Home Care In Morris, CT

The Town of Morris is one of eight Connecticut communities which shall receive a portion of $12.1 million in state grants.

Officials in the town of Morris say the Small Cities Grant enables the construction of the first affordable multi-family homes operated by Morris Housing Authority.

The funds are integral to the construction and, had they not been awarded, the town would have likely tried again for the Community Development Block Grant next year, according to Morris Housing Authority Executive Director James Simoncelli Jr.

“It's instrumental in the start of the work on the land, getting through town approvals was the first important step, now we have money to kind of do the next phase,” Simoncelli said. “The town hired a housing consultant firm and they kind of spearheaded the application itself. It's very, very involved with environmental studies, with proposed plans, with estimated budget numbers.”

The funds will go toward the first phase of infrastructure work. That work includes digging for wells and septic systems that will serve two affordable multi-family homes on East Street. With four units in each home, a total of 24 people can be housed, Simoncelli said.

Plans for the homes were approved by the town earlier this month. A timeline for project completion and construction costs are undetermined as it’s in the early stages, Simoncelli said.

The homes will be on a plot adjacent to existing senior housing run by the Housing Authority. The land was purchased by the Authority using some of the town’s American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

One of the town’s goals is to draw in more young residents, to keep pace with surrounding communities.

“One of the things in the housing plan for Morris was to have just affordable housing units, we wanted to, you know, kind of follow through with that, attract younger families to Morris,” Simoncelli said. “The surrounding towns is very similar, where they're aging communities. So, to offer affordable housing, potentially to young families, is the direction we want to go.”

Windsor, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield, are among the other towns to receive millions to rehabilitate senior and affordable housing. Eligible projects must be in a municipality with less than 50,000 residents.

The application process for the fund includes an application review and scoring process, according to Department of Housing (DOH) spokesperson Aaron Turner.

Reviewers include DOH and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority asset managers for public housing projects, along with recommendations made to the DOH Commissioner.

The Stamford-based company announced a partnership to support female economic empowerment and equality through entrepreneurship.

Patch Staff

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford-based Philip Morris International (PMI) this week announced the launch of an extended partnership via its U.S. business to support female empowerment with a record-setting $5 million investment in the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC).

The WBDC, which is also in Stamford, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing tools and resources to help women entrepreneurs thrive in business throughout Connecticut.

Beginning January 2025, in coordination with WBDC, PMI’s U.S. business will contribute $1 million per year over five years toward the "Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative" (WEEI) to help remove barriers that prevent women from full participation in Connecticut’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"Philip Morris International is committed to making a positive impact throughout Connecticut communities and beyond. Our partnership with WBDC and investment through the ‘Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative’ enables us to better support Gov. Ned Lamont’s vision of positioning our state as a catalyst for women and their families," said Stacey Kennedy, president, Americas Region & CEO of PMI’s U.S. business, in a news release.

"As the first multinational to receive Global EQUAL-SALARY Certification, we believe supporting female empowerment and ensuring economic equality is paramount for our collective economic growth. We encourage other companies to join in the initiative to empower females across the state. We have chosen to partner with WBDC because of their 27-year track record as the leading force for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship and a driver of economic equity across Connecticut," Kennedy added.

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Since 1997, WBDC has educated and trained more than 18,900 clients in all of Connecticut’s 169 towns— helping women to launch, sustain, and scale more than 14,170 businesses, create and maintain more than 31,400 jobs, and access more than $57 million in capital.

This support from PMI will ensure the continuity of the vital services WBDC provides and will allow the WBDC to build a legacy thousands of female entrepreneurs in Connecticut can rely on for years to come.

"This investment from PMI will enable us to continue the critical work we do to support economic independence through entrepreneurship for women in Connecticut," said WBDC CEO Fran Pastore in a news release.

