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 – Residents will have the opportunity to cast their ballots on the newly restored town and education budget proposals for 2025-26 at a second budget referendum scheduled for June 11.“Thank you for showing up and reminding everyone that to be the best town in the USA, you must care about the future – the kids,” said ...
NEW MILFORD – Residents will have the opportunity to cast their ballots on the newly restored town and education budget proposals for 2025-26 at a second budget referendum scheduled for June 11.
“Thank you for showing up and reminding everyone that to be the best town in the USA, you must care about the future – the kids,” said Gretchen Ewers, a Goshen resident and teacher at Schaghticoke Middle School, at the Town Council’s special budget meeting Thursday, May 22. “Keep it up and now let’s pass the Board of Education budget.”
After voters rejected both spending plans at the budget referendum Tuesday, May 20, and called them "too low," the Board of Finance restored the cuts made to New Milford's proposed town and school spending plans at a meeting Wednesday, May 21.
The rejected budgets had totaled $121 million, with $47.9 million for the town and $74.3 million for the schools.
The finance board on Wednesday voted to restore both spending plans to the mayor’s original recommended amounts, which called for $48 million for the town and $76 million for the schools. The new $124 million budget proposal for 2025-26 would yield a mill rate of 30.96 mills, an increase of 4.1% over the current rate.
The Town Council met on Thursday to set a budget referendum for Wednesday, June 11, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots can be picked up from the town clerk’s office.
Some council members voiced their support for restoring the town and school spending plans, saying the changes made to the education budget were “too big a cut.”
“Certainly, that cut that the Board of Finance made was totally irresponsible,” council member Mary Jane Lundgren said of the $1.6 million school budget cut. “I hope we never go back there again. … We cannot afford to be losing all these teachers and have to struggle to get them to come back again.”
The school district issued pink slips to 62 nontenured teachers after the cut was made in the spending plan.
Other council members said the town needs to see results from the district on how the restored budget would benefit the schools.
“I’m going to give the Board of Education the benefit of the doubt this year … but there’s going to be some caveats to this,” council member Thomas Esposito said. “We are going to need to see some results this year. Our numbers have gone down pretty dramatically as we all know, but I would hope that the Board of Education would give the town every three months a little update on how we’re doing.”
“The numbers have to go up because we’re counting on the strengths of the schools to help grow our town and to attract people here,” he said.
Before the first failed budget referendum, many residents had raised concerns about the $121 million proposed budget, with some vowing to vote down the budget until the cuts in the school spending plan were reversed.
The Board of Finance cut the original proposed school budget by $295,000 at its March 4 budget deliberation. Another $1.6 million was cut from the school spending at the board’s April 9 budget deliberation along with $300,000 from the town budget.
Multiple residents, teachers and students shared their outrage about the pink slips to 62 nontenured teachers as well as the expected loss of student services and programming due to the cuts.
School Superintendent Janet Parlato said that many of the pink slips may be withdrawn, but she said the number of teachers the district can bring back depends on the referendum’s results.
At Thursday's meeting, a few residents voiced concerns that, despite the restoration of the funds in the school spending plan, the damage from the earlier cuts have left a mark on the school district.
Megan Byrd, a New Milford resident, said teachers who received pink slips are already looking for other jobs.
“We are going to lose some valuable teachers,” Byrd said at the meeting. “Those damages are already happening, and we are going to have to now pay to replace those people. Our town needs to start looking forward.”
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the new budget proposal for 2025-26 would include an increase of 4.1% over New Milford's current mill rate.
May 26, 2025|Updated May 29, 2025 2:53 p.m.
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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.
NEW MILFORD — Voters went to the polls and rejected the town and school spending plans for 2025-26 for being "too low" at Tuesday’s budget referendum.“Last night, the public 100% came out … and they expressed their will,” New Mi...
NEW MILFORD — Voters went to the polls and rejected the town and school spending plans for 2025-26 for being "too low" at Tuesday’s budget referendum.
“Last night, the public 100% came out … and they expressed their will,” New Milford Mayor Pete Bass told CT Insider on Wednesday morning. “One of the things we need to be cognizant about is fulfilling the will of the majority of the people.”
