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 — In his 20 years of battling blazes as a volunteer firefighter in town, Sean Delaney said there’s “nothing more rewarding than walking away from an incident" and "knowing you made a difference.”“That is by and large the catalyst for me,” the ...
NEW MILFORD — In his 20 years of battling blazes as a volunteer firefighter in town, Sean Delaney said there’s “nothing more rewarding than walking away from an incident" and "knowing you made a difference.”
“That is by and large the catalyst for me,” the New Milford resident said. “It takes a different person to say, ‘I’m going to allocate so much of my time on a yearly basis to help others' and then go and do it. … It’s allocating so much of your time to give back, and that’s the reward – seeing all the people that you helped and going above and beyond.”
After nearly two decades of rising through the ranks, Delaney, 43, was elected chief of the Water Witch Hose Company No. 2 on Jan. 6. He will serve a one-year term as chief, a position he said is voted on annually.
As chief, Delaney said he is responsible for running the volunteer fire department’s operations, overseeing its five officers and facilitating fire suppression and emergency services activities. When he's not fighting fires, Delaney works as the director of business development and technical resources for Westbrook Concrete Block in Westbrook.
Based at 8 Prospect Hill Road, Water Witch Hose Company has 65 active members on a roster of 110 members, according to Delaney. It is the largest of New Milford’s three fire departments, which also includes the Northville Volunteer Fire Department and the Gaylordsville Volunteer Fire Department.
All of the town’s fire departments are entirely volunteer run, though Delaney said the town compensates them with an annual pension and a tax abatement on their properties and vehicles.
The three fire departments answer over 1,000 calls in total annually, and members are “constantly training” to “keep evolving with the industry,” Delaney said.
“All of our volunteer firefighters put in countless hours both in hands-on and critical skill instruction classes,” he said. “They’re constantly training, keeping up on their skills, learning new skills and adding to their portfolio. It’s pretty amazing to see these men and women advance themselves in the firefighting industry.”
A town native, Delaney graduated from New Milford High School in 2000 and studied public relations and marketing at Central Connecticut State University.
Upon returning to New Milford after graduating from college, he said he was inspired by his brother, Ryan Delaney, now a lieutenant for the Water Witch Hose Company, and by other firefighters.
“Really, it was the idea of coming back and not just sitting around doing nothing in town,” Sean Delaney said. “I wanted to do something that was beneficial. … It felt like the right fit to go out there, be active, do something that helped the community.”
In 2005, he began his firefighting career at the Northville Volunteer Fire Department, then joined the Water Witch Hose Company in 2009 as a firefighter. Delaney worked his way up the ranks as a first lieutenant, second lieutenant, captain and second assistant chief on his way to the top post.
“It really is an honor to serve the men and women of our department and to be able to be there for the community in this role,” Delaney said.
One of the fire company’s biggest challenges is keeping up with the town, he said.
“The town is growing, and we have to be able to meet the needs of the community as it grows,” he said. “We’ve done so much with the town. The town has supported us in many ways – they’ve been there with the ARPA funds for necessities that we’ve had over the course of the last three years to advance the department, to advance the technology we use on a regular basis.”
The fire company is also anticipating “a very long, arduous brush fire season” this year, Delaney said, which will be “a challenge for us and taxes the manpower that we have.”
The company’s goals for 2025 are to “have participation and enthusiasm, to train, to be present and really to bring the department to a whole other level,” he said.
April 21, 2025
Reporter
Kaitlin Keane is thrilled to nurture her journalism career as a weeklies reporter with Hearst and looks forward to becoming better acquainted with the communities in her coverage area. While she enjoys the opportunity to cover breaking news, her beat is generally focused on local profiles and school-centered stories. Outside of her reporting work, she is an avid reader, baker and cyclist.
