AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“Staff is great there a great place to work and call your workplace”

Babispyce S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I’ve been a nurse for over 40 years, and I am currently a nursing professor. When my mom was recently in the hospital, I knew it would not be possible for her to be completely on her own right away. She loves where she resides and enjoys all of the activities that are offered. My goal was to get her back into her apartment as soon as possible with the support she needed to increase her strength and return to her prior level of wellness she had before she went into the hospital. She was used to walking a couple miles a day. When I reached out to ABC I made it clear that my mom would need somebody who would be willing to walk with her in the morning, and in the evening enabling her to get back to her baseline. I would like to complement all of the staff at ABC who provided my mom such wonderful support after two weeks she returned to her baseline and remained in her apartment. She really enjoyed all of the staff that were with her , they were professional they encouraged her to walk, drink fluids, eat and were instrumental in assisting her to reach her prior level of independence. I would strongly recommend ABC to anybody who is in need of support for their loved one.”

Robin Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Mom’s care needs have been progressing over the past month - increased difficulty standing. walking, decreased appetite, increased incontinence. (Part of the expected declining process per her Dr.) Tara has been wonderful in adapting to Mom’s changing needs as they develop and a very helpful partner in troubleshooting. brainstorming how to adapt to best support Mom. It’s also been helpful in my regular communication with Mom’s Dr, to let her know in detail what has come up and how we have approached. Thank you (again) for your talented staff!”

Jeremy H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Outstanding personal service from this company. All of the caregivers were personable and provided outstanding care to our aunt. I would highly recommend them to anyone who has an elder family member in need. Also, the staff that helped to set up their services was outstanding as well. They made the decisions easy to understand with no hidden agenda. Thank you again to "ABC!"”

KEVIN M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“You can't go wrong with this crew. Extremely patient and caring.”

Daniel S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Caring for family can be difficult and challenging at times. It's so nice to know that Always Best Care Senior Services is there to help!”

Cathy K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Taylor, John, and Kristine and their crew are the best. They are patient, understanding, and a joy to work with.”

Daniel S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sabina always has a pleasant, caring, and respectful attitude. I feel she treats me as she would as her own mother. She treats me the way she would like to be treated. We are a good “team” together.”

Tracy H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Diana has a total commitment of compassion, empathy, and respect for myself and my family. My daughters feel she is truly a tremendous caregiver. They know I am in good hands. She acknowledges with commitment of my physical, emotional, and practical needs, my quality of life has excelled due to Diana’s help. I look forward to her presence everyday her attitude is exceptional, Diana comes to work daily with a smile on her face. She enters the front door, singing softly ready to work. She has never taken a day off, I have had many caregivers, but Diana is truly the best!”

Anne H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Tina has been with us since the start, caring for my mom. Tina has nothing but my mom’s best interest at heart. She continues to go above and beyond to care for my mom, and ensure anyone else who may be there also understands my mom’s needs. Tina has even gone so far to rearrange her schedule or give up her free time to stay with my mom to avoid her having someone that doesn’t know her. I can see that she genuinely cares for my mom, and treats her as if she was her own family member. That also goes both ways, my mom lights up when she sees Tina. We consider Tina part of our family.”

David L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care helped our family get through a very difficult time with my mother's care. Kristine and Taylor are a pleasure to work with. They are very knowledgable and had the answers to all our questions. They were able to help with all aspects of the care we needed. I highly recommend them.”

John S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kristine and John are extremely caring and compassionate about helping their client's and family and making sure they receive the best care available. Highly recommended!”

Greg G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We needed some home care services for Dad who has dementia, and we made the right decision to trust ABC Senior Services for this support. Dad was lined up with a caregiver who was attentive and helpful, and she and Dad really hit it off. The management and administrative staff from ABC were also very effective and professional. You'll make a good decision to go with ABC Senior Services...”

Liam M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I approached Kristine regarding care for my elderly father. Even though he was outside her service area, she helped to find resources for us. Her commitment to providing outstanding care is only surpassed by her desire to help others. Thank you Kristine!”

Matt B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have known Kristine Lajeunesse for many years now through business networking and she and her Team at Always Best Care are very caring and professional and exactly who you would want on your side if you have a loved one who needs help!”

