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 Noah Webster House West Hartford Historical Society in West Haven, 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 West Haven, 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 Bradley Point Park in West Haven, 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 olea or visit WIlliam Campbell Monument, 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 West Haven, 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 West Haven, 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 West Haven, 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.
WEST HAVEN — City officials have long wanted to redevelop a neglected baseball stadium. Now, the city is making its pitch to potential teammates in the community.West Haven posted a request for proposals last week seeking a private partner to assist with the redevelopment and revitalization of Quigley Memorial Stadium, a dilapidated baseball field in the city’s Allingtown section. The stadium was once the historic host of a West Haven-based minor league baseball team. Today, the field gets some use from school athletics te...
WEST HAVEN — City officials have long wanted to redevelop a neglected baseball stadium. Now, the city is making its pitch to potential teammates in the community.
West Haven posted a request for proposals last week seeking a private partner to assist with the redevelopment and revitalization of Quigley Memorial Stadium, a dilapidated baseball field in the city’s Allingtown section. The stadium was once the historic host of a West Haven-based minor league baseball team. Today, the field gets some use from school athletics teams and an amateur baseball team, but many of its features have seen better days: its press box and concession stand are boarded over and disconnected from the electrical grid; its bleachers are in poor quality; and the stadium lights have been claimed as the home of an osprey nest.
Mayor Dorinda Borer said the city's estimates for work are not cheap, costing likely between $2.5 and $3 million in repairs. However, Borer said, a city project in a different area of West Haven has since sparked an idea. Last year, the city announced an agreement to license four of six fields at Morse Park to the Orange-based baseball club The Grind, giving a private partner access to city-owned fields contingent upon The Grind’s maintenance and upkeep of the facilities.
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Borer said there were initial “growing pains” with the Morse Park partnership, but stakeholders said by the end of the season, they were content.
“If that model has worked, why not look at a similar model for Quigley?” she said.
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Although Quigley Stadium has historically been a baseball field, officials now believe the space’s best use is as a year-round facility.
“The City of West Haven envisions Quigley Memorial Stadium as a restored, vibrant community asset that honors its rich baseball heritage while serving as a year-round venue for athletics, recreation, education, entertainment, and community events,” the city wrote in its Aug. 25 request for proposals.
Carrie Malangone, an Allingtown resident who has personally advocated for the field’s placement on national and state registries of historic places, said she was “pleased” by the city’s direction in seeking public-private partnerships.
“I am glad we are looking to rebuild and move forward the field for this day and age,” she said.
Malangone, despite her advocacy for baseball, said she also supports making it a multi-sport facility.
“Because of living in New England, a baseball field we really can’t utilize 365 days out of the year,” she said. “We have to move forward to a multipurpose (use), which is the right plan, and open it up to the community. Allingtown doesn’t have that many spots to do anything community-wise.”
Dominic Konareski, a local sports podcaster who has repeatedly spotlighted the state of the field on his show, said he is also supportive of the city’s initiative, saying in a written statement, it’s “one of the biggest moves we have seen to saving Quigley Stadium, not only in this decade but likely in this century as a whole.”
In its request, the city outlined a long list of desired improvements, including field reconstruction, irrigation and drainage systems, stadium seating, accessibility improvements, restroom and concession facilities, press box renovation, scoreboard replacement, parking enhancements, WiFi infrastructure, sound systems, locker rooms, batting cages, practice fields, walking paths and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Quigley Stadium is not the only city-owned facility for which the city is seeking private partnerships. City officials posted a request for proposals, one day after its Quigley Stadium request, seeking businesses, nonprofits and providers interested in leasing roughly 20,000 square feet across two floors of the Johnson Center on Noble Street. As the city moves closer to opening its new community center at the former Anna V. Molloy School, which will incorporate senior center programs, West Haven officials are looking for tenants to occupy its senior center.
“It’s a really great space: it’s a very large space, it has a kitchen, but we just outgrew it as a senior center,” Borer said. “Because it’s a former school, it actually has a bathroom in every room.”
