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 John Brown Birthplace Site 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 Torrington, 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.
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother.”
“Thank you so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad”
“Thank you so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad”
“To honor Bob's memory, enjoy a round of golf, share your music with others, make”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Thank you for the excellent care given to my mom. It was a huge weight”
“The Renchy family of Guilford would like to thank the staff and caretakers at CT”
“Rick/Heather, Thank you for providing excellent customer service !! I have received several emails and”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently”
“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”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“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 with”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I have spoken to at the agency have been extremely helpful but more importantly kind and understanding. I have gotten quick responses to any inquiries I have made. The caregiver has been more than flexible and provides reliable help for my mother. I am feeling confident my mother is getting quality care to help her stay in her home.”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us longer than we did. This was very sudden and in Gods hands I guess. Her last meal was the pasta you made. We tried it too. It was excellent. So you provided her favorite meal. Thank you for that. We would recommend you to anyone who is in need of such services. Be well.”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us longer than we did. This was very sudden and in Gods hands I guess. Her last meal was the pasta you made. We tried it too. It was excellent. So you provided her favorite meal. Thank you for that. We would recommend you to anyone who is in need of such services. Be well”
“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”
“I am a current client of this provider 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 so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad during his illness. We are so grateful that your service was available and that you were all true to your words - you were there to help EVERY step of the way - Our words don't seem enough to express our gratitude. We will miss you all but never forget and we tell everyone we know about your agency and staff.”
“Thank you so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad during his illness. We are so grateful that your service was available and that you were all true to your words - you were there to help EVERY step of the way - Our words don't seem enough to express our gratitude. We will miss you all but never forget and we tell everyone we know about your agency and staff”
“To honor Bob's memory, enjoy a round of golf, share your music with others, make your town a better place, have coffee with a friend, help someone in need, and fill every day with two days' worth of life! The family would like to thank caregivers Pauline and Yvette of Always Best Care of Bristol and Hartford Healthcare at Home for their extraordinary care.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Thank you for the excellent care given to my mom. It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that Cynthia was there to care for her. Mom was very fond of Cynthia as well as the rest of the family.”
“The Renchy family of Guilford would like to thank the staff and caretakers at CT Hospice of Branford and the CT Hospice Homecare as well as the staff and caretakers from Always Best Care. A special thank you to Sue Dow who helped the family navigate the homecare process over the past several years.”
“Rick/Heather, Thank you for providing excellent customer service !! I have received several emails and phone calls from caregivers who have provided positive feedback about the aids that you deploy to their loved ones (my consumers). This can only be a reflection of your hiring practices and the training that you provide, we appreciate the excellent quality of service.”
“I am a past client of this provider 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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 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.”
“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.”
“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 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.”
“I am a past client of this provider 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 am a current client of this provider 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 Coe Memorial 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 Venetian Restaurant or visit James Alldis House, 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 Torrington, 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 Torrington, 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 Torrington, 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.
TORRINGTON – The city wants voter input on spending $6 million, 85% of which will be reimbursed by the state, for turf fields at the new high school and middle school complex.A referendum question on the appropriation is included on the ballot for Tuesday’s election.The expense would increase the cost of the school construction project from $179.575 million to $185.575 million.State Rep. Michelle L. Cook, D-Torrington, said the state Department of Administrative Services approved the inclusion of the addition...
TORRINGTON – The city wants voter input on spending $6 million, 85% of which will be reimbursed by the state, for turf fields at the new high school and middle school complex.
A referendum question on the appropriation is included on the ballot for Tuesday’s election.
The expense would increase the cost of the school construction project from $179.575 million to $185.575 million.
State Rep. Michelle L. Cook, D-Torrington, said the state Department of Administrative Services approved the inclusion of the additional $6 million with the funds the state will reimburse by 85%.
Previously, items such as athletic fields were not eligible for reimbursement, she said.
Originally the high school construction project included the fields but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the cost of goods increased, the Building Committee decided to scale back on some things, including the fields.
It makes sense to cover that shortfall now, Cook said, noting that athletics can keep students on track, giving them a reason to keep up their grades.
