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 Underground Railroad Monument 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 New Milford, 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 Lynn Deming 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 Lucia Ristorante or visit New Milford Historical Society & Museum, 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.
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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 New Milford, 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 New Milford, 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 New Milford, 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.
NEW MILFORD, CT — A fire on Friday afternoon damaged a mixed-use Church Street building, displacing residents and prompting a Mexican eatery to announce it has to close until repairs can be made.The two-story, mixed-use building has two apartment units and two commercial units, fire officials said.Fire officials said everyone made it out safely, and no one was injured. Fire Marshal Kevin Reynolds and Deputy Fire Marshal Ed Pagan were continuing to investigate the cause and origin of the fire as of Monday.One tenant...
NEW MILFORD, CT — A fire on Friday afternoon damaged a mixed-use Church Street building, displacing residents and prompting a Mexican eatery to announce it has to close until repairs can be made.
The two-story, mixed-use building has two apartment units and two commercial units, fire officials said.
Fire officials said everyone made it out safely, and no one was injured. Fire Marshal Kevin Reynolds and Deputy Fire Marshal Ed Pagan were continuing to investigate the cause and origin of the fire as of Monday.
One tenant, Momma’s Tacos, at 17 Church St., announced on its Facebook page that it will be closed until the fire damage is fixed.
“While we are heartbroken by the damage, we are deeply thankful to God that no one was hurt,” the restaurant wrote. “That alone is a blessing we don’t take for granted.”
The restaurant, which launched in 2021, serves a variety of Mexican-style offerings, such as tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and tortas, according to its website.
“At this time, we don’t know exactly when we’ll be able to reopen, but we are putting our full trust in God to take care of this business, just as He always has,” the Facebook post states.
The other commercial space, a beauty salon at 13 Church St., was also damaged, fire officials said.
Firefighters responded at 3:35 p.m. on Friday to extinguish the blaze, according to fire officials. When they arrived, smoke was emanating from the back of the structure, officials said. Five occupants have been displaced by the fire, and the American Red Cross is assisting them.
“The town put forth an application for a roadway rehabilitation project that encompasses Merryall Road from the section of Wellsville Road to West Meetinghouse Road,” said Chuck Ballard, road designs engineer for New Milford’s Public Works Department. “The estimated cost of the project is $1.3 million, and we felt this was an appropriate use of the grant program to offset that cost to the New Milford taxpayer.”...
“The town put forth an application for a roadway rehabilitation project that encompasses Merryall Road from the section of Wellsville Road to West Meetinghouse Road,” said Chuck Ballard, road designs engineer for New Milford’s Public Works Department. “The estimated cost of the project is $1.3 million, and we felt this was an appropriate use of the grant program to offset that cost to the New Milford taxpayer.”
The asphalt on that section of Merryall Road is in poor condition, Ballard said, and the drainage infrastructure needs to be reevaluated and replaced “to provide lower maintenance costs in the future.”
In New Milford, the $1 million STEAP grant for the Merryall Road rehabilitation project will be matched by $316,192 from the town, according to the statement from Gov. Ned Lamont’s office.
The next step is to work on the final design and engineering work for the roadway rehabilitation project, Ballard said. Public Works expects to survey the roadway and start preparations for the project’s final design after July 1, he said.
The town will hold a public information meeting on the project at a later date to gather public input, Ballard said.
Public Works is planning to start construction on Merryall Road in the summer of 2026, he said.
Farther down West Meetinghouse Road, work to replace the old 20-foot-long Merryall Road bridge with a new 40-foot-long bridge was completed in November 2024. The old bridge had been ranked as one of the five worst bridges in Litchfield County in the fall of 2022.
New Milford was among 46 small towns in Connecticut to receive a state grant from STEAP, which awarded a total of $30 million in grants in late May, according to a statement from Lamont.
The funding is part of $30 million in grants announced by Gov. Ned Lamont to small towns throughout the state.NEW MILFORD, CT — New Milford will receive $1 million in state funding for the reconstruction of Merryall Road as part of the grants being released through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Wednesday.The state funding will be matched by $316,192 from the town, according to officials.Lamont announced that he is releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in C...
