It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The Glass House, National Trust for Historic Preservation gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Canaan, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work and truly cares about the people she is in contact with. She is dedicated, diligent, and is devoted to her job assignment. She not only takes care of my Mom, but she goes above and beyond her call of duty. Bessie has a unique ability to connect with every person she meets. No day goes by that my Mom is not pampered. Bessie make sure she's always comfortable. She makes exceptional meals for her 3 times a day, cleans her clothes, gives her showers, washes her hair and makes her look amazing every single day. Bessie is so beneficial to our family we can't imagine our family without her. I myself and my family members could never do what she does for our Mom. She has been with my mom and our family for almost 1 year and we don't know what we would do without her, she truly is a gift from God. She not only takes care of my Mom daily, nightly and weekly, she also takes care of her personal life and whatever life throws at her. She is a devoted caretaker and should be recognized with the utmost respect. Her dedication to improving the health and well-being of my Mom is commendable. You can't find anyone as special as she. Her life commitment has touched our lives through her delivery of exceptional care in a compassionate, respectful, and safe manner on a daily basis. She has become a member of our family and she has shown us the meaning of adaptability. Her strong faith in God, Forgiveness, and Believing in each other makes her the great person that she is. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and services your company has provided to us. Thank you for all you do”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of Always Best Care for the outstanding service you have provided for our parents. ABC provided professional, first-class support that allowed our parents to remain in their home while relieving of us of concern for their care and is something we will never forget. You can be sure we will happily refer any family member or friend that is seeking care at home to Always Best Care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company, Always Best Care, offered our family and especially the caring, loving attitude that Amber and Natalie displayed to Carol at all times. They were outstanding and you should be proud to place them in any situation with the full expectation they will represent your firm in a most professional manner. Thanks again for all your help.”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Waveny Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local 5Diamond Restaurant at Winvian Farm or visit Falls Village Canaan Historic Soc, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Canaan, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Canaan, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Canaan, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The town has announced some upcoming parking changes aimed at reducing traffic congestion in downtown New Canaan.NEW CANAAN, CT — The town has announced some upcoming parking changes aimed at reducing traffic congestion in downtown New Canaan.According to the town website, in an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the downtown business district and have more parking spots available more often, the town is introducing changes to the ...
NEW CANAAN, CT — The town has announced some upcoming parking changes aimed at reducing traffic congestion in downtown New Canaan.
According to the town website, in an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the downtown business district and have more parking spots available more often, the town is introducing changes to the parking system on Elm Street, South Avenue, Park Street, and the Park Street Lot.
These changes are expected to take effect in mid-to-late August, according to the town.
The following parking changes were announced by the town of New Canaan:
Elm Street
Parking on Elm Street between Main Street and Park Street is changing from free to paid.
Spots will be available in 30-minute increments. The 2-hour limit remains the same.
Expected Benefit
Reduced traffic congestion on Elm Street is expected since fewer drivers will circle in search of a parking spot. And, parking spots are expected to be open and available more often since more visitors to downtown will opt for the free parking spots off Elm Street.
South Avenue
Parking on South Avenue between Cherry Street and Elm Street will change from free to paid.
Spots will be available in 30-minute increments. 2-hour limit remains the same.
Why
This section of downtown South Avenue is directly linked to the traffic congestion on Elm Street.
Park Street Lot
Parking spaces in the Park Street Lot are changing from paid to free. The lot is right behind The Playhouse and other Elm Street buildings and has two walkways with direct access to Elm Street. Along with the change to free parking, the lot is being redesigned to improve the vehicle circulation, and the parking spaces will be widened.
Three-hour limit remains the same.
The walkway between The Playhouse movie theater and Le Pain Quotidien will now include an accessible ramp for wheelchairs, strollers and deliveries. Additionally, there will be a new loading zone at the top of that walkway for truck deliveries, which will reduce truck traffic and double-parked trucks on Elm Street.