Ann B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The client care at Always Best Care Senior Service is outstanding”

Kimberly O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Rosemary has many great qualities. She is a hardworker, sensitive, has a giving nature and has an immense desire to help my father. Reliability is vital trait in Rosemary. When my father was in the hospital and came home she immediately wanted to be by his side. My father has come to rely and depend on Rosemary. She is always on time whether it is giving medication or administering food and often encourages my father and helps my father maintain his dignity”

Denise D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care provides caregivers to our building on a regular basis when we are short staffed. Due to our licensing, we can only have CNAs on the floor and Always Best Care has provided excellent CNAs every time we need some extra help. All of their CNAs have been helpful, willing to go above and beyond for our residents and we always have great responses from our own CNAs and supervisory staff. I am so thankful to Michelle and Wilda who will always staff a shift that I need, even if I call 30 minutes before the shift starts. You’ve been such a huge help!”

Kaytee S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have known John and Kristine Lajeunesse for almost 20 years and when my dad needed care following a diagnosis of dementia, I knew there wouldn’t be anyone better to call than them. The caregivers that have worked with my dad have been wonderful. They are true saints to my family, allowing us the knowledge that Dad is okay to stay at home. They have navigated all of the changes in his cognitive state with grace and kept my father’s dignity in place. He was always a very active man and the caregivers have managed to keep him active, even as his health declines.”

Belinda F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care helped me to get care lined up for my uncle, after I received their information from a close friend of mine that also used their agency. My uncle was a very proud man and did not want help from anyone, including family. Taylor met with me and spent time getting to know the ins and outs of my uncle’s care as well as his personality. She asked about his background so that they could look for a caregiver with similar interests. Although he took a turn for the worse rather quickly, the short time care was provided was wonderful. Thank you for your help and compassion.”

Karel O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My dad’s caregiver is great. He is a man of few words, but she is able to get him talking about all aspects and experiences of his life. They go out regularly and she encourages my dad to participate in the activities put on by the community he lives in. They run errands, go out for meals, or go for a drive just to get a change of scenery. I was nervous at first about how my dad would take having a caregiver come in to help him, but he seems so happy and has great things to talk about after his time spent with his caregiver.”

Martin F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you, Kristine - I am very appreciative of the professional manner with which you and your organization operates. From the initial phone and in-person conversations with Taylor, to the ongoing support of my mother's care - it's been thorough, timely and well managed. I am also struck by how the home-health employees conduct themselves. They are reliable/responsive *and* responsible, and making every effort to work through the challenges day to day with my mother. Thanks for the great job you and your organization are doing. It means a lot to me, especially during this trying time! Best Regards”

Anna T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff for all of your hard work and dedication to their clients. When my parents finally realized they needed help in their home, I chose ABC as the company I felt would be the best fit. Yes, we have had some ups and down, but when you paired Leah with my parents, it was truly a blessing. My parents love her. She genuinely cares for them and they speak highly of her work ethic. As my mom says, “she is too good to be true”. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your working with me to find the right fit. Well on our end, Leah fits like a glove and I hope she feels the same. She is a special person so I wanted to acknowledge her hard work and dedication to my parents. It makes me feel more at ease knowing there is someone coming to the home to properly care for them. Again I want to thank you all and encourage you to keep up the good work.”

Craig F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My family provides the care to my mother 24/7, we called Always Best Care to provide respite care to my mom while we took some time to ourselves for a weekend. Mom’s caregiver, Gloria, was great and she had the perfect disposition to work with my mom. She was attentive and kept mom well fed and engaged during the time we were away. We would definitely call Always Best Care again when we need some time away.”

Brenda
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TESTIMONIALS

“The caregiver that helped my husband and I were so kind to us both, especially to my husband while I spent some time in the hospital and rehab. Our caregiver brought my husband to see me every day while I was at the hospital and at rehab, I knew he was in excellent hands and I could focus on getting stronger again.”

Heather R.
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“i really like my caregiver, Victor very much. Victor is a very patient and observant aide who knows when I need his help. I knew from the first day meeting him that we would get along very well.”