Get ready to explore exciting attractions and events right here in our community!Patch In Town, Patch Staff|Updated Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 12:47 pm ETGreat news, New Milford — summer is just around the corner! If you're in search of family-friendly fun, we've put together a list of seven fantastic activities in and around town that are sure to be a hit with everyone. Don't forget to check with the venue ahead of time t...
Patch In Town, Patch Staff
|Updated Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 12:47 pm ET
Great news, New Milford — summer is just around the corner! If you're in search of family-friendly fun, we've put together a list of seven fantastic activities in and around town that are sure to be a hit with everyone. Don't forget to check with the venue ahead of time to confirm hours, ticket availability or any special requirements before you go!
???? When: Open daily | 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM????Where: 11A Aspetuck Ave, New Milford, CT 06776???? More info: Click here
???? When: Tuesday - Sunday | 11 AM -6 PM Friday, 10 AM - 6 PM Saturday, 12 PM - 5 PM Sunday????Where: 12 Main St, New Milford, CT 06776???? More info: Click here
???? When: Open daily | Hours vary, see website for details????Where: 145 Danbury Rd D, New Milford, CT 06776???? More info: Click here
???? When: Open Tuesday - Sunday | Hour vary, see website for details????Where: 13 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, CT 06801???? More info: Click here
???? When: Open daily | Sunday - Thursday, 10 AM - 6 PM ; Friday and Saturday, 10 AM - 9:30 PM ????Where: 265 Federal Rd, Brookfield, CT 06804???? More info: Click here
???? When: Wednesday - Thursday, 3 PM - 8 PM; Friday, 3 PM - 10 PM; Saturday, 10 AM - 10 PM; Sunday, 10 AM - 8 PM????Where: 5 Prindle Ln, Danbury, CT 06811???? More info: Click here
???? When: Open daily | 8 AM - Sunset????Where: 178 Short Woods Rd, New Milford, CT 06776???? More info: Click here
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NEW MILFORD – Area residents eager to spend their weekends hunting for treasures will rejoice with the opening of the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market for the 2025 season.The flea market, located at 490 Danbury Road, is slated to open for the 2025 season on Sunday, April 6, depending on weather and field conditions, ...
NEW MILFORD – Area residents eager to spend their weekends hunting for treasures will rejoice with the opening of the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market for the 2025 season.
The flea market, located at 490 Danbury Road, is slated to open for the 2025 season on Sunday, April 6, depending on weather and field conditions, according to the market’s website. It will be open every Sunday from April into December.
On Sundays in warm weather, several hundred vendors, dealers and other sellers gather at the flea market off Route 7 in New Milford to display their wares, antiques and collectibles for sale. The market also hosts a dozen food trucks and live music by the Trunk Band every Sunday.
The Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market has been featured on multiple publications and television shows, including HGTV’s “Flea Market Flip.” It has also been featured among the vendors listed on the Connecticut Antiques Trail.
General admission has been changed to 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $4 per person, moving admission an hour earlier from the previous start time of 8 a.m. There will also be a $20 admission for early buyers from 5:30 until 6:45 a.m., according to the market website.
Vendors must arrive for the market before 6:50 a.m. and be parked in their designated spaces, according to the market website.
No pets are allowed at the market.
NEW MILFORD – The Board of Finance in New Milford approved a $121 million proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year — but only after making cuts to both the town and school spending plans.“We can’t predict how the voters are going to vote,”...
NEW MILFORD – The Board of Finance in New Milford approved a $121 million proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year — but only after making cuts to both the town and school spending plans.
“We can’t predict how the voters are going to vote,” said Walter O’Connor, chair of the Board of Finance, at Wednesday’s budget deliberations. “All we can do is use our best judgment to come to a dollar amount that we feel the town is going to pass on the first go-round.”
The proposed budget will next be presented at a town meeting Tuesday, May 6, when a budget referendum date will be scheduled.
The budget plan moved forward by the finance board includes $47.9 million for the town and $74.3 million for education. If the budget is approved, the mill rate would be 30.50, a 2.45% increase from the current mill rate.