Benefit
These parking lot spaces that are changing from paid to free will outnumber the parking spaces on Elm Street and South Avenue that arechanging from free to paid.
Park Street
Seven spaces on Park Street – 3 in front of Park Street stores and 4 just north of Elm Street near the entrance of the Park Street Lot – will remain free parking and have the time limit shortened to 15 minutes.
Why
This provides for quick, in-and-out shopping with no parking fee.
How Will the Parking Work?
For ease and convenience, parkers on Elm and South may pay at any of the soon-to-be-installed pay stations simply by entering the vehicle registration plate number and using either a parking app, bank card, or coins. This is known as Pay-By-Plate.
Parking in the free Park Street lot does not involve any meter machines. It is simply park-and-go.
What Is Not Changing
Parking spaces on Main Street between Cherry Street and Locust Avenue remain free of charge with a 2-hour limit.
There are over 200 parking spaces that remain free of charge just one block from Elm and Main – on Burtis Avenue, Cherry Street, Forest Street, Locust Avenue, and Morse Court.
Residents can sign up to receive email or text notices throughout the year about New Canaan Parking matters, including permits, lot closures, street parking, changes in parking regulations and parking fees, at newcanaanalerts.gov.
New Canaan has expanded its communications outreach to include notifications about town parking, according to town officials.NEW CANAAN, CT — Town officials announced this week New Canaan has expanded its communications outreach to include notifications about town parking.According to a news release provided by the town, this has been added to the New Canaan Alerts program launched in April 2024 that includes the first selectman's newsletter, information about emergencies, road closures, tree work, police activity, fire...
NEW CANAAN, CT — Town officials announced this week New Canaan has expanded its communications outreach to include notifications about town parking.
According to a news release provided by the town, this has been added to the New Canaan Alerts program launched in April 2024 that includes the first selectman's newsletter, information about emergencies, road closures, tree work, police activity, fire prevention, local health issues and more.
Residents who want to receive notices about parking permits, lot closures, street parking, changes in parking regulations, parking fees or any of the town matters listed above can sign up on the town website.
Every local resident and businessperson is urged to visit the town website, register contact information and select the topics of information they would like to receive from the town.
Residents may choose to receive the alerts by email or text. Voice phone calls are used only during true emergencies and disasters, according to town officials.
Those who wish to sign up can do so here.
Once a resident has registered, they can change their selections, delete their account or unsubscribe at any time, town officials said.
NEW CANAAN — The largest of three controversial affordable housing developments may have a path forward after repeated rejections from New Canaan officials.On July 1, the Superior Court of Hartford overruled the New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission’s rejection of the 102-unit affordable housing development at 751 Weed St., a major victory for the b...
NEW CANAAN — The largest of three controversial affordable housing developments may have a path forward after repeated rejections from New Canaan officials.
On July 1, the Superior Court of Hartford overruled the New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission’s rejection of the 102-unit affordable housing development at 751 Weed St., a major victory for the building's controversial developer Karp Associates.
The New Canaan-based firm, led by Arnold Karp, is pushing forward with three affordable housing developments in New Canaan after town officials denied all three.
“It’s disappointing that the town made it such an issue,” Karp said. "Now we’ve got an approval and a go-ahead (on Weed Street), and that’s exactly what we will do.”
Karp Associates Chief Operating Officer Paul Stone said the victory felt like a “symbolic step in the right direction” for housing development in the wake of Gov. Ned Lamont’s veto of sweeping housing legislation following outcry from municipalities, including local control advocates in New Canaan.
With 31 affordable units included as part of the Weed Street development, the project falls under the controversial state housing law 8-30g, by which towns that do not have 10% of their housing inventory classified as affordable cannot outright deny a development in which 30% of its units are affordable, unless the threat to public health or safety overrides the need for affordable housing.
The Planning and Zoning Commission rejected the 751 Weed St. application for a text amendment, zone change and site plan in November 2022 and a revised and resubmitted version in March 2023, both times citing fire safety, pedestrian safety and stormwater management as its main concerns.
