served on Board.

Two bandits robbed Colonial Bank and Trust Company, Park Lane Branch, $15,969.00 was taken. A new weekly newspaper, The Litchfield County Times, is established with offices in New Milford. Town purchases Railroad Station and 6.5 adjoining acres for $160,000 and plans to restore Railroad Station as a center for the arts.

New Milford Shopping Plaza sold to FNM Trust of Boston for $4,840,140. New Northville Elementary School opened 1/5/82. 275th anniversary of town, month of July, celebrations and special events. "New Milford Past & Present;' a one- semester elective course offered at New Milford High School. Housatonic River flood forces residents of Spring Street and Housatonic Avenue to evacuate homes; worst flooding since 1955. Old Marsh house at corner of Bennitt Street and Aspetuck Avenue completely gutted by fire in January. Administrative offices of New Milford school system moved to East Street building, formerly the New Milford High School and later used for elementary grades. Blizzard - the worst since the 1978 storm. Remodeling and restoration of stores and business buildings on Bank, Railroad and Main streets. HART (Housatonic Area Regional Transit System) bus system established within town and to Danbury area. Nonwoven factory shutdown.