The mayor’s original recommended budget included $76 million for education and $48 million for the town. The New Milford school board approved Superintendent Janet Parlato’s $76 million budget proposal in January before it was sent to the town for further review.
The Town Council and Board of Finance held seven joint budget hearings for the 2025-26 budget proposals. The school spending plan was cut $295,000 at a budget deliberation March 4.
The proposed 2025-26 budget was further reduced at the Board of Finance’s budget deliberation on Wednesday night, with $1.6 million cut from the education budget and $300,000 cut from the town budget.
With the increase in the number of New Milford students needing academic support and pressures around losing federal funds, some residents urged the town to reinstate the $295,000 cut from the school budget at the budget deliberation Wednesday.
“The fight for adequate funding for our schools is not a new one,” New Milford resident Elizabeth Holton said. “Yes, our student population has declined in recent years, but the needs of our students has grown significantly. Our school district now serves an increasing number of multilingual learners, students with special needs, and to provide them with a fair and effective education, we have to have teachers and staff who are specifically trained to meet those needs.”
“We call ourselves the greatest of all towns, but great towns invest in their students,” Holton said. “Now is the time for the town to make that investment.”
A few finance board members acknowledged that the school board “gave as slim and limited a budget as they possibly could.” At least one board member recommended restoring the $295,000, but the motion did not pass.
Board member Joseph DeGregorio said New Milford has seen “a steady decline in student population over the last 10 years-plus.” The Connecticut State General Statutes outline a process by which a school budget can be reduced if the district has a steady student population decline, he said.
“That would allow us to select a specific year in the last five years that had an actual student population decrease, multiple by the appropriation of the last fiscal year and we can actually reduce the school budget by that amount,” DeGregorio said.
Under this process, he said the 2025-26 education budget plan could be cut by $1.6 million and put forth a motion for the reduction, which the finance board approved.
“I have kids in the school district, so I don’t necessarily want to do that,” DeGregorio said of the cut. “But I think that the best way to affect positive change is to the sometimes shock the system a little bit. When you look at where the dollars are actually going in the school system and the school’s performance, maybe some changes need to be made.”
In the town budget, he recommended the town reduce $900,000 from the budget’s revenue category and cut the town budget by $300,000 to “make up for that loss of revenue.” He said the $900,000 from the town’s land settlement fund “was entered in error” and put in the proposed 2025-26 budget “as a carryover from last year.”
DeGregorio said Town Attorney Randy DiBella informed the town that “funds cannot be used for tax relief in this budgetary cycle” and recommended correcting that by reducing the proposed budget by $300,000.
“I’m very loath to reduce revenue budget because we don’t really know how much revenue we’re going to take in over the next fiscal year,” O’Connor said before the board approved the cut.
April 13, 2025
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Kaitlin Keane is thrilled to nurture her journalism career as a weeklies reporter with Hearst and looks forward to becoming better acquainted with the communities in her coverage area. While she enjoys the opportunity to cover breaking news, her beat is generally focused on local profiles and school-centered stories. Outside of her reporting work, she is an avid reader, baker and cyclist.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.New Milford|Local EventMeadowbrook Gardens, NeighborSat, Apr 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM228 Danbury Rd, New Milford, CT, 06776Join us April 12 & 13th from 10-3 for our annual ...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
New Milford|Local Event
Join us April 12 & 13th from 10-3 for our annual spring festival. Enjoy great food from Twins BBQ, Feelin' Saucy Pasta & Sweetness Bites. Also, available will be Tapville mobile taproom. Take home some Wildwood Granola & St. Mark's jellies and jams. On Saturday 4/12, you will find After School Special here as our musical entertainment. Visit the cutest baby goats! Face painting and flower crowns are available for a fee. Of course Meadowbrook is offering a plant/shrub sale and a variety of giveaway plugs. We hope to see you here.
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