Peter Gelderman, an attorney representing the Planning and Zoning Commission did not respond to a request for comment, nor did commission chair Dan Radman.
In a 98-page memorandum of decision, Judge Edward O’Hanlan refuted all of the claims in the commission’s denial, saying the development plan met applicable fire codes and legitimate concerns, improved pedestrian safety along Elm and Weed streets and followed sound engineering practices in its stormwater management system.
In its denial, the commission claimed the building’s fire safety issues included lack of a third center stairwell for emergency access and insufficient fire department staffing based on testimony from former Westport Fire Chief Andrew Kingsbury.
However, O’Hanlan said the staffing choice of six full-time firefighters was one the town made, not the developer, and the town is able to use both its volunteer firefighters and mutual aid from neighboring communities. He added that recommendations like the stairwell were not required by fire code.
As for stormwater management, the commission claimed “material risks to persons, property and health could be created” because it “may not adequately capture stormwater.”
One of the main issues stemmed from the development plans to increase the size of a pipe that lies in an easement held by a private property owner and not the developer.
O’Hanlan said the commission’s denial over risks that “could” occur was “speculation about unproven events,” which is not the statement of fact needed to deny an 8-30g development.
He took particular issue with the commission’s reliance on an expert hired by intervening neighbors, who claimed the development’s stormwater management system could not adequately address runoff volumes or water quality. However, the judge found that the consultant never provided calculations to support his claims or refute calculations from the development’s engineer Leonard D’Andrea.
O’Hanlan also noted how the developer’s changes to the plan earned eventual approval from Town Engineer Maria Coplit and peer reviewer Joseph Canas.
As for resizing the pipe to accommodate stormwater management needs, O’Hanlan said the easement issue falls outside the authority of the commission. The issue will be resolved depending on the outcome of the homeowners’ lawsuit against the developer.
With regard to pedestrian safety, the commission claimed the developer "refused to make reasonable changes" including building a sidewalk at the developer's own expense between the property and Kimberly Place, saying it would connect pedestrian access to downtown and prevent jaywalking across Elm Street east of the intersection with Weed Street.
The developer agreed to build a sidewalk in front of the building down to a crosswalk that would allow safe access to the sidewalk across the street but asked the town to build the remainder of the requested sidewalk, which the commission balked at.
O’Hanlan said the commission provided “no valid legal basis” to require the developer to build the new sidewalk and called claims the sidewalk would improve conditions or that residents would not walk a few hundred feet to the safe crosswalk “pure speculation." In his conclusion, he remanded the commission remove the proposed sidewalk from the site plan.
Litigation is still ongoing for Karp Associates' other two 8-30g developments.
In April, the court sided with Karp over the proposed 93-unit housing development at 17 and 23 Hill St. after New Canaan's Water Pollution Control Authority denied it, though the case against the Planning and Zoning Commission's rejection is not yet decided.
The developer is appealing the court's decision to uphold the commission's rejection of its proposed development at 51 Main St., known locally as the Red Cross Building.
NEW CANAAN — As the new fiscal year begins this July 1, taxes for New Canaan residents will be lower than originally expected.On June 10, the New Canaan Board of Finance set the town’s official mill rate at 16.691 for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, lower than the anticipated rate from April when the Town Council approved ...
NEW CANAAN — As the new fiscal year begins this July 1, taxes for New Canaan residents will be lower than originally expected.
On June 10, the New Canaan Board of Finance set the town’s official mill rate at 16.691 for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, lower than the anticipated rate from April when the Town Council approved New Canaan’s $181 million budget.
The updated mill rate comes from a forecasted $8 million surplus at the end of the 2025 fiscal year, which, according to Board of Finance chair Todd Lavieri, is “one of our biggest.”
According to Lavieri, the town is expected to spend about $800,000 less than planned in the current budget while revenues came in $7.2 million higher than its initial $4-5 million surplus that the town budgeted a year ago.