"We are pleased that PMI has trusted us to use these funds to continue to help women access capital, education, and resources to support themselves and fuel employment within our state," Pastore said. "Over the past few years, we have seen a 275 percent increase in the number of women who come to us seeking to launch or scale their business. Without the support of corporations in our community like PMI, this growth, and the growth we anticipate in the future, would not be possible."

In attendance at this week's announcement was Gov. Ned Lamont; U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (D-4); Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz; Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and other PMI and WBDC officials.

"Investments in female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses are investments in the future of Connecticut," Lamont said in a news release. "From our efforts to advance pay equity, to enacting a paid family medical leave program, to safeguarding healthcare services and increasing access to childcare so that women who enter the workforce can not only stay in the workforce, but advance as leaders and entrepreneurs, these are just some of the reasons Connecticut is one of the best states in the nation to live, work, and raise a family."

STAMFORD – Robert “Rex” Morris, who has served as interim fire chief for three months, is the city’s new permanent chief, Mayor Caroline Simmons announced Monday.

Morris has commanded Stamford’s five volunteer fire companies since 2014, when he was named assistant chief of volunteer services. Before that, Morris had a distinguished career with the Fire Department of New York, including time as captain of an elite rescue unit in Manhattan.

“With a career in the fire service that spans over 50 years, I am confident that Chief Morris has the qualifications, expertise, and professionalism to lead the Stamford Fire Department, and I look forward to working with him in this permanent capacity,” Simmons said in an emailed announcement.

The appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Representatives, which on Jan. 2 voted unanimously to extend Morris’s acting chief status for 60 days.

Simmons named Morris acting chief on Oct. 2, the day former Chief Trevor Roach retired after more than 36 years with the Stamford Fire Department. Roach was chief for eight years.

Morris, who was born in Stamford, started his fire service as a volunteer with the Belltown Fire Department on Dorlen Road.

“I am proud and honored to be placed in command of such a great organization,” Morris said in Simmons’ statement. “I want to thank the officers and members of the Stamford Fire Department for their support during my interim time and especially to Mayor Simmons for her support and confidence in me.”

The statement said the mayor’s office “conducted an extensive search and lengthy interview process that consisted of internal and external candidates for the position.”

Public Safety Director Lou DeRubeis said he looks forward to working with “Morris, the fire command staff, and the men and women of the Stamford Fire Department as we continue to enhance fire operations and safety.”

In November Morris appeared before the city’s elected boards to make a case for a provision in the new firefighters contract that doubles the number of deputy chiefs, and their aides, from one set per shift to two sets, for an additional $1.1 million per year.

The fire department has to catch up with the city, which is growing at the fastest pace in the state, Morris told elected officials.

“A firefighter in this city has to be able to operate in a high-rise apartment building, and also be able to set up a rural water supply in North Stamford, bringing in tankers from other districts,” Morris said during a board meeting. “It’s a very unique situation. But … firefighting has kept static as the city has grown.”

Deputy chiefs respond to incidents when three or more fire companies are called because they are needed to establish command, which is crucial to good outcomes, Morris said.

The 12 largest cities in New England have two deputy chiefs on duty at all times, and most have three, Morris said. Stamford has one. So it often takes a deputy chief more time to respond, and there are more firefighters to manage on scene, Morris said.

He told elected officials that the Stamford Fire Department responds to about 12,000 incidents a year, and deputy chiefs are called to about 2,000.

Stamford has roughly 60 structure fires a year, and with a deputy chief establishing command, firefighters can knock one down in 20 minutes, Morris said.

The last time the fire department increased staffing was 2016, even as buildings have become increasingly complicated, he said. “Complexity of buildings is what I think about all the time,” Morris told elected officials.

He joined the Fire Department of New York in 1973, worked in all five boroughs, earned more than two dozen meritorious awards, and ended his career there as captain and company commander of Rescue Co. 1, a unit specially trained for complex rescue operations.

Stamford now has “more buildings taller than five stories than any two cities in the state,” and “one of the highest numbers of tall buildings in all of New England,” Morris told elected officials.