Borer said one of the city’s main conditions for potential tenants is that their program or business be compatible with the first-floor early childhood center.
WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) - A new ordinance in West Haven requires city departments to donate excess food rather than throw it away, according to city officials.WHEAT Inc., a free food pantry, has served West Haven and the surrounding area for more than 50 years, providing more than 300,000 pounds of food each year to families in need, according to the organization. Sara Hannafin, of WHEAT Inc., said there is a significant need for food assistance in Connecticut right now.“There’s a big need right now in the state of...
WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) - A new ordinance in West Haven requires city departments to donate excess food rather than throw it away, according to city officials.
WHEAT Inc., a free food pantry, has served West Haven and the surrounding area for more than 50 years, providing more than 300,000 pounds of food each year to families in need, according to the organization. Sara Hannafin, of WHEAT Inc., said there is a significant need for food assistance in Connecticut right now.
“There’s a big need right now in the state of Connecticut,” Hannafin said. “There has been a severe increase in past months.”
Hannafin said the new ordinance will help address supply shortages at the pantry.
“Rather than food being thrown away, it’s now going to be able to come into our pantry,” Hannafin said. “People will be able to eat it on the same day we get it, and it will fill a gap.”
West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer said the goal is to prevent food waste across the city.
“We don’t want any food wasted in our community,” Borer said. That includes leftover food from schools, firehouses, or other city departments hosting events, according to Borer.
“We could bring it over, once they’re a certified kitchen, which they are now. We can bring excess food over, right over to them,” Borer said.
Some of that food is expected to go to organizations like First Congregational Church, which serves hot meals several times each month. Ruth Costa, who cooks weekly at the church, said the high school has worked with the church on its Friday meals.
“The high school’s been working with us on our Friday meals for a while now,” Costa said.
Costa said she and other cooks get creative with leftover ingredients.
“We make soups out of it, gather them together, make different types of casseroles,” Costa said. “Sometimes I’ve got three different casseroles I’m serving.”
The city’s Food Policy Council will coordinate the effort to ensure excess food reaches the right places, according to Hannafin.
“We’re ready to dive in and help anyway we can to make sure that food stays out of landfills and comes into the pantry,” Hannafin said.
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NEW HAVEN, CT — A fixture at CitySeed Farmers Markets, and usually with the longest line, after two decades in business in New Haven, SoNo Bakery is closing its doors effective Nov. 1, the shop announced Wednesday.After more than 20 wonderful years, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors. Sunday, November 1st will be our last day.It is hard to put into words what these past two decades have meant to us. What began as a bakery café grew into something far more meaningful—a place where...
NEW HAVEN, CT — A fixture at CitySeed Farmers Markets, and usually with the longest line, after two decades in business in New Haven, SoNo Bakery is closing its doors effective Nov. 1, the shop announced Wednesday.
After more than 20 wonderful years, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors. Sunday, November 1st will be our last day.
It is hard to put into words what these past two decades have meant to us. What began as a bakery café grew into something far more meaningful—a place where friendships were formed, milestones were celebrated, and countless memories were made.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of being part of your daily routines, family traditions, and special occasions. From morning coffees and favorite pastries to casual lunches and celebrations, you welcomed us into your lives, and for that, we are truly grateful.
To our loyal customers, many of whom have become dear friends, thank you for your unwavering support, kindness, and encouragement. You have been the heart of our business and the reason we have been able to do what we love for so many years.
We are also deeply grateful to the wonderful employees, past and present, who have been part of our journey. Their hard work, dedication, and care helped make our bakery café the special place it became.
Although closing this chapter is bittersweet, we do so with immense gratitude and pride in what we have built together. The memories, friendships, and connections we have made will stay with us long after our doors close.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your community and your lives for more than 20 years. It has truly been our pleasure and privilege to serve you.
- John and SoNo Baking Team.