Johnson L.
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TESTIMONIALS

““I want to give a huge thank you for the care that Always Best Care provided over the last year and a half. They started out assisting just my dad since he was wheelchair bound and then began providing care to my mom as well who had advanced dementia. The two ladies that helped them both did an amazing job and gave me the confidence that they were being well cared for since I live on the other side of the country. Up to my dad’s passing, his caregivers were there for him to provide comfort and companionship while managing my mom’s emotions as well during the difficult time my dad had. Being a nurse myself and in the healthcare field for a while, I had high expectations which were exceeded by the caregivers and office staff of Always Best Care.”

harry B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Both of Mom’s caregivers are exceptional. They are always professional, calm and extremely patient with my mom. They know how to keep her calm and to manage her anxiety. My whole family is very grateful, knowing that Mom is getting really competent care, great meals and friendly companionship. Thank you.”

Kathleen F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My husband had care from Always Best Care until he passed away. Thankfully he is on his "next journey" and finally pain free, while he was here with us, his caregiver, Craig, did an amazing job caring for him and was here to help us from our first day of services. Craig always managed to get my husband to share stories from his time in the war that even I had not heard before. It was a great way to get to know more of my husband so his memory can continue with others around him.”

Beth F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am very pleased with the care that Craig gave to my husband. My husband enjoyed having another man to talk to instead of conversation only between him and I. Craig managed to keep him occupied and safe so that I could go and get some time to myself, allowing me peace of mind that my husband was in great hands”

Sonia T.
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“I hired Always Best Care to help my mom who was living with me at home. She was diagnosed with dementia and within 3 months she could hardly do much for herself anymore. I was able to continue working full time while my mom received care from Always Best Care. We had the same caregiver from day 1 and she was absolutely amazing. She kept everyone in the loop with any changes my mom experienced and the regular in person and phone check ins were a great added support to myself and my family. Thank you ABC for all the help and compassion that you showed my mom until her passing.”

Laura
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“They are very caring and easy to deal with. They work with the family and the patient to see that the patient has what is needed for their care. In all we had a good experience with Best Care.”

Elaine G.
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“Our caregiver is the absolute best, you all got lucky finding her.”

Bob G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Anything from Always Best Care is good to have. The care from them has given me my life back. I wasn’t expecting a perfect match on the first caregiver, but Always Best Care did a very good job.”

Claudia B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have been using the services of ABC for almost three years, and I have worked personally with John, Kristine, Taylor, Michelle and Wilda, as well as the many wonderful caregivers who have attended to my mother’s needs with great care and attention. Throughout this time, my mother’s care needs have changed many times, and they have always been very responsive to any requests, including the directives of the hospice nurses that work in concert with all of them. Taylor and Michelle are incredibly diligent about keeping on top of issues that arise day-to-day, and running their questions and concerns by me. I remain a loyal customer to ABC because I feel that my mother is getting really great care, and will continue to see the warm, friendly faces she has come to know and trust today and every day. At 94 yrs old, my mother is quite dependent on the care providers for almost all her needs, and they always show up and make her feel safe and secure.”

Rachel C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“It has been a true pleasure working with you and your organization. You all demonstrate empathy and compassion in caring for frail elderly family members and insure distant families are comforted knowing you are there.”

Steve S.
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“Mom’s caregiver is a part of the family, we absolutely love her!”

Joe L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has done a fantastic job in providing us with at-home care for my step-mother while we prepared for her transition to move permanently to a skilled nursing facility. With their help, she was able to spend a full six months at home before moving. We would not have been able to do it without them. All the caregivers we have met and used have been kind and attentive, frequently going the extra mile, whatever that may be on any given day. The office staff is friendly, empathetic and very diligent in keeping all parties informed of all aspects of day-to-day care. They are knowledgeable, respectful and efficient. I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone who is looking for help in keeping their loved one at home for as long as possible.”

Sarah C.
 In-Home Care Bolton, CT

How does In-home Senior Care in Bolton, CT work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Bolton, CT

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Bolton, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Bolton, CT 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Bolton, CT

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

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 Bolton,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.

 Caregivers Bolton, CT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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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.

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.

Latest News in Bolton, CT

Bolton Man Gets Prison Time In $1.3 Million Investment Fraud Case

The man will also be facing a restitution order, federal authorities said. BOLTON, CT — A Bolton man has been sentenced to nearly four years in a federal prison for fraud and tax offenses.Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Mark Pagani, 61, of Bolton, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 45 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and tax evasion offenses.According to court documents an...