“It teaches teamwork and camaraderie,” added Cook, who is running for re-election Tuesday. “If we’re building a brand new school, a state-of-the-art facility, which will be one of the best in the state if not the best in the state, so how fair is to complete everything and leave the outside fields undone?”
Mayor Elinor C. Carbone concurs. She said it wouldn’t make sense to build a beautiful building sure to position educators “to really present robust educational opportunities” and have “mediocre fields” requiring a lot of maintenance.
“The fact that the state is willing to reimburse up to 85% of the cost for expenses that otherwise would not qualify for reimbursement is an incredible opportunity,” she said.
Carbone said the impact to taxpayers will be minimal.
Building Committee Co-Chair Edward Arum said the athletic complex will consist of two baseball fields, two softball fields and a multipurpose field. If they are grass, which is the plan as of now, Arum said maintenance would be more expensive.
Lining, watering and mowing would run about $90 000 a year, he said. The quote the committee got to maintain the turf is $22,000.
Turf can be used immediately, while the grass will need time to grow. In addition, turf can be used daily while grass sometimes has to be closed between activities to prevent overuse.
Arum said grass fields will likely need to be replaced about every other year at an estimated $150,000 cost.
He noted that the 15% cost the city will cover will come out of the $1.2 million in the budget to construct the grass fields.
Arum also gave an update on the school construction. He said contractors are getting ready to install black top in parking areas between November 8 and 18.
“So everybody will be for January 22,” he said.
The high school is scheduled for a Jan. 22 opening; the middle school will open next fall.
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Many living in the area of the former Torrington Company building said they’ve been dealing with a rat invasion for the past few weeks.More VideosTORRINGTON, Conn. — Torrington residents in the area of the former Torrington Company building said large rats are taking over their streets and homes.“They look like New York City rats, like sewer rats,” said Soskia Brown-Cox, who lives on Jardon St...
Many living in the area of the former Torrington Company building said they’ve been dealing with a rat invasion for the past few weeks.
TORRINGTON, Conn. — Torrington residents in the area of the former Torrington Company building said large rats are taking over their streets and homes.
“They look like New York City rats, like sewer rats,” said Soskia Brown-Cox, who lives on Jardon Street in Torrington.
Brown-Cox’s neighbor across the street, Samantha Wilson, said the rats are “the size of a baked potato.”
These residents are looking to evict the rodents that have moved in without warning.
“They’ll come wherever they can, they can get through any small hole,” said Jonathan Rich, a resident of nearby Millard Street.
Those dealing with the rat invasion said they think the recent demolition of the former Torrington Company factory is what’s causing the problem.
“Now we have rats and I think because of the building being taken down down the road. A lot of my neighbors down the road, a lot of them have had rat issues now which we’ve never had issues like this before,” Wilson said.
The rats have chewed their way through Wilson’s garage, tearing holes in the walls and leaving piles of feces.
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“It makes me want to move,” Wilson said. “We have two traps out, we’ve been catching two every night now for the past two to three weeks, we’ve gotten like 23 now so far is our total.”
Across the street, the rats have made their way inside the house.
“I own a daycare here so it’s been terrible. I’ve had to throw most of the stuff I had downstairs in the daycare away,” Brown-Cox said. “They’re eating my shoes and the stuff I just bought for my kids."
Residents called town officials and were told help would be on its way later this week, though exact details were unclear.
The hope is that assistance will arrive before the rats multiply.
“Fix the issue. I know it’s a good thing to take the building down, it’ll make the town look pretty but at the end of the day it does hurt other people in the community, too,” Brown-Cox said.
“Definitely need to remediate and just provide some guidance to all the residents as to what’s going on and to look into that because no one wants to see or have rats in their home,” said Jennifer Lent, a resident of neighboring McGuinness Street.
The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to request for comment on the rat issue.
Kaelee Collins is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X, and Instagram.
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TORRINGTON — Stop & Shop's High Street store is emptying out. Aisles of shelves are bare, except for a few remaining canned goods, cake mixes, rice and baking supplies, making the Torrington store seem even larger as it prepares to close for good on Oct. 31....
TORRINGTON — Stop & Shop's High Street store is emptying out. Aisles of shelves are bare, except for a few remaining canned goods, cake mixes, rice and baking supplies, making the Torrington store seem even larger as it prepares to close for good on Oct. 31.
