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 – The town has taken another step toward creating a blueprint for the revitalization of New Milford’s riverfront area by voting to hire an architectural firm for $449,550 to begin designing the project.The Town Council approved a motion at its Jan. 27 meeting to authorize Mayor Pete Bass to enter into a contract with WXY Architecture + Urban Design, a Ne...
NEW MILFORD – The town has taken another step toward creating a blueprint for the revitalization of New Milford’s riverfront area by voting to hire an architectural firm for $449,550 to begin designing the project.
The Town Council approved a motion at its Jan. 27 meeting to authorize Mayor Pete Bass to enter into a contract with WXY Architecture + Urban Design, a New York-based firm, for design, engineering and planning services.
The cost has already been set aside by the town of New Milford, said Liba Fuhrman, chair of the Riverfront Revitalization Committee.
The area covers nearly 60 acres along the Housatonic River, starting at Young’s Field and Bridge Street and going up Housatonic Avenue.
Planning began in the fall of 2016 with the goal of creating “a dynamic 21st-century riverfront integrated with New Milford’s Town Center to catalyze community development, economic resiliency, sustainability and revenue generation while protecting the Housatonic River and its ecosystem,” according to Furhman.
New Milford received a state Brownfield Area-Wide Revitalization Grant totaling $170,000 in 2018 to help pay for the creation of a master plan.
The master plan will refine the project’s conceptual design and “strengthen the function, sense of place, economic vitality and transportation infrastructure of the study area, creating a blueprint for revitalization with a focus on high-quality reuse of town-owned property and private properties,” Fuhrman said. The plan will also provide specific recommendations to guide public and private investments and identify economic opportunities, she said.
The plan will identify key design elements; the design of the park and other publicly owned space along the riverfront corridor; roadway designs; cost estimates; and a list of relevant permitting needed, Fuhrman said.
The town received three proposals, and the Riverfront Revitalization Committee met Dec. 19 and unanimously voted to recommend awarding the contract to WXY Architecture + Design, Fuhrman said.
WXY’s proposal contains “a robust and inclusive community engagement component based on collaboration,” she said.
Some Town Council members expressed concerns about moving forward with the contract without public input.
Councilwoman Alexandra Thomas said she has been approached by a number of people who are concerned that they “haven’t had an opportunity to say yes or no in referendum with regard to the entire project.”
“Money is being spent each year toward getting all the information together to create a plan to vote on, but in the meantime, they haven’t had a chance on whether to move the project forward,” Thomas said. “There are people who don’t want to do that because we have other things to take care of first.”
But Fuhrman said the money has been appropriated for the Riverfront Revitalization Master Plan and must be used for this purpose. She added the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on the project in the future.
NEW MILFORD – The town is taking the next step in preparing the former East Street School property for redevelopment by applying for state funding to assess the building for hazardous materials.“This assessment is going to be needed, ...
NEW MILFORD – The town is taking the next step in preparing the former East Street School property for redevelopment by applying for state funding to assess the building for hazardous materials.
“This assessment is going to be needed, no matter what we do with this building,” Mayor Pete Bass said at the Town Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 24. “We all know there’s asbestos in there because it was built in the 1930s. There could be some other materials we’re not aware of. This will give us the assessment, so we can see what would need to be done to be remediated.”
New Milford recently entered negotiations with Westport-based Vallone Ventures to restore and repurpose the East Street building as a cultural center with housing for artists.
The building, which would be known as the East Street Cultural Center, would house the proposed cultural center on its lower level and 21 affordable one-bedroom and studio apartment units on its first and second floors for the artists in residence. The first and second floors would also house a community space for the artists.
Additionally, Vallone Ventures proposed developing a new three-story building behind the proposed cultural center with 40 affordable housing units for residents of the cultural center that are over 55 years old.
Built in 1931, the 50 East St. building has previously housed the high school, the Youth Agency, the school district’s Central Office and the food pantry Camella’s Cupboard. Formerly known as the Catherine Lillis Administrative Building, it is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places as part of the New Milford Center Historic District.
The Town Council approved a motion Monday to allow the New Milford Corporation for Economic Development to apply for a brownfield assessment grant. The town can apply for up to $200,000, Bass said.
Brownfields are properties where a planned expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or possible presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.
At least one council member asked how the town would fund the assessment if it were unable to secure the state grant. Bass said the town would reapply for state funding adding, “Everything’s not 100% but it seems very doable.”
Issued by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, the Brownfield Assessment Grant program is a competitive program for municipalities to assist with brownfield redevelopment projects “that will make a significant economic impact,” according to the DECD website.
Brownfield assessment grants can cover the costs of investigating, assessing, remediating and developing a brownfield. This includes soil, groundwater and infrastructure investigation; hazardous materials or waste disposal; and building and structural issues, including demolition, asbestos abatement, contaminated wood or paint removal or other remedial activities.
