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 Samuel Simpson House in Wallingford, CT 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 Wallingford, 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.
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 Doolittle Park in Wallingford, CT 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 Bocca Latin Fusion or visit Carrington 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 Wallingford, 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 Wallingford, 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 Wallingford, 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.
WALLINGFORD — Of the 30 Wallingford Health Department food inspections conducted in June, 15 of them — 14 restaurants and one school — received the most serious violations, primarily for incorrect concentrations of sanitizer and holding food at too high a temperature.In May, only four of the inspected eateries in Wallingford — a convenience store, a school and two restaurants — were issued priority violations.U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Code violations fall into three categories: priorit...
WALLINGFORD — Of the 30 Wallingford Health Department food inspections conducted in June, 15 of them — 14 restaurants and one school — received the most serious violations, primarily for incorrect concentrations of sanitizer and holding food at too high a temperature.
In May, only four of the inspected eateries in Wallingford — a convenience store, a school and two restaurants — were issued priority violations.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Code violations fall into three categories: priority, which must be corrected within 72 hours; priority foundation, which have 10 days to be corrected; and core, which must be addressed within 90 days.
All of the below information was taken directly from June inspection reports, which are public record. Core violations, the least serious, are not usually detailed here.
Funju Noodle Bar, 20 Ives Road, was inspected June 1. It received two priority violations.
One was for having insufficient chlorine in the dishwasher, according to the report. The restaurant said it would wash items in the sink until new chlorine for the dishwasher is purchased, the report said.
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The second priority violation was for storing raw chicken above produce in the cooler. It was moved to the proper location, the report said.
It also received four priority foundation violations, including one for having unclean dishes stored in a food prep sink. The dishes were moved to the correct sink, the report said.
Manager Tian Guo confirmed they moved the chicken and said they adjusted everything else properly.
Fratelli's Pizza Rustica, 950 Yale Ave., was inspected June 3. It was issued three priority violations, including two for having items being held at the incorrect temperatures. All items were discarded, according to the report.
A third priority violation was given for having raw chicken stored above raw fish in the cooler. It was moved to the bottom shelf, according to the report.
It was also given three priority foundation violations, including two for having the ambient air of the hot water bath used to keep food warm at the wrong temperature.
A representative said staff try to resolve issues “then and there.”
Mark T. Sheehan High School, 142 Hope Hill Road, was inspected June 4. It was issued one priority violation for having a bucket without sanitizer solution in it. The solution was discarded, the report said.
Sheehan's dining department did not respond to a request for comment.
Sliders Grill & Bar, 950 Yale Ave., was inspected June 9. It was issued four priority violations, including one for holding cheese and dressings at too high a temperature, the report said. All were moved to a different cooler.
The refrigeration service company had already been contacted prior to the inspection, according to Sliders Restaurant Group Controller Rachel Futia. “The cooler was repaired and fully operational within 24 hours,” she said.
Another priority violation was for having the hose connected to the mop sink with no backflow prevention in place. The hose was discarded, the report said.
The restaurant was also cited for no chlorine in the bar's dishwasher. The dishwasher was not in use at the time of the inspection due to a mechanical issue, Futia said, adding, "It was repaired and back in service within 24 hours.”
The fourth was issued for having the restroom sink hot water at too high a temperature. Repairs were made within two hours, Futia said.
It was also issued four priority foundation violations, including one for having unclean soda gun nozzles at the bar. Futia said they were replaced within 24 hours.
Mozzicato Pastry & Bake Shop, 731 N. Colony Road, was inspected June 10. It received one priority violation for having the sink hose at the wrong level. It was corrected by June 15, according to health reports.
A representative could not be reached for comment.
Napoli Pizza Restaurant, 1145 N. Colony Road, was inspected June 13. It was given a priority violation for having an unlabeled bottle of sanitizer with too high a concentration of chlorine.
It also received eight priority foundation violations, including one for not dating deli meat and cheeses.
A representative did not respond to a request for comment.
Subway, 218 N. Colony Road, was inspected June 16. It received one priority violation for not having the proper concentration of sanitizer for utensils, the report said.
It also had five priority foundation violations, including two for not having hand soap in the bathrooms.
A representative could not be reached for comment.