Usually at this time of year, Stop & Shop shows its holiday spirit with an abundance of Halloween candy, decorations and children's costumes, But that area of the store is also empty now.
Outside, only a few cars sit in the parking lot on Wednesday, Oct. 9. But there are no rogue shopping carts; they're all inside.
Stop & Shop announced in July that it was closing five of its Connecticut locations. Along with one in Torrington, stores are closing in Ansonia, Danbury, Milford and Stamford. They are among 32 total Stop & Shop locations that will be closed across five states. That will leave Stop & Shop with more than 350 stores in all five states.
Torrington has another Stop & Shop located off East Main Street, where pedestrian access is difficult. That store's parking lot connects drivers to the Walmart shopping center next door on East Main Street, which is also home to Market 32, another grocer. Price Rite is in the same center as Ocean State Job Lots on Main Street, on the northern end of town. The city's other grocery stores are Aldi, at 320 E. Elm St. on the west end, and Big Y on Winsted Road on the north end.
There's still some food to buy at the Stop & Shop on High Street in Torrington. But only a few staff members are working, because there are hardly any customers.
The High Street store is in a shopping center known as Torrington Commons, which once was home to a JCPenney department store that closed in 2020.
Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone said earlier this year that she had been in touch with the plaza's owner, DLC Management, "to discuss options for continued grocery store presence at 211 High Street."
The city's economic development team is also "reaching out to other grocery chains to schedule meetings and will be doing direct outreach to shoppers at the High Street location," she said.
Only a few businesses remain in the plaza, including Warehouse Wine & Liquor and several restaurants.
Oct 10, 2024
Reporter
Emily M. Olson is staff reporter for the Torrington Register Citizen and the Litchfield County Times, both part of Hearst Connecticut Media Group. She is a 1997 graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a degree in English and a minor in journalism. She started as a reporter for the Patent Trader newspaper in Westchester County, New York, in 1998. After a brief period at The Register Citizen in 1999, she joined the former Housatonic Publications group as a reporter.
She was managing editor of the former Litchfield Enquirer and helped run the weekly newspapers at Housatonic and the Litchfield County Times. She returned to The Register Citizen in 2009, where she served as a managing editor and a community editor for towns in the northwest corner. As a reporter, she covers Torrington, Winsted and other nearby towns in Litchfield County.
Emily lives in New Milford. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, taking walks and spending time with her friends, family and her dog, Lucy, and cat, Natalie.
The Danbury Library is gearing up for its annual UFO conference, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. Over the course of 10 days, the library will host a variety of virtual and in-person activities.Get our free mobile appThe conference runs...
The Danbury Library is gearing up for its annual UFO conference, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. Over the course of 10 days, the library will host a variety of virtual and in-person activities.
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The conference runs from October 16th to 26th, but the presentation on the 24th truly caught my attention. The library will welcome UFO expert Marc D'Antonio for an in-person event. As the Chief Photo and Video Analyst for MUFON (The Mutual UFO Network), Marc brings a wealth of knowledge as both an astronomer and investigator. He has been featured on numerous TV shows and news programs, from CNN to the History Channel, and now he’s bringing his expertise to the Hat City.
Ahead of this exciting event, we had the opportunity to interview Marc on the I-95 Morning Show. It turns out D'Antonio has strong ties to our local area and shared stories about a couple of strange incidents he experienced in Torrington, Connecticut.
Dave: Have you ever encountered something that has disturbed you?
Marc: "I was a cast member in a show called Alien Invasion: Hudson Valley. You know, I'm going in as a science guy. One of the things we had to do was go into a home that was rumored to be haunted here in Torrington, Connecticut. It was actually pretty interesting because I didn't believe it. I just thought, 'Well, this is probably bologna in my head.' As soon as I said that, I was walking across the living room floor, and all of a sudden, my body was frozen by my feet to the floor. It was an ordinary house with a carpet. I know the people who own the house, and I couldn't move. I started feeling tingling riding up my legs, going all the way up my body, and when it got to my neck, I said, 'OK, OK! I believe you.' And just like that, it went away, and I could move again."