The deadline to submit the grant application is March 7, with the dates for award announcements scheduled for this summer, the DECD website states.
Several residents spoke in favor of of transforming the East Street building into a cultural arts center before the town entered negotiations with Vallone Ventures.
Other residents have suggested the town redevelop the East Street building for housing or as a first responder headquarters, or to preserve it as a historic landmark, among other uses.
The building has been closed to the public since August 2023 after mold was detected during an indoor quality assessment of the structure.
Due to the failing boiler, the New Milford Board of Education started moving its Central Office out of the 50 East St. building and into Sarah Noble Intermediate School at 25 Valley Road in November 2022. The school board, which had used the East Street building for its Central Office since 1982, turned it over to the town in June 2023.
After an indoor quality assessment performed by the contractor Fuss & O’Neill identified mold throughout the building, tensions sparked between the town and school board over the building’s maintenance.
Dean Petrucelli, an architect with Silver Petrucelli & Associates, said at a Town Council meeting last March that it would take two years and $12 million to renovate the East Street building. But the building’s future use will determine the timeframe and cost of the work, Petrucelli said.
NEW MILFORD – Bagelman will be able to welcome more customers into its New Milford location with the addition of a new dining room.“We’re definitely happy about it and the customers love it,” said Marc Froehlich, owner of Bagelman in New Milfo...
NEW MILFORD – Bagelman will be able to welcome more customers into its New Milford location with the addition of a new dining room.
“We’re definitely happy about it and the customers love it,” said Marc Froehlich, owner of Bagelman in New Milford. “It gave us a lot more storage space, and it makes it easier to operate having more space. People waiting for food have more space to wait.”
Froehlich, one of Bagelman’s owners, opened the New Milford location at 312 Danbury Road in 2022 with his father, who has the same name.
In addition to bagels, Bagelman’s menu offers a variety of specialty sandwiches, grilled panini sandwiches, deli items, soups, salads, croissants and more.
“We’re happy to be in New Milford – it’s been great,” Froehlich said. “We’ve been here two-and-a-half years and it’s one of the best things we ever did.”
Bagelman has three other locations: two in Danbury on Mill Plain Road and Padanaram Road and one in Brookfield on Candlewood Lake Road.
Froehlich credited the increased business at Bagelman and a lack of space for customers as the inspiration behind the expansion.
“We only had a few tables and chairs, and there wasn’t enough room for people in Bagelman,” he said. “We were trying to see what we could do to make it happen.”
Froehlich said he and his father bought the Red Barn building at 312 Danbury Road from the building’s landlord, Kevin Hart, in order to expand into the space next door. The building also houses The Loft Hair Studio and Candlewood Realty.
They acquired the space in early January, he said. The expansion included knocking down a wall and moving Bagelman’s storage room into the new space. Bagelman previously accommodated four tables and 10 chairs, but Froehlich said the new dining space can accommodate 10 to 12 tables and 30 chairs.
Froehlich declined to disclose the cost of the expansion, which he said is “almost done” apart from bringing in more tables and doing minor paint work.
Bagelman in New Milford is open from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
Some started out as militia training grounds. Others were intended to be burial grounds. Today, most of them hold concerts, holiday celebrations and quaint shops.Town greens have been part of Connecticut's landscape since the 1600s, and they have served multiple purposes throughout history. There are currently 172 town greens — a rectangular patch of grass near the town's center — in Connecticut, according to the ...
Some started out as militia training grounds. Others were intended to be burial grounds. Today, most of them hold concerts, holiday celebrations and quaint shops.
Town greens have been part of Connecticut's landscape since the 1600s, and they have served multiple purposes throughout history. There are currently 172 town greens — a rectangular patch of grass near the town's center — in Connecticut, according to the Connecticut Office of Tourism.
"They're places that really become centers of activity and centers of symbolism in the community," Christopher Wigren, deputy director of Preservation Connecticut, said.
The concept of town greens derives from England's village greens, areas used for recreational activities in English towns. When English settlers started planning out areas of New England towns, they reserved a common area for public use, according to Connecticut History.
"They needed this space for various things because...the church was a common space, but you can't have a market in the church. You can't talk about politics in the church," Eric Lehman, author of "Connecticut Town Greens: History of the State's Common Centers," said. "You can't do any of these things, so you needed a common space."
Lehman said that the earliest planned town green in Connecticut is New Haven's town green, which originated in 1638, according to Preservation Connecticut's database for town greens.
"The town green was famously built as a potential cemetery," Lehman said.
Early New Haven settlers buried thousands of bodies under its town green. While some remains under the green have been identified and relocated to Grove Street Cemetery or the Center Church Crypt, there are up to 5,000 bodies that remain buried under the New Haven Green, according to Center Church.