“By delivering a budget surplus of $8 million this year, we are able to return $5.75 million of that back to the taxpayers by reducing the amount required to be raised by taxes, with the remaining $2.25 million balance of the surplus being assigned to our 'rainy day' general fund,” Lavieri said in a news release.
When the New Canaan Town Council approved the budget in April, the estimated mill rate for 2025-26 was 16.767, about a 3.86% increase from the current 16.144 mill rate.
The new mill rate of 16.691 is now a 3.39% increase from the current mill rate. This means New Canaan taxpayers will be paying about $16.69 per every $1,000 of property value.
The town will raise approximately $164 million from taxation in the upcoming year, a 3.76% increase from the current year. The town initially anticipated raising $164.8 from taxation, up 4.24%.
New Canaan's $181 million budget, about a 3.5% increase from the current year, includes about $43.8 million for the town's operating expenses and $113.8 million for the Board of Education.
"Many thanks to all who participated in the budget process and were committed to funding our departments to meet the needs of our community while being sensitive to the inflationary environment we face,” First Selectman Dionna Carlson said in a news release.
NEW CANAAN — Silver Hill Hospital was recently granted a $5.5 million donation, the largest in the New Canaan-based hospital's 94-year history.The donation, gifted by a family of past and current volunteers, will go toward services including providing financial aid, renovations at the hospital and supporting staff.Founded in 1931, Silver Hill Hospital is a nonprofit hospital dedicated to diagnosing and treating adol...
NEW CANAAN — Silver Hill Hospital was recently granted a $5.5 million donation, the largest in the New Canaan-based hospital's 94-year history.
The donation, gifted by a family of past and current volunteers, will go toward services including providing financial aid, renovations at the hospital and supporting staff.
Founded in 1931, Silver Hill Hospital is a nonprofit hospital dedicated to diagnosing and treating adolescents and adults with psychiatric and addiction disorders. The New Canaan campus provides inpatient, residential and intensive outpatient treatment and, in January, the hospital announced its expansion to a second location for intensive outpatient treatment in midtown Manhattan.
The donation represents not only the family’s generosity, Silver Hill President and Medical Director Andrew Gerber said, but “where we are as a society in terms of valuing treatment for mental health care.”
“We're able to talk about and focus on the problems in mental health and addiction more so than in probably ever in history,” Gerber said. “That stigma is, even though it's a slow process, getting better, and every generation we're better able to talk about depression and anxiety and trauma and all the things that you really need to talk about in society.”
Gerber said the donor family is one “we've come to know over the last several years,” choosing to remain anonymous so they can continue their involvement with the hospital.
“They care closely about the mission of the hospital and our ability, then, to help more people, including those who ... can't afford to get really high-quality care,” Gerber said.
Using the donated funds, the hospital will double the amount of money it dedicates to its patient financial aid program, providing $2 million to help patients with need cover out-of-pocket costs.
Some of the funds will also be dedicated for renovations to its wellness center, the Martin Center, to make it more of a “true community wellness center” for the hospital’s patients.
The third item agreed on by both the hospital and donor was dedicated funding for staff compensation and development, including “making sure that they're incentivized and can grow and go back to school,” Gerber said.
“One of the things that I admire so much about the family (is) they get that, and so they wanted a part of this, supporting our staff,” he said.
This marks the largest gift in the hospital's history, with the previous largest donation being $1.2 million, according to Gerber.
However, for those who can’t grant millions toward the hospital’s work, Gerber said any donation is helpful, and community members can give back in other ways through volunteering or becoming more informed on mental health and addiction and public policies around them.
Through donations and involved families like this donor, Gerber said he believed there can be tremendous progress toward the treatment of mental illness and addiction, especially at a time with so many societal stressors affecting people and communities.
“When you get a gift like this, it made me feel, personally, I can’t give up, that we need to keep doing this work, and there are other people out there who are going to support it,” Gerber said. “To me, it’s as good an encouragement and energy boost that I could ever ask for.”
860-261-4405