Dave and Lou: This wouldn't have happened on South Main Street would it? Was it at Burr Pond?
Marc: "Well, what’s funny is the house is near Burr Pond. I had my first experience at Burr Pond as a child. I’m not kidding; I was taken to the pond by the school. It was a school trip. I got off the bus with my little bag lunch, and we were going to see a pond that had been undisturbed. So, we get there, and I remember getting off the bus. The next thing I know, I’m getting back on the bus, and I still had my bag lunch in my hand. I said, 'When are we going to the pond?' The kids were just like, 'We’ve been there all day, you dummy!' and they were whacking me, you know how kids are.
I got home, and my mother said, 'Why didn’t you eat your lunch?' I said, 'I don’t know; I put it on the counter, went out to play, and started having seizures.' I was taken to the hospital, and they didn’t know what was wrong. It never happened again. I lost the whole day; the entire day was gone. We were there as a school. We got there at like 10 o’clock in the morning, or whatever, 10:30, and we left at like 2 o’clock in the afternoon, and all that time was missing. To this day, I have no recollection of what happened during that time, and no one remembers seeing me. It was the strangest thing."
Check out our entire two-part interview with Marc D'Antonio below.
Part 1 - Marc talks about his MUFON background. Marc also shares his opinion on why Americans seem to be indifferent to the era of UFO/UAP disclosure.
Part 2 - Marc talks about how advancements in photo tech have impacted his investigations.
Check out the Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Podcast on Apple and Spotify
D'Antonio will be leading a session called "How UFOs Travel From There to Here (Yes, They Are Here)." You can attend the presentation for free at the Danbury Public Library on October 24th @6pm but you must register online.
In the 1980's, New York's Hudson Valley was a magnet for UFOs. I should rephrase for the non-believers, the Hudson Valley was home to thousands of reports of unidentified flying objects. This trend wasn't just taking place in New York, Connecticut also had it's fair share of incidents with the most notable coming in 1987. What you're about to read really happened here in CT and it terrified hundreds of people who were left wondering what they had seen.
Everyone has a story to tell and some are more interesting than others. Recently, I was contacted by a Danbury man who had read an article I’d written about UFO’s and he wanted to tell me his story and share his photos.
From the opening sentence, I knew it was a story I wanted to hear and the pictures were even more intriguing. This is a UFO story from a Danbury man named Bill Salvador, in his own words.
These folks claim to have spotted UFO's in the sky over CT. Some are a downright jokes, others are hard to explain away and a few will give you the chills.
TORRINGTON — A new venue on Franklin Street will offer lovers of coffee and cats a place to find furry friends and refreshments.Perk and Paws Cat Cafe is under construction in a space adjacent to Riverfront, an apartment building in Torrington built by Pennrose...
TORRINGTON — A new venue on Franklin Street will offer lovers of coffee and cats a place to find furry friends and refreshments.
Perk and Paws Cat Cafe is under construction in a space adjacent to Riverfront, an apartment building in Torrington built by Pennrose Development that opened in 2022.
According to the Facebook page for Perk and Paws, the owners hope to open the cafe by late October.
"Although we had to relocate the cafe due to unavoidable issues (with) the previous location, we are happy to announce we have officially taken ownership of our new location," the owners said in a Facebook post. "We will be opening just steps away @ 100 Franklin Street. Thank you to everyone for being so patient, and continuing to support and cheer us on."
The cafe is partnering with Love for Meow, a cat sanctuary in Harwinton, During a street festival in June in Torrington, the cafe collected food, toys and donations for the cat sanctuary.
The new business, according to the owners, will have a special cat room and opportunities for patrons to visit with the animals. The cafe's rooms are now under construction.
"Soon you’ll be able to step into our cozy cafe and enjoy a handcrafted coffee drink and freshly baked pastries," the business said on its website at perkandpawscatcafe.com.
"Whether you're looking for a quick pick-me-up, a relaxing break or to sign up for a 50-minute play session with our feline friends, Perk and Paws Cat Cafe has all your needs covered: cats, coffee and cuddles," the post said.
The owners are promoting the business as Litchfield County’s first cat cafe,
Go to the Facebook page for updates.
860-261-4405