Juanito Pizza Express, 73 Quinnipiac St., was inspected June 17. It received three priority violations, including one for having raw bacon on top of plantains in the cooler, the report said. It was corrected on site.
While the restaurant had sanitizer concentration test strips, the inspector wrote, it is also required to have food-grade chemical sanitizer, which it did not. That was corrected on site.
A third priority violation was for having medication stored next to dry foods. It was moved elsewhere, the report said.
The pizzeria was issued two priority foundation violations, including one for having a dirty prep sink with food residue in it.
A representative could not be reached for comment.
Los Parceros Restaurant, 253 S. Colony Road, was inspected June 29. It was given two priority violations for unclean and unsanitized food contact surfaces, according to the report, and holding food at the wrong temperature.
It was given 12 priority foundation violations, including one for not having thermometers in the coolers, as well as 12 core violations.
A representative could not be reached for comment.
Cranky Coqui, 32 Center St., was inspected June 24. It received one priority violation for having the dishwasher sanitizer at too low a concentration, according to the report.
It also received one priority foundation violation for improperly cooling fried rice.
A representative did not respond to a request for comment.
Vuelvo Cocina y Cantina, 100 Quinnipiac St., was inspected June 25. It had one priority violation for having one sanitizer at too high a concentration, and another at too low a concentration. Both were fixed on site, the report said.
It also received three priority foundation violations, including one for not having dates on food, including Swiss and American cheese.
A representative could not be reached for comment.
Le Jardin Cafe, 86 N. Main St., was inspected June 19. It was issued a priority violation for having food at a temperature between 45 and 50 degrees, according to the report, when it should be kept at 41 degrees or lower. The worker threw out the food.
It was also cited for two priority foundation violations, including for not having sanitizer test strips on site.
A representative did not respond to a request for comment.
Henry’s Restaurant, 337 N. Colony Road, was inspected June 19. It received two priority violations for having sanitizer at too low a concentration, and for holding meat at 53 degrees when it should be 41 or lower, the report said. The sanitizer was remade properly and the food was thrown out.
It was also given a priority foundation violation for not having a thermometer on site.
The restaurant was reinspected June 30. At that time, food was being properly kept below 41 degrees, the report said.
Owner Henry Pellerin said one of two sanitizer solutions had too low a concentration of bleach on the day of the initial inspection. “It was a quick fix,” and they are remade frequently, he added.
The cooler, which is not in regular use at the restaurant, Pellerin said, was experiencing temperature fluctuations, and has since been rectified.
“We address anything that needs correction,” Pellerin said. “Every once in a while, you have an issue.”
China King, 159 N. Colony Road, was inspected June 19. It received two priority violations, including for using utensils that touched raw shrimp, chicken and pork, then using them to serve cooked food, according to the report. It was corrected that day.
Another priority violation was for an employee washing their hands at the sink with only water, and having no soap or paper towels there, the report said.
The restaurant also received five priority foundation violations, including one for having sanitizer at a too high chlorine concentration. It was remade properly, the report said.
A representative could not be reached for comment.
Fabi's Pizza, 562 S. Main St., was inspected June 29. It received one priority violation for holding cheese and meats at too high a temperature, according to the report. The violation was corrected on site.
Owner Viviana Caldero said the issue was resolved within 15 minutes.
The pizzeria also received one priority foundation violation for having pizza at too high a temperature, according to the report. The inspector was told a technician would be coming to service the unit, the report said.
Fabi's was reinspected July 1, according to a report, which said the hot water bath keeping the pizza warm had been serviced, and a photograph sent to the health department showed that its temperature was correct.
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For years, residents of a Wallingford apartment building saw the spiders. They did not know what they were.When a pest management professional was called to examine them, he thought they might be brown recluses, venomous arachnids that are well known out west but rarely seen in the Northeast.Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station entomologist Gale Ridge was called in to take a closer look. She then consulted Rick Vetter, a University of California expert on recluse spiders.The spiders were recluses, but not the brow...
For years, residents of a Wallingford apartment building saw the spiders. They did not know what they were.
When a pest management professional was called to examine them, he thought they might be brown recluses, venomous arachnids that are well known out west but rarely seen in the Northeast.