Another town green that was once used as burial grounds is Guilford's town green. The green was also used as land for livestock and militia training, and the graves there were moved from the Guilford Green to nearby cemeteries, according to Visit Guilford.
Today, town greens in Connecticut have varied purposes and appearances. Part of Lebanon's town green has a pasture-like area of long grass that reflects the "agrarian roots of the community," according to Preservation Connecticut's town green database. Other town greens, like New Milford's, are home to monuments honoring veterans or historical figures and moments. A bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln and a flagpole dedicated to Korean War veterans sit on the New Milford Green.
"Each (town green) is a little bit different. Each town operates a little bit differently," Wigren said. "New Englanders are very fond of that kind of independence. We make our own decisions, and if we run things a little bit differently than the next town, well, that's just what suits us."
Although many towns in the Nutmeg State have a town green, sometimes even multiple, there are Connecticut towns that have no town greens — or no longer have town greens.
In New London, maps of the town from the 1850s show a green space called a "town square" underneath one of the town's burial grounds. Today, the town's former green space is the location of Regional Multicultural Magnet School.
"Greens are not immortal. They require people to believe in them, so to speak," Lehman said. "If the community fractures, if people don't know their history, if people don't care about their community anymore, then these things go away. But it can also happen the other way."
Some towns have invested more resources into their town green spaces. On March 11, the city of Branford announced that it would invest in renovating the Branford town green this spring, making improvements to its grounds, sidewalks, crosswalks and curbs.
While writing his book on town greens, Lehman met a woman who moved from Branford to Florida and, a few years after moving away, attended Branford's Christmas tree lighting on its town green and burst into tears at the sight.
"She wasn't a spiritual person. She didn't go to the church there or anything, but this was a spiritual experience for her. This place, this center of her community," Lehman said. "This meant New England to her, this meant Connecticut to her, this meant home, and so there's something incredibly valuable about that."
Lehman said that it's important for Connecticut towns to maintain their town greens because they provide a concrete location for fostering "strong community spirit."
"That's the center, that's the town. It's right there. If I just live in some suburb, where do I live?" Lehman said. "That's what they think of when they think of their town...a green is a really valuable place for everybody to think about."
Correction: This story has been updated to say there are 172 town greens in Connecticut.
March 25, 2025
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Jayden Nguyen is a Trending Reporter for CT Insider. She has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2024.
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NEW MILFORD – Local homeowners seeking to rent out their properties online will need to abide by the new guidelines the town set for regulating Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rentals in New Milford.“We want to make sure there is a very saf...
NEW MILFORD – Local homeowners seeking to rent out their properties online will need to abide by the new guidelines the town set for regulating Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rentals in New Milford.
“We want to make sure there is a very safe atmosphere for the renters (while) still providing a good quality of life for the neighborhood where these short-term rentals are located,” Mayor Pete Bass said of the new guidelines. “We think that's more of a carrot for the short-term rental property owner to want to comply."
With the popularity of online platforms for short-term rentals, several towns and cities across Connecticut have adopted regulations or bans on such rentals, Town Attorney Randy DiBella has previously said.
In the New Milford area, over 1,000 homes are listed as short-term rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo – many of which are waterfront properties on Candlewood Lake. Bass said he is aware of about 75 short-term rentals, some of which are located “in the more rural areas” as well as in the Gaylordsville area and downtown.
The New Milford Town Council unanimously approved the new guidelines for regulating short-term rentals at its Feb. 24 meeting. The guidelines will be uploaded to the town website on April 1 as well as to Airbnb and Vrbo, according to Bass.
The town plans to send letters to the short-term rentals “that we’re aware of” to inform them of the new guidelines and to ask them to register as short-term rentals, he said.
Under the new guidelines, a short-term rental is defined as a single-family or multifamily home that is rented out for 30 days or less. The guidelines also call for homeowners to make a booklet available to renters “in a common space” of the rental with contact information for first responders in town and information on working the rental’s appliances, Bass said.
Homeowners seeking to rent out their homes will need to be listed on the town’s website as a short-term rental location, Bass said.
“If you choose to participate in this guidance, you’re going to be listed on our website as a property that has gone through the guidelines and decided to comply with that,” he said. “We figured it’d be an added incentive, too … because the public will be checking on that to make sure that when they go to rent, it will be (a rental) that follows these guidelines.”
The Town Council has been discussing the best approach to regulating short-term rentals for the past year, debating whether to enact an ordinance or guidelines. Bass said the council had talked about guidelines “as a best practice versus an ordinance for now,” according to the Feb. 24 meeting minutes.
“I think it’s going to make that experience a better one for everybody,” Bass told Hearst Connecticut Media Group about the guidelines.
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