NEW MILFORD, CT — New Milford will receive $1 million in state funding for the reconstruction of Merryall Road as part of the grants being released through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Wednesday.
The state funding will be matched by $316,192 from the town, according to officials.
Lamont announced that he is releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in Connecticut that will be used to “complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other kinds of capital improvement projects,” according to a news release.
STEAP is managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management and delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects. In addition to the grants from the state, each municipality is also contributing funds, bringing the total spent on the 48 projects to $43.4 million in a combination of state, local, and other funding sources.
“Our small towns are an important part of what makes Connecticut such a special place to live and work,” Lamont said. “By partnering with each town, we can help get these infrastructure projects completed so these towns can continue to thrive, remain competitive, attract businesses, and improve the quality of life for our residents.”
Towns seeking funding under this current round of STEAP grants were required to submit applications to the state by Feb. 20, 2025. Towns selected to receive grants will soon be contacted by OPM with an official award notification and further instructions. Funding to support these grants was recently approved by the State Bond Commission, a group that Lamont leads as chairperson.
NEW MILFORD – Despite pushback over $1.6 million in cuts in the proposed school budget and a Town Council motion for the Board of Finance to reconsider the spending plan, New Milford's $121 million proposed budget for 2025-26 will be presented at a town meeting on Tuesday, May 6, as planned....
NEW MILFORD – Despite pushback over $1.6 million in cuts in the proposed school budget and a Town Council motion for the Board of Finance to reconsider the spending plan, New Milford's $121 million proposed budget for 2025-26 will be presented at a town meeting on Tuesday, May 6, as planned.
New Milford Mayor Pete Bass told Hearst Connecticut Media Group that the Town Council sent a letter to Walter O’Connor, chair of the Board of Finance, on its request for the budget reconsideration. However, Bass said O’Connor responded Tuesday, saying, the board is “not going to entertain revisiting the motion.”
The Town Council had approved a motion at Monday’s meeting to recommend the Board of Finance reconsider the 2025-26 budget plan and hold an emergency meeting.
O'Connor told HCMG on Friday that the town and state charters require any budget passed by the Board of Finance to be published in a newspaper before the town meeting to set the budget referendum. The finance board decided not to revisit the budget plan because "there wasn't any logistical time to do that and reprint it to satisfy the charter," he said.
The proposed 2025-26 budget will be presented at the town meeting on Tuesday, during which time residents can make further comments, Bass said. The budget plan will then go to a townwide vote on Tuesday, May 20.
The Board of Finance gave approval to a $121 million proposed budget on April 9, which includes $47.9 million for the town and $74.3 million for education.
The mayor’s original recommended budget included $76 million for education and $48 million for the town. The education budget was reduced by $295,000 at the Board of Finance’s March 4 budget deliberation, and then by $1.6 million at the April 9 budget deliberation. The town budget was also cut $300,000 at the April 9 deliberation.
Many residents have expressed concerns about the cuts in school spending, with several voicing their intent to vote down the budget proposal until the $1.6 million is restored.
At Monday's Town Council meeting, a few residents asked how the Board of Finance handled and based its calculations to reduce the proposed education budget.
New Milford resident Jaime Bell said the $1.6 million cut was based on “the misapplication of Connecticut law, specifically the improper interpretation of and use of the minimum budget requirement statute,” which she said prohibits reductions “unless specific statutory conditions are properly met.”
This statute was created to “protect educational programs from local fiscal pressures, to ensure stability and predictability in school funding and prevent the erosion of investment in public education over time,” she said.
“It’s clear at the April 9 meeting the Board of Finance misunderstood or misused the law,” Bell said. “They ignored their fiduciary duties, they relied on personal feelings over legal obligations and they failed the community they were elected to serve.”
Several residents also shared their outrage on how 62 nontenured New Milford teachers received pink slips this week as a result of the budget cuts.
New Milford Public Schools currently has 364 teachers on staff, according to Superintendent Janet Parlato. She told HCMG that many of the pink slips may be withdrawn, but it’s unclear how many teachers could be brought back “until we know the results of the referendum.”