The man will also be facing a restitution order, federal authorities said.

BOLTON, CT — A Bolton man has been sentenced to nearly four years in a federal prison for fraud and tax offenses.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Mark Pagani, 61, of Bolton, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 45 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and tax evasion offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2013 to at least August 2015, Pagani conspired with another person, Known as "K.S." and is now deceased, to defraud an "investor" of more than $1 million.

K.S. arranged investment deals with the "victim," including the purported acquisition of mortgages on properties, according to case records. Pagani drafted documents to "memorialize certain investment deals," accepted funds from the "victim" and held the funds in accounts he controlled and eventually transferred funds to entities controlled by K.S. and others, according to case records.

By the time the "victim investor" made a third commitment, which was to acquire mortgages on properties in Springfield in Massachusetts and Middletown in Connecticut, Pagani knew that the first two investments had not occurred, and that the third investment was not legitimate, Avery said.

Find out what's happening in Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In association with the third investment, the "victim" wired more than $1.3 million to an account Pagani controlled and the funds were "comingled" with other funds, which Pagani sent a portion of to an entity for the benefit of K.S., according to case records.

In order to conceal the fraud and to create the appearance that it was a legitimate investment, Pagani wired false interest payments to the victim, according to case records.

In addition, for the 2014 through 2017 tax years, Pagani paid for personal and other expenses using his law firm account and underreported his income on his federal tax returns, resulting in a tax loss of $181,702, Avery said. Pagani was previously a practicing attorney with a law office in Wethersfield.

Judge Bryant will issue a restitution order at a later date, Avery said.

On August 20, 2021, Pagani pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of tax evasion.

Thursday's sentencing is related to Pagani's third federal conviction.

Pagani, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on Jan. 13, 2023.

Patch Candidate Profile: John Bolton, Planning & Zoning Commission

WESTPORT, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Westport will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Westport Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.NameJOHN BOLTON...

WESTPORT, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Westport will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Westport Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

JOHN BOLTON

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552039250967

What city or town do you live in?

Westport

What office are you seeking?

Commissioner 4 Planning & Zoning

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

J.D. 1990 / B.A. 1987

What is your occupation?

Attorney & Counselor at Law

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Proud Dad of KR Bolton - Staples H.S. Class of 2021

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Alternate Commissioner Planning and Zoning since July 2021

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

Feeling a strong need to get involved and give back to my community as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, in July 2021, I was appointed as an Alternate Commissioner to Westport’s P&Z. It has been a privilege to serve Westport in this capacity, and a pleasure working alongside the capable and professional staff at the P&Z Department. It's about giving back to my community with an eye toward making Westport – “Bestport”.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

"Density" as every major issue before the P&Z brings with it this specific issue. Affordable housing; traffic; infrastructure, parking, etc. To this end, I will continue to promote deliberative and responsible economic development that adds to the quality of life for all of us while ensuring Westport’s long term economic stability.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The most significant difference is the pace of development. We need to be more deliberative and plenary when entertaining applications that affect infrastructure, education, traffic, and property rights.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Regardless of party affiliation, incumbency or otherwise, a zoning commissioner does not get paid (with the notable exception of personal satisfaction) for devoting an enormous amount of time and energy to this most important position. The fact that an incumbent has already served and made the commitment to serve our town - in my opinion - makes it almost virtually impossible to have "failed the community".

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Traffic, promoting the tax base, infrastructure, affordable housing, and listening as the latter promotes TRANSPARENCY :-)

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a practicing attorney for 33 years, I have appeared in front of various ZBA, P&Z and Historic Commissions. In every instance I've broadened my perspective and experience in this realm coupled with serving the past 2.5 years as an alternate Commissioner on Westport's P&Z.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

More often than not, people come to me for guidance and representation because something is not going right for them legally. They won't always have party manners or be particularly happy when interacting with me or others because of the strain he/she/they are experiencing from a particular legal issue/controversy. Keep that in mind and be patient.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I cannot be an 100% effective Commissioner without input and feedback from my constituents. Every stakeholder in Westport is important to me - regardless of one's economic station in life. I cannot emphasize enough the implied partnership that exists between the electorate and public servants - a partnership that is truly effective with two-way communications and a never ending commitment to remain engaged with the community.