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WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) - City leaders in West Haven are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to this weekend’s nor’easter, hoping to prevent as much damage and disruption as they can.West Haven’s Emergency Operation Center is active and will continue to monitor the storm throughout the weekend.Flooding, power outages possibleHeavy rain and high winds pose a risk for coastal flooding and power outages. United Illuminating said 100 additional linemen will be ready to respond.All three flood gat...
WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) - City leaders in West Haven are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to this weekend’s nor’easter, hoping to prevent as much damage and disruption as they can.
West Haven’s Emergency Operation Center is active and will continue to monitor the storm throughout the weekend.
Heavy rain and high winds pose a risk for coastal flooding and power outages. United Illuminating said 100 additional linemen will be ready to respond.
All three flood gates were closed at 6 p.m. Friday to keep drivers out of flood-prone areas.
The city’s Emergency Management Agency director said crews have done all they can ahead of the severe weather.
Rick Fontana, West Haven Emergency Management, said, “You’re not going to stop the water and you’re not going to stop the wind, so we’ll just have to deal with the impacts, but we have everyone ready. This will be all, all, all hands on.”
The city’s beaches were also reinforced. Crews built up the sand dunes, hoping to prevent flooding and damage like was seen this summer.
City officials are encouraging people to stay in if they can and to be prepared for possible power outages.
At a yacht club in New Haven, rain had not been much of a factor while wind had been the bigger issue. The wind was expected to continue as the storm moves toward the coast.
A check of the United Illuminating outage map showed about 17 outages, most located in the Fairfield area, with about a dozen customers without power in the New Haven area. United Illuminating reported roughly 250 customers without power at the time of the report, which the utility said amounted to less than 1% of its customers.
United Illuminating brought in at least 100 additional linemen to respond to outages.
Crews were ready to respond as conditions continue along the coastline. Residents in the New Haven, Milford and shoreline areas were asked to report power outages.
WEST HAVEN — With just months left until the federal government will take back any unspent funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, local officials have little time to determine if a plan for a new library meets federal guidelines.Officials from the West Haven Public Library and the Village Improvement Association, the third-party nonprofit that manages the library, are sounding the alarm that $1 million in earmarked federal funds may not be appropriated by an appointed city committee before those funds expire.For si...
WEST HAVEN — With just months left until the federal government will take back any unspent funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, local officials have little time to determine if a plan for a new library meets federal guidelines.
Officials from the West Haven Public Library and the Village Improvement Association, the third-party nonprofit that manages the library, are sounding the alarm that $1 million in earmarked federal funds may not be appropriated by an appointed city committee before those funds expire.
For six years, West Haven's Allingtown neighborhood has been without a branch library after its building was sold to a private developer.
Multiple efforts to find suitable locations for a new library in the ensuing years had been fruitless because of issues with location, economics, utilities or the overall viability of the project.
Now that the VIA has identified a viable property on the Boston Post Road, the city's ARPA Committee is recommending a portion of that $1 million be allocated to paving instead.
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"The VIA has been working diligently over the last six years to find a space and utilize that funding,” West Haven Public Library Director Colleen Bailie said Thursday.
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When the ARPA funds were released by the federal government, West Haven received a $29 million allocation intended for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Per federal regulations, funds needed to be obligated to specific projects by the end of 2024 and expended by the end of 2026.
Before the end of 2024, an agreement was signed stipulating that $1 million in ARPA funds be spent on renovating two floors of the Blake building on Ogden Street into the long-awaited Allingtown branch library. However, after a year of stalled negotiations over an agreement to either lease or purchase the building, the building sold near the end of 2025 to a different entity.
In August of this year, the VIA believed it found a solution just in time to maximize that $1 million, signing a letter of intent to purchase 703 Boston Post Road.
Then the organization heard the city's ARPA Committee determined the $1 million would be clawed back by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for falling outside of government guidelines the purchase of the site were approved.
Lawyers for both the VIA and the ARPA Committee are now expected to talk through the issue at a special City Council meeting noticed for Oct. 6.
