Patricia Murphy, New Milford's Republican mayor who, by a 3-1 ratio, easily won a fourth term in the municipal elections this week (see related story), was hard to beat because there was no compelling reason to do so, according to political observers, but they don't have any easy answers as to why five Democratic incumbents were nudged out of four major boards.

New Milford Republicans, with Patricia Murphy leading the ticket to win, by a 3-1 ratio, a fourth term as mayor, not only held their own but wrested five seats from Democratic incumbents on major boards as well in the municipal elections this week (see story above).

Bill Davidson, a former long­time Republican, noted consensus-builder and versatile municipal official who held neighborhood meetings across town since this summer, captured an ambitious three-man race for first selectman in Brookfield, marking the first time in 24 years that a Democratic nominee has won that office.

Incoming Brookfield First Selectman Bill Davidson, 68, has been noted through the years for being a bi-partisan municipal official, exhibiting effective communication skills, and having an affinity for Lake Lillinonah, riding bicycles and cheering for the Philadelphia Phillies, whom he has been watching since their days at Shibe Park.

It appears that a small section on the southern portion of a Route 7 parcel that has been billed as "New Milford's largest retail center" might be under construction before the subfreezing temperatures arrive, since municipal officials resolved issues with the State Traffic Commission (STC).

The Brookfield Zoning Com­mission members made an effort last week to educate the public about the board's powers and the need to reach "fact-based" decisions by discussing the state laws that they work under and their inability to approve applications, for example, "because Brookfield needs the taxes."

Republican Patricia Murphy won a fourth term as mayor of New Milford.

Democrat William Davidson won in a three-man race for first selectman in Brookfield.

Following are preliminary election results for several area towns. The information will be updated as results become available.

Katelyn Courtney, left, packages a cocoa mix as Liana Swarzburt waits her turn during a Little Culinary House of Horrors cooking class for kids at The Silo Cooking School in New Milford.

Count Dracula, aka Elijah Cantu, 3, in a program last Wednesday at the Brookfield Library.

Polls will be open on November 3, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Following are polling places for Brookfield and New Milford.

New Milford First presented the Town Council this week with more than 550 petition signatures from residents seeking that it move beyond the "current obstacles" and schedule a special town meeting to consider a proposed $7.998 million renovation that would add 10,159 square feet to an "overcrowded" library.

Danbury attorney Thomas Beecher, the Brookfield co-counsel, has praised the work of land-use enforcement officer Bill Schappert and Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Marty Flynn in helping to win a state Supreme Court decision regarding a cease-and-desist order that had been challenged by a company that had been reportedly engaging in the improper storage of "logs and land-clearing equipment on its property."

Gathered atop a small hill in Washington, as the sun shone and the fall foliage glimmered in the distance, a crowd of 300 people bid farewell to Cody Montana, the 16-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short last week.

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele (R-Stamford) told New Milford businessmen this week that Connecticut, which entered the national recession later than most other states, has had declining tax revenues through the first quarter of the fiscal year that began in July and that the state government might have to develop a deficit-mitigation plan.

State Rep. Clark Chapin (R-New Milford) said that after conferring with New Milford attorney Randall DiBella, the town counsel, he plans to ask the General Assembly's Environment Committee to revise the state Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) aquifer protection regulations that appear to be in conflict regarding "the grandfathering of activities" by municipal commissions.

Brookfield High School (BHS) Principal Bryan Luizzi said that the block-scheduling format, which began at the beginning of the academic year Aug. 31, has exceeded expectations as students and teachers have indicated they benefit from the 83-minute periods, which provide options for more in-depth learning.