The $121 million proposed budget had sparked concerns among some residents in the weeks leading up to the referendum, with several voicing their intent to vote the budget down until cuts in the school spending plan were restored.
The total $121 million proposed budget included $47.9 million for the town and $74.3 million for the schools.
The town budget was turned down with a total of 2,144 no votes and 1,900 yes votes, according unofficial results.
In response to the advisory question on the town budget, a total of 2,061 voters said the town budget was OK while 1,351 voters said the budget was too low and 1,023 voters said it was too high.
For the school budget, a total of 3,201 voters cast ballots of no while 898 voters cast ballots of yes. For the advisory question, 2,820 voters said the education budget was too low, while 740 voters said it was too high and 534 voters said it was OK.
All of the vote totals include absentee ballots, according to Bass.
The Board of Finance was scheduled to meet Wednesday night to review the budget and referendum results and make its recommendations for new budgets to be presented to voters, Bass said. The Town Council will meet Thursday night to review the new budgets.
Both meetings will be livestreamed for the public’s viewing.
The mayor’s original recommended budget for 2025-26 had called for $76 million for the schools and $48 million for the town. The Board of Finance cut the school budget by $295,000 at its March 4 budget deliberation and cut another $1.6 million at its April 9 budget deliberation. The town budget was also reduced by $300,000 at the April 9 budget deliberation.
Some residents urged the town to reconsider the cuts in the school spending plan, resulting in the Town Council’s decision to pass a motion asking the Board of Finance to reconsider the proposed 2025-26 budget. However, the Board of Finance decided there “wasn’t any logistical time” to set a meeting and revisit the budget, according to Board of Finance Chair Walter O’Connor at the time.
Several residents protested the education budget cuts at recent budget meetings, including the town meeting on May 7, as well as at a rally held on the Town Green. Multiple teachers, parents and students at the May 7 town meeting criticized the pink slips issued to 62 nontenured teachers because of the budget cuts, while others raised concerns about the potential loss of educational programming and services for students under the budget plan.
Educators, students and parents rallied ahead of a town council meeting, voicing their concerns about a proposed $2 million cut to the Board of Education’s budget.NEW MILFORD, Conn — In New Milford, about 20% of teachers were recently laid off, putting things in limbo for the future of the school district.Emotions were high at the start of Tuesday’s town council meeting.It kicked off with kindergarten teacher Tricia...
Educators, students and parents rallied ahead of a town council meeting, voicing their concerns about a proposed $2 million cut to the Board of Education’s budget.
NEW MILFORD, Conn — In New Milford, about 20% of teachers were recently laid off, putting things in limbo for the future of the school district.
Emotions were high at the start of Tuesday’s town council meeting.
It kicked off with kindergarten teacher Tricia Ambrogio reading off the names of teachers who recently received pink slips.
“The most I believe in our district was cut from middle school,” Tricia Ambrogio said. “Middle school is that time where students need a little extra tender love and care and they’re going to be in bigger classes and that’s just going to be a lot harder for them.”
Educators, students and parents rallied ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, voicing their concerns about a proposed $2 million cut to the Board of Education’s budget.
“We have after-school programs that some of them will get cut too and that’s affecting some people that need to go after school to do stuff,” said Kathryn Ambrogio, a third grade student.
Heather Sullivan, a K-2 literacy specialist teacher and parent, is worried about what the cuts will mean for students like her young daughter who rely on special education services.
“My first grader is autistic, and she receives so many SPED services,” Sullivan said. “Something that I’ve heard a lot of the Board of Finance talk about and even town council is our cost for pupil. Equal's not equitable. My son is a cheap student, my daughter probably cost three to four times that amount.”
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Gretchen Ewers, a sixth grade English and language arts teacher, received a pink slip. She’s worried about what’s next for her and her former students.
“When there’s a behavior in the classroom, it’s hard to teach around that and if there’s nobody to take the kid and help them deregulate, help them get back to regulated, then it’s going to hurt everybody,” she said.
Ginny Landgrebe, chemistry teacher and New Milford CEA vice president, said decisions are being made by people who don’t care about the school system.
“It is truly devastating and I know everyone goes, 'no one is really going to get cut,' yeah, if 1.6 and technically, if you add the town council's cut, it’s 2 million. That’s a lot of money and it’s a lot of teachers,” she said.