West Haven ARPA Committee Chairman Ken Carney said Thursday that one of the most important rules under federal guidelines is that projects can be amended after the Dec. 31, 2024 deadline, but only if they're "substantially the same scope and substantially the same purpose."
"If you break the rule, you break the money," he said.
According to Carney, the federal guideline around the scope of work is why the committee can recommend the use of ARPA funds for paving projects instead of purchasing a new property, as the city has already approved using a portion of the federal money for paving.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury did not respond to an emailed request for comment Thursday.
Carney said the original agreement stipulated the renovation of an existing structure. The library's current proposal is for the procurement of a property and demolition of the existing structures, which he said is a critical difference.
Yet supporters of the library believe the ARPA Committee is prioritizing other projects over a new city library in Allingtown.
"We think he's playing fast and loose with federal guidelines," said Bill Heffernan, a state representative for West Haven and a former president of the VIA, of Carney.
Heffernan said the ARPA Committee has raised concerns about the financial viability of the library project, but VIA officials believe it's no concern if they are able to procure the Boston Post Road property.
"There's plenty of grants and bond money available, that’s what I do in Hartford,” he said. "But I can't do a capital campaign if we don’t own the property."
Bailie said it's the library's position that the approval of ARPA funds is outside of the scope of work for the ARPA Committee, and it's the City Council that holds the purse strings. Carney agreed that his committee does not have any say in how the funds are spent, but his committee is in place to maximize the city's use of federal funds by guaranteeing the federal government does not demand money back.
Carney added that he believes the council does not have the full facts about the financial impact of the project, especially if the $1 million is not an acceptable use of federal funds as he believes.
Current VIA President Leonard Adams declined to comment for this story.
In addition to plans for a branch library, the VIA purchased a van to be used as a bookmobile. Bailie said the vehicle was purchased in July with endowment funds and arrived in August, but the ARPA Committee has yet to recommend the reimbursement with federal funds for that vehicle. Bailie said the VIA purchased the vehicle with an expectation it would be eligible for that reimbursement.
Carney said he sees the bookmobile as a potential workaround for a branch library, as renovating the vehicle to serve as a mobile library branch could fit within the acceptable scope of work under federal guidelines.
Mayor Dorinda Borer said Friday that she believes the renovation of the bookmobile is likely to be the best allowable use of the ARPA funds.
"The intention of that mobile unit is to serve the neighborhood," she said. "I don't see any challenges with the ARPA Committee providing funding for that."
However, Borer said she would defer to the expertise of lawyers who will review and interpret the federal guidelines at the City Council's special meeting next month.
Heffernan said the VIA, after being told the Boston Post Road site cannot be purchased with the aid of the $1 million in ARPA funds, was approached about renovating West River Hall on Orlando Street, which is owned by an LLC controlled by Carney.
"It's not conducive for a library,” he said. "It's at the very end of the district, it's not really centrally located and it's not quite big enough."
Bailie said the property is a vendor hall, outfitted with kitchens and a bar, when what the VIA wants is a library.
Carney denied that he had any role in proposing West River Hall to the VIA, and it was the work of a realtor who contacted the board. Carney said he listed the property on the market two years after the VIA signed the agreement to renovate the Blake building, and if the VIA had considered West River Hall that he'd have left the room during the ARPA Committee discussion as it would be a conflict of interest.
Before the council resolved to call that special meeting at a Sept. 14 meeting, Councilwoman Anne Heffernan, D-1, who is the state representative's wife and the council's liaison to the library, spoke in support of granting the $1 million to the library. She said that, while she supports paving and infrastructure, the Allingtown neighborhood has badly needed a library for years.
Councilwoman Dawn Callahan, D-5, agreed at that meeting that the need for library services in Allingtown is severe.
"There are people that desperately need this library," she said. "They don’t have a computer, they don’t have other means. It's desperately needed to find jobs, to have access, to have availability.”
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