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station entomologist Gale Ridge was called in to take a closer look. She then consulted Rick Vetter, a University of California expert on recluse spiders.
The spiders were recluses, but not the brown recluse people usually have in mind. They were Mediterranean recluses, a related species from Europe and the Mediterranean region, and their identification marked the first state record for Connecticut.
Ridge said she does not want to identify which building the spiders were found in, concerned that disclosing its location could prompt an unpredictable public reaction. The spiders were removed.
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“Once the cat is out of the bag, people will react, and you cannot count on which direction they’re going to react to,” Ridge said.
The Wallingford find does not mean brown recluses or their Mediterranean cousins are established in Connecticut. The two spiders belong to the same genus, Loxosceles, but they are different species. Connecticut Poison Control says the brown recluse is not native to New England, and researchers place its established U.S. range in the Midwest and South.
The Mediterranean recluse, by contrast, has spread around the world with human activity and has been found in buildings far from its native range.
"All recluse spiders are very timid and very quiet," Ridge said. "They mind their own business."
Ridge identified the spiders late last year and published a piece on the find in a 2026 station bulletin. The male spider’s reproductive anatomy, which looks like a stinger, was the identifying feature.
CAES now describes the Mediterranean recluse as a first Connecticut record. That means it had not been documented here before, though it does not rule out earlier sightings that went unidentified. It also doesn't show how or when the spiders first appeared.
“I don’t know how,” Ridge said. “We will never know.”
Mediterranean recluses have turned up in other unexpected places. Researchers say nonnative recluses can arrive with transported goods and, when they establish, may remain confined to a building. Penn State Extension has reported them in steam tunnels at the university and other locations in the Northeast, and there have been documented sightings in Washington, D.C.
Ridge described another accidental route spiders can take: Produce shipments. She said she receives calls when shoppers find spiders among grapes, which can carry the hitchhiking spiders from the fields and through packing and transport.
“You have a picker who then puts it into a basket, who then goes to the farmer, who then packs it into boxes, who then puts it on a truck,” she said. “They go through multiple handlings, and they did not bite."
The word “recluse” can suggest a threat, especially given the brown recluse’s reputation for causing wounds that damage skin. But Ridge described recluse spiders as timid and solitary. The state Poison Control Center told CT Insider it receives spider-bite calls, but “very few” involve true black widow or brown recluse bites.
UConn Poison Control says suspected brown recluse bites in this region are often caused by other spiders or insects, or by medical conditions unrelated to a bite. Researchers have also documented widespread misidentification of spiders sent in as suspected brown recluses, particularly in areas outside the species’ known range.
Ridge said the spiders do not seek out people, and that venom is costly for them to produce requiring a significant amount of energy. They use it to capture prey, she said, and are not inclined to waste it.
"There are two forms of venom, in general terms, that spiders have. One is neurological, and the other one is proteolytic," she said. "There's no chewing mouthparts with spiders, so they have to figure out some magic way for being able to get lunch. With the brown recluses and this line of spiders, they inject an enzyme that dissolves the protein. So, if they hunt an insect, they will inject it or basically tap it with as little venom as they can."
That enzyme then "dissolves the interior of the goods inside the insect, and then the spider will suck it out," Ridge said.
"It's a mechanism of pre-digestion of the meal," she said.
When it comes to venomous spiders in Connecticut, black widows are far more common than recluses.
Ridge said black widows are solitary, tending to live in rocky areas, stone walls and on top of logs, where they can warm themselves in the sun. The spiders are reclusive, she said, and generally keep to themselves.
“They’re not colonial like yellow jackets, where there’s a whole part of the population that is genetically programmed for defense,” Ridge said. “These are by themselves. They really don’t want to tangle with you.”
Ridge said a spider is unlikely to bite unless it feels threatened. She described a scientist who held a black widow with forceps and worried it for the better part of an hour before it finally bit him.
“He said it felt like a hammer hit the back of his hand,” she said. “It took 45 minutes.”
Spider bites are rare, but they can be painful. Black widow bites usually cause pain at the bite site and abdominal cramps, which can develop into more widespread pain. Sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremors and breathing problems are also possible. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station advises applying a cold compress and seeking medical attention. Fatal bites are exceptionally rare, especially after medical attention, and symptoms generally ease within 48 hours.
