Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R-Brookfield) said after cutting the ribbon on the $105 million Route 7 bypass this week that the 2.1-mile highway, which she initially sought money for during her first term in the state House, will provide an economic boost for Brookfield by paving the way for the establishment of the 198-acre pedestrian-friendly Village District that will encourage residents to shop in an area that some of them had avoided because of bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Bond was set at $1 million in the case of a New York City man accused of stabbing his estranged wife four times in front of their children at her New Milford home Saturday afternoon.

Resident Rolf Enger, who in recent years has made recommendations to the Brookfield Board of Education on how it could save money in its operations, said at a forum last week that Superintendent of Schools Anthony Bivona and his administrative team have done "a terrific job" of increasing productivity.

It appears that economic development, farmland pre­ser­vation, school financial resources, renovations to the public library and passenger rail service will be among the areas of focus for the New Milford Town Council during the term that will start Nov. 30 when its nine members, in addition to other New Milford municipal officials, are sworn in for a new term.

Bryan Kiefer, the director of finance and development at the Canterbury School in New Milford, said that a campaign that began two years ago has already netted $45 million that has financed major capital improvements and will now be largely devoted to financial assistance and providing more resources for the prestigious prep school's faculty.

New Milford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1672 Commander James Delancy said that the local veterans groups were able to secure sponsors for 550 white bags, with the names of veterans written on them, that were placed on Village Green this week to raise money for Soldier On, which has facilities in Northampton and Pittsfield, Mass., that provide help to a combined 263 homeless veterans.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R-Brookfield), who started her political career at a local Republican women's club tea nearly 40 years ago and eventually became the most popular state chief executive in the country, announced this week that she would not seek another term in a job that she ascended to after her predecessor became em­broiled in a scandal.

The New Milford Town Council this week rejected three motions, each on 5-4 party line votes, to suspend the rules and send forward the $7.998 million library renovation plan to the residents, with some members from the Republican majority indicating that the associated costs connected to the project and the fiscal impact need to be determined before the project goes to a townwide vote.

Departing Brookfield First Selectman Robert Silvaggi said that one of the chief goals for municipal and business leaders over the coming years will be finding occupants for the more than "100 stores" that are currently empty, largely as a result of the economic recession that began nearly two years ago.

There's no need for panic, but as part of a preventative measure, Region 12 Superintendent Bruce Storm announced Tuesday that the district was closing its four campuses Thursday, Nov. 12, and Friday, Nov. 13, to break a possible influx of the H1N1 influenza virus.

Maureen McLaughlin, the new assistant superintendent of schools in New Milford, said that, among other things, she will emphasis data analysis of student performance, an area that the state Department of Education has made a higher priority in recent years.