The 62 teachers represent "all of our hires from the last two years," New Milford resident Justin Mack said at Monday's meeting.
"They're the future of our district, and we just told them to look elsewhere," he said.
Some New Milford teachers who received pink slips spoke out at the meeting as well.
Gretchen Ewers of Goshen said she was among 22 teachers at Schaghticoke Middle School whoreceived pink slips on Monday. She said the 62 teachers represent nearly 20% of the district's teachers and “will not be easily replaced.”
“The 62 of us represent every possible position in this district,” said Jennifer Vincent, a teacher at Schaghticoke who also received a pink slip. “We are new, eager teachers just starting our careers. We are seasoned professionals who made choices to work here in this community. … We represent every grade, every level, every subject area, every program available to the kids. There’s not a single area in this district that won’t be affected by the budget.”
NEW MILFORD — Dozens of teachers expect to receive pink slips from the district this week due to significant cuts in next fiscal year’s proposed education budget, a top school official said.“Because of the uncertainty of how much we will end up losing with budget reductions, I will deliver notices of nonrenewal to 62 nontenured teachers this week, wh...
NEW MILFORD — Dozens of teachers expect to receive pink slips from the district this week due to significant cuts in next fiscal year’s proposed education budget, a top school official said.
“Because of the uncertainty of how much we will end up losing with budget reductions, I will deliver notices of nonrenewal to 62 nontenured teachers this week, who are all teachers who are in year one or year two of their careers in New Milford,” Superintendent Janet Parlato told Hearst Connecticut Media Group on Monday.
“While many of these nonrenewals may be withdrawn, it is impossible to know yet how many of these teachers we will be able to bring back until we know the results of the referendum,” which will be held later in May, she said.
New Milford Public Schools currently has a total of 364 teachers, all of whom are certified, according to Parlato.
“Any loss of personnel damages the level of services and programming that we are able to provide to our students,” she said.
The New Milford school union could not be immediately reached for comment.
The school board had approved Parlato’s $76 million budget proposal in January before it was sent to the town for further review. The budget was then reduced by $295,000 at a March 4 budget deliberation, sparking concerns among residents who urged the board to reinstate the funding.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, New Milford’s Board of Finance approved a $121 million proposed budget on April 9 after further cutting $1.6 million from the education budget and $300,000 from the town budget.
The proposed budget includes $47.9 million for the town and $74.3 million for education. The budget proposal will be presented at a town meeting on May 6, when a budget referendum date will be set. Several residents have already expressed their intent to vote down the budget proposal until the $1.6 million is restored to the education budget.
“I proposed a very responsible budget, and the Board of Education adopted it,” Parlato told Hearst. “If there was room for such a large reduction, we would have sent that reduction forward ourselves. We developed and sent forth a budget that meets the needs of our students and our schools.”
Parlato notified the teachers via email April 24 about “the next step in the budget process from the district’s end.” In the email, she said, “some positions are going to have to be reduced" because of the cuts.
Under Connecticut state law, any nontenured teacher is required to receive notice of nonrenewal by May 1, Parlato said in her email.
Nontenured teachers are teachers who have not yet served for 40 months and do not have any offer of employment for the next school year, and teachers who “served for 40 months or more, switched school districts and now have to work for 20 months in the new school district and receive an offer of employment for the next school year to receive tenure,” the email said.
Nonrenewals can be due to either budgetary constraints or performance concerns, though the notices can be withdrawn “for some or all nontenured teachers if a budget situation improves,” Parlato said in her email.
“We are in a position this year where a very significant reduction to the board-adopted budget is on the table, and we have to wait for the results of the referendum to see what happens next,” Parlato said in her email.
Parlato said in her email that the district cannot rescind “some, many or all of the notices of nonrenewal until we know exactly what the Board of Education budget will be.” Also, she said the district can’t hire for “any currently open positions that are not absolutely essential until we know what the final budget number is, in case these open positions have to be cut.”
“These are hard and stress-filled days, I know,” Parlato said in her email. “I'm also sorry that we were put in this awful, truly awful budgetary position.”
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