A brown recluse bite may go unnoticed at first, but a blister may form within four hours and later break open, leaving an ulcer. Poison Control says there is no specific medication for the bite, and that worsening or unhealed wounds should be evaluated by a physician, as infection may require antibiotics or, occasionally, surgery.
A well-known Farmington developer is invoking Connecticut’s 8-30g law as it looks to build an affordable housing complex in Wallingford with more than 80 apartments.Local housing advocates praise Metro Realty’s plan, particularly since the company is pledging to set aside 80% of the apartments as affordable — vastly more than 8-30g requires. Nearly 20% of the affordable units will be set up as supportive housing, where disabled tenants receive part-time support services to live independently.The nonprofit Wall...
A well-known Farmington developer is invoking Connecticut’s 8-30g law as it looks to build an affordable housing complex in Wallingford with more than 80 apartments.
Local housing advocates praise Metro Realty’s plan, particularly since the company is pledging to set aside 80% of the apartments as affordable — vastly more than 8-30g requires. Nearly 20% of the affordable units will be set up as supportive housing, where disabled tenants receive part-time support services to live independently.
The nonprofit Wallingford Works for Housing group has endorsed Metro-Realty’s proposal as “a community-first, eco-conscious development,” and contends that it would benefit the entire community.
Some neighbors are already pushing back, however, arguing that construction on a part of a 21-acre parcel of fields and woods is needless and wrong.
“I strongly oppose this development and believe this land should be protected from this level of high-density development,” resident Ken Lloyd wrote in a Facebook post urging neighbors to speak against the proposal at town meetings. “Once open land and farmland are developed, we cannot get them back.”
Most apartment developers who use 8-30g meet only its minimum requirement: They set aside 30% of their units as state-designated “affordable housing,” and are free to rent the other 70% at far more lucrative market rates.
In return, they are essentially exempted from municipal zoning rules that limit building height, property density, noise, potential effect on neighbors’ property values and even architectural styling. For 8-30g projects, though, those considerations generally don’t apply; instead, a zoning board must prove a serious health or public safety risk to justify a “no” vote.
Metro Realty wants to use financing through the state Department of Housing and low-income housing tax credits from Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. Those programs are aimed at expanding the base of moderate- and low-income housing, and require a substantially higher percentage of affordable apartments than 8-30g does.
The town’s planning and zoning commission will take up the application at its meeting Sept. 14.
Metro Realty’s plan is to build 83 apartments, with 66 set aside to meet Connecticut’s criteria for being affordable. The other 17 will be leased at market rates.
“The development will consist of (seven) two-story buildings, with the apartments being one-level-living ‘stacked flats,’ each with its own outside entry,” according to an Aug. 6 letter by Timothy Hollister of Hinckley Allen, Metro Realty’s attorney.
“Eighty percent of the apartments will be affordable; 18 of these affordable apartments will be ‘supportive housing,’ meaning occupied by individuals with disabilities who will be supported daily by the Midstate ARC social service agency,” Hollister wrote.
If the low-income housing tax credits are approved, Metro Realty would lease 80% of its apartments at rates considered affordable to tenants making 30% to 80% of the region’s median income. For a family of four, that would work out to income caps ranging from $39,660 to $105,760.
The development would be along Leigus Road in the northeastern part of town, roughly a half-mile from I-91 and Route 68. The complex would have 37 one-bedroom apartments ranging from 856 to 936 square feet, and 46 two-bedroom units of 1,171 to 1,259 square feet.
The complex would have in-unit washers and dryers, and would offer walking trails to the south and north. Metro Realty is promising a community room, bike racks, and EV chargers as well as efficient electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems.
Midstate ARC would have staff at the complex to help tenants in the 18 supportive living units, Metro Realty said, and those apartments would be designed with accessibility features and extra assistive technology.
The company recently completed two projects with similar arrangements: Trailside, a 90-apartment community in Farmington where FAVARH has staff for 21 supportive units, and the 71-unit Highland Farms in Cheshire, where the Arc of Southington helps with 14 supportive apartments housing.
Metro Realty is building another in South Windsor, and plans two more next year in Farmington and Cromwell.
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