“I came from the fire department in New York City,” Morris said. “We have to think that way now.”

For 36 years prior to joining the Connecticut Examiner, Angela Carella was a beat reporter, investigative reporter, editor and columnist for the Stamford Advocate. Carella reports on Stamford and Fairfield County. T: 203 722 6811.

A truck serving barbecue-inspired tacos, a "wickedly creative" ice cream shop and a 1950s Chevy-turned-mobile-bar and grill are teaming up to debut at Litchfield County's first food truck park this summer.

South Farms in Morris will introduce Pasture, a food truck experience, on June 15 at the intersection of Routes 63 and 109. Farm owner Ben Paletsky has partnered with three businesses to vend at the farm for four days a week this summer: TA-que, a taco truck by the team behind Millwright's in Simsbury; Grassroots Ice Cream, which opened its second location in New Milford this spring; and Iron & Grain, a renovated 1959 Chevy Viking with a wood-fired grill and built-in draft beer system.

"For us, this is a really exciting experiment," Paletsky said. "I think agritourism is going to be a cornerstone to keeping farms viable, and we're trying to push the envelope and try new things, and be leaders in that sector. I think we can say we're pathfinding all these different things. I think people are seeing all the benefits it yields, which is great. This is the whole intention, to build community."

South Farms has become known for its wedding and event business, and Paletsky said he wanted to make the property more accessible to the community. The farm also hosts South Farms Social, a Thursday night event series with food trucks, drinks and live music during the summer months, but Paletsky said he wanted to create a different version of that to host more guests Friday through Sunday when the farm is otherwise booked for private events.

The farm made headlines in 2020 when it hosted a series of outdoor, socially-distanced concerts and comedy shows during the pandemic, attracting high-profile acts like Dinosaur Jr., Pete Davidson and John Mulaney and attracting the attention of Rolling Stone. The event series received some pushback from local residents at the time, who expressed frustration with noise, lighting and traffic.

Paletsky said the concert series was a COVID-era business pivot, under the pandemic's circumstances.

"We're going to look at other things we can do that build community, offer new experiences, and kind of do it in a way that reflects the South Farms brand and style and make it really fun," he said.

Iron & Grain co-owner Tate Norden is also the founder and managing director of West Hartford's GastroPark, the town's first food truck park, which opened in 2020. Norden said Paletsky reached out to him last summer to talk about the potential food truck park idea.

"Ben's a very creative guy. His family has owned this farm for years...and he's doing a lot of creative use in the entertainment and experiential dining realm," Norden said. "It works well for Iron & Grain, because we can focus mostly on private catering. This will give the truck a home base to do some catering events out of, but also a place to vend while not having to deal with some of the challenges that arise from driving a 1959 truck all over the state."

Norden said he predicts Pasture will have the "same vibes" as GastroPark, welcoming guests who "want to create their own experience" with a relaxed environment, open seating and several food options. Iron & Grain's menu will feature a selection of local grass-fed burgers and craft hot dogs, he said, along with its signature sides like Mexican street corn, Buffalo Brussels sprouts and a new carrot salad. Both TA-que and Iron & Grain will serve alcoholic beverages, including beer and cocktails.

For Millwright's owner Tyler Anderson, TA-que's summer residency in Morris is a second location for the mobile eatery. TA-que started in the summer of 2020 as a way to keep his staff employed as the COVID-19 pandemic persisted and guests were more reluctant to dine indoors. Anderson bought a trailer with a smoker, crafted a menu of smoked meats and barbecue-inspired tacos, and created a new outdoor dining experience in the Simsbury restaurant's parking lot.

TA-que now has a full-sized food truck and will kick off the summer season, its fourth, on site at Millwright's June 1. Guests will be seated at brightly colored outdoor tables covered by thatched umbrellas overlooking the waterfall outside the restaurant's building. Anderson will re-deploy the original TA-que trailer at South Farms.