What’s brewing in Bolton? Beer is only half of the equation | WorkInCT

The CANdle Collab creates buzz over “beer can candles.”BOLTON, Conn. — Meg Crandall makes candles. Not just any candles, Crandall creates candles that smell like your favorite brew. She came up with the idea during the pandemic, and in April, Crandall opened The CANdle Collab – which is a candle making studio but also a place where she creates beer scented candles. Crandall said, “I take scents that you normally woul...

The CANdle Collab creates buzz over “beer can candles.”

BOLTON, Conn. — Meg Crandall makes candles. Not just any candles, Crandall creates candles that smell like your favorite brew. She came up with the idea during the pandemic, and in April, Crandall opened The CANdle Collab – which is a candle making studio but also a place where she creates beer scented candles. Crandall said, “I take scents that you normally wouldn’t put together and I blend them to make something unique.”

While The CANdle Collab offers many outlets for customers to create their own homemade candle, the other part of Crandall’s business model is what is getting the most buzz. Crandall has been busy making her specialty candles for breweries like Two Roads, Labyrinth, and Hooker Brewery who now sell the beer scented candles at their merchandise shops. She said, “it’s another way to bring the brewery experience home… we do sodas too.” She then added, “it’s a lot of mad science and a lot of creativity.”

Currently, Crandall is selling her candles to five Connecticut breweries and one cidery – The New England Cider Co. in Wallingford. After leading a candle making class inside her studio, Crandall said of her beer candles, “people like the fact that this is completely different, it’s something they haven’t seen.”

To learn more about The CANdle Collab click

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Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him onFacebook,Twitter andInstagram.

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A CT family farm has ice cream that’s as fresh as it gets. The 70 Jersey cows make sure of that.

Ice cream sold at Fish Family Farm Creamery in Bolton has a freshness edge because it doesn’t have far to go from the cow to the cone.The milk that goes into their ice cream comes from 70 Jersey cows on the farm and the all important “base” of the ice cream — or core recipe — is processed right there in their bottling plant, both conditions a relative rarity.“It’s creamy and it feels good in y...

Ice cream sold at Fish Family Farm Creamery in Bolton has a freshness edge because it doesn’t have far to go from the cow to the cone.

The milk that goes into their ice cream comes from 70 Jersey cows on the farm and the all important “base” of the ice cream — or core recipe — is processed right there in their bottling plant, both conditions a relative rarity.

“It’s creamy and it feels good in your mouth. there’s no after taste,” owner Don Fish said of his farm’s premium, 16 percent milk fat ice cream.

He said milk from the Jersey cows as opposed to the more common Holstein cows is higher in fat, protein, milk solids and calcium.

“It’s more nutritious,” than other milk, he said.

He also uses an old school “batch pasteurization” process that “locks the flavor in,” he said.

Stringent public health regulations require ice cream base be made in a processing plant, so some ice cream shop owners who say they make their own product actually can’t say they make it from scratch because the base is made elsewhere, albeit using their own recipe.

Fish Family Farm makes their base, as well as the base of other ice cream sellers.

With added swirls of flavor and chunks of ingredients, the creamery’s farm fresh ice cream takes taste to another level.

Fish’s grandson Justin Levesque, 36, took over the farm’s ice cream operation five years ago, and kept his grandfather’s “great recipe,” he said, but “went rogue,” on flavor creativity.

“The smile on their face after they take that first bite, I live for that,” Levesque, 36, said. “If you have a solid base you can do anything.”

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Fish Family Farm Creamery & Dairy in Bolton on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)

Levesque said they scoop eight to 10 flavors at a time in the farm store and now have a rotation of 53 flavors.

Some customer favorites are: Jersey Droppings, an espresso based ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans; Jersey tracks, a peanut butter base with chocolate covered espresso beans; Calf Tracks, a banana base with peanut butter swirl and miniature chocolate chips; and Mojo, a salted caramel mixed with chocolate covered pretzels.

Levesque said he’s finally created a cotton candy flavor with products containing less sugar that makes the eater “Feel like they’re at a carnival.”