People who spoke at the town council meeting called this budget cut a slap in the face and called out the New Milford Board of Finance.
A speaker said the board member who proposed the cut admitted that the number was a spitball sort of thing.
The town referendum vote will take place on May 20.
Kaye Paddyfote is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her onX and Instagram.
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Theater is progress. Theater is always moving forward. Always innovating. Always creating something new. New Works are the lifeblood of the Theatre. Whenever a new play is given a World Premiere, it should be celebrated, which is what brought me to Theatreworks New Milford this weekend. Written by, directed by, and starring Dorothy Lyman, TheatreWorks presented the world premiere of Upstate to great success.Set in modern-day upstate New Y...
Theater is progress. Theater is always moving forward. Always innovating. Always creating something new. New Works are the lifeblood of the Theatre. Whenever a new play is given a World Premiere, it should be celebrated, which is what brought me to Theatreworks New Milford this weekend. Written by, directed by, and starring Dorothy Lyman, TheatreWorks presented the world premiere of Upstate to great success.
Set in modern-day upstate New York, Upstate focuses on Elizabeth, an elderly widow who is taking care of the family farm with the help of family friend and surrogate-daughter, Christie, after her husband passed away. The drama begins when Elizabeth's biological daughter, Betsy, and her husband, Tom, visit for the weekend with the intent of convincing Elizabeth that it’s time to sell the farm and move into an assisted living home after sustaining an injury from one of her pigs. Into the fray comes Betsy’s daughter, Liz, and her boyfriend, Jason, who have other ideas for the property.
The drama of the show comes from the interactions between the characters and relies quite heavily on the chemistry of the cast. As mentioned, Elizabeth is performed by Dorothy Lyman, herself, who brings the stubborn energy of a woman who doesn't want to stop- a desire that the audience clearly connected with, as they would erupt with laughter at every snarky side comment. Betsy, played by Jamie Spannhake, brings confidence and strength to the household, which is delightfully countered by Tom’s (Kevin Sosbe) playfulness. Liz (Kay Mickelson) and Jason (Thomas Ovitt) burst onto the scene with youthful exuberance and ambition, while dealing with their own serious doubts. Finally, the cast is rounded out by Patti Reese’s Christie, who is the foil to Betsy: Betsy’s harshness is balanced by Christie’s gentleness, as both “daughters” try to do what's best for Elizabeth.
Finally, the set and props must be lauded for bringing the farmhouse to life. With the set constructed by the team of Sharbargh Scenic, Matt Travis, Jim Hipp, and Devon Langworthy, Elizabeth's kitchen came to life by feeling rustic, well lived in, but also well cleaned and decorated in the way that only a Grandmother's house could be.
You won't want to miss the World Premiere run of Upstate by Dorothy Lyman at Theatreworks New Milford. The production runs from May 1 to May 24 with performances at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and a 2pm matinee on May 18. The evening performance on May 8 is their special Pay What You Want performance. Tickets can be purchased on their website, theatreworks.us.
Join us for a PAWsome time!BRING YOUR PET!Shopping, Rescues, Adoptables, Animal Blessing, Food, and Fun!4th annual!Pets in the Park New MilfordSunday, June 1, 202511:00am to 4:00pm(Rain date: June 8th)...
Join us for a PAWsome time!
BRING YOUR PET!
Shopping, Rescues, Adoptables, Animal Blessing, Food, and Fun!
4th annual!Pets in the Park New MilfordSunday, June 1, 202511:00am to 4:00pm(Rain date: June 8th)
Pettibone Park2 Pickett District RdNew Milford, CT 06776(Parking at Pettibone School)
Animal Blessing at 1PM with Pastor Kriss from the First Congregational Church of Danbury!
Dress your pet for the 'BOW WOW LUAU' Pet Costume Contest at 2pm!
FREE Face Painting by Happy Cheeks Face Painting!
Jesse’s Ice Cream Goni’s Gourmet
ADMISSION is FREE!$3.00 donation is suggested and appreciated! Going directly to a local area animal shelter!
Hosted by Crazy For Events CT [email protected]https://www.crazyforeventsct.com
860-261-4405
