NEW BRIDGE FOR ARENA. The Town Board of Middletown Voted to Purchase – Groton Bridge Company Gets the Job. The Town board of Middletown met Tuesday at the office of M.H. Dean and voted to buy a new iron bridge to put in place of the condemned covered bridge across the East Branch at Arena. The new bridge will cost $6,000, payable $1,500 annually on the first day of February until the whole amount is paid. The new bridge is to be completed on or before February 1, 1904. The vote on the question of contracting to buy a new bridge resulted. Alyes—Dickson, Jackson, Dean, Hubble, Noes – Gladstone, Mayes. The board contracted with Mr. Miller representing the Groton Bridge company for the new bridge. The board also approved the contract made by Highway Commissioner Hewitt with David Hammond to rebuild the abutments of the Arena bridge. This work is already going on. Submitted by Harriett Schultz, October 2003 - from 100 yrs ago – Feb 9/17/03