"I felt like it would be a good summer to have another one, because the one at Millwright's has been fun," Anderson said. "And it's not often you get offered a very beautiful place to put a food truck."

TA-que's menu will feature smoked meats, tacos, burritos, bowls and salads, Anderson said, with some new and improved recipes and more vegetarian and health-conscious options. As a Southern California native, he said the food is "near and dear to his heart," even as Millwright's focuses on fine dining with an emphasis on local ingredients.

"It's kind of the food I've always wanted to serve, and it's nice to be able to serve food that is approachable for everyone," he said.

Grassroots, under new ownership as of 2022, originated in Granby and opened its New Milford location in April. The ice cream brand has a loyal following for its unique flavors, including honey lavender, goat cheese blackberry and blood orange chocolate chip.

Pasture at South Farms, at 2 Watertown St. in Morris, will be open Thursday nights from 5-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon-8 p.m. and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. The food truck park will be open until October, "weather permitting," the website notes.

MORRIS — A group of residents worried about neighbors after hearing reports about food insecurity has organized and is opening a food bank in the former home of the late Marjorie Munson, a longtime resident.

Morris Cares Inc. President Janet Wilson and members Virginia Steinway, Diane Arifia, Jean Bonzani, Claudia Lanouette, Lori Kibbe-Lindenmuth and Morris Selectman Vinnie Aiello met up at the Munson house Thursday to see a donated freezer delivered for the upcoming food bank.

"There's a need in town," Arifia said. "We had a group that did a popup food bank, and people used it. We knew Marge Munson's house wasn't being used, and we went to First Selectman Tom Weik."

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"He was thrilled with the idea, that we had found a use for it," Wilson said.

The popup market drew more and more people, she said, and according to CT Foodshare, food insecurity in Morris is high.

"CT Foodshare's data shows that 13.5 percent of the people in Morris have food insecurity; we're a small town, so that's a lot," Wilson said. "People were also coming from other towns around us: Watertown, Litchfield and Bantam; people in need."

She said senior citizens, and often families, have to be encouraged to ask for help or attend a food bank.

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"There's a stigma attached to this, for some people," Wilson said.

According to weichert.com, Morris' most recent census shows it has 2,636 residents.

Seniors who can't get out can sign up to have their food delivered, while the actual food bank will be open on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, allowing people to supplement their food supplies for the weekend and the following week.

Morris Cares Inc. gathered information on similar food assistance efforts in other small towns. In Bethlehem, Caring for Bethlehem Inc. runs a food bank and provides funding for heating assistance; in Woodbury, the Community Services Council also runs a food bank and provides other types of assistance to residents in need.

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"There are 11 of us, but we welcome people who are interested in volunteering," Wilson said. "There will be jobs for everyone."

While they wait for their 501(c)3 status, the group plans to install shelving and other storage in the house, which also has a full kitchen and refrigerator. Volunteers will be needed to help stock shelves, make deliveries and distribute food, once the food bank opens. They will also receive food deliveries from CT Foodshare, based in Wallingford.

Food banks like Friendly Hands in Torrington have also seen an uptick in families signing up for food assistance. Executive director Karen Thomas issued a plea for turkey donations the week of Nov. 13, saying that more than 900 families had signed up for a Thanksgiving basket. At FISH of Northwest Connecticut, the food pantry is always in need of more donations, according to executive director Deirdre DiCara.

To learn more about Morris Cares Inc., email [email protected] or visit them on Facebook.

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Nov 23, 2023

Emily M. Olson is the community editor for the Torrington Register Citizen, the New Haven Register and the Middletown Press.

She is a 1997 graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a degree in English and a minor in journalism.

She started her career at the Patent Trader newspaper in Westchester County in 1998. After a brief period as a reporter with the Register Citizen in 1999, she joined the former Housatonic Publications group as a reporter. She was managing editor of the former Litchfield Enquirer and helped run the weekly newspapers at Housatonic and the Litchfield County Times. She returned to the Register Citizen in 2009.