To this day, vanilla and sweet cream remain overall customer favorites, he said.

A child’s wish fulfilled

Fish, 77, bought the 211 acre gentleman’s farm at 20 Dimock Lane in 1981 when he was 35 and already owned a successful business, DW Fish Real Estate Co.

He turned the property into a dairy farm, although he has remained in the real estate business and other endeavors as well.

It was the same farm he told his brothers while riding the school bus at age 6 that he wanted to own someday.

In 1988 Fish added a bottling/processing plant at the farm that cost $1 million back then to be able to bottle and sell their milk as well as the milk of others.

It was also in 1988 they started selling ice cream.

It takes milk, cream, sugar and few other ingredients to make the base required for ice cream.

Fish, a big Jersey cow fan, said they use the superior “batch pasteurization” process in which the base product is cooked in stainless steel vats and cooled immediately. It’s the way they did it in the 1950s, he said.

The more common shortcut method is to flash pasteurize the mix at high temps, he said.

“If buying the mix somewhere else. they would not pasteurize the base the same,” Fish said.

Embracing the community

The farm is about much more than cows, milk and ice cream to Fish. The community visits the cows, walks around looking at other farm animals, plays frisbee on the lawn, relaxes at picnic tables, and attends special events.

One reviewer wrote on the farm’s Facebook page: “Beautiful farm in a setting that takes you out of the stressful time we’re living in. Very therapeutic to come here…The ice cream is to die for, especially enjoy the maple walnut.”

Visitors can even watch milk being bottled through a huge window in the farm store.

“When you have a dream at 6 years old and you buy it at 35 you want to share it,” Fish said. “My biggest joy is watching the joy of other people.”

Fish still milks cows on Sunday mornings so he doesn’t get “rusty,” he said.

Levesque graduated from college and became a social worker, spending some time in the career, but didn’t feel it was his calling.

As for the ice cream business, “It feels like home,” he said.

Levesque said he wants to carry on his grandfather’s legacy of wanting to make other people happy.

The farm store where the ice cream and other items are sold is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer and until 6 p.m. during colder months.

Even though Sunday is a good day to sell ice cream they are closed then, Fish said, because he grew up believing that was “the Lord’s day,” and you shouldn’t do any work you don’t have to.

Alltown Fresh opens in Bolton

Listen to this articleGuests visiting the new Alltown Fresh location in Bolton are often surprised to find what looks like a stylish and quaint cafe inside what might appear to be a typical gas station and convenience store from the outside.The store, which opened on Dec. 7, joins other Connecticut locations in Middlebury, Waterbury, and Hamden, and chef Peter Popowycz has worked in all of them. He said he, too, was surprised when he first entered one of the Alltown Fresh locations.“The food is first here,” P...

Listen to this article

Guests visiting the new Alltown Fresh location in Bolton are often surprised to find what looks like a stylish and quaint cafe inside what might appear to be a typical gas station and convenience store from the outside.

The store, which opened on Dec. 7, joins other Connecticut locations in Middlebury, Waterbury, and Hamden, and chef Peter Popowycz has worked in all of them. He said he, too, was surprised when he first entered one of the Alltown Fresh locations.

“The food is first here,” Popowycz said. “That’s where the emphasis is. Gas is secondary, it’s the convenience. The menu itself is pretty amazing. It’s chef-crafted and locally sourced. It’s just a different vibe. I think when people come in here, it’s the one-on-one attention. It’s the service. We’re getting regulars, now, so there’s name recognition. So, a lot of the employees that work in these stores, they like their work. They don’t just leave. That says something about your business.”

Sous Chef Aaron Bail said he was impressed on his first encounter with Alltown, as well.

“I went to the interview and my fiancé asked, ‘You’re going to be a chef at a gas station?'” he said. “I said, ‘Just wait until you walk in and see.’ I used to work in a grocery store chain that was kind of like this. Everything is nice, clean, and shiny. It’s really impressive to walk into a place like this.”

The biggest sellers are the breakfast sandwiches, which are made to order in the open kitchen, and the staff caters to the customers’ individual tastes and needs.

“We have vegan/vegetarian focused items. We do things for people who have gluten issues or special diets. We’re pretty flexible with the menu, and everything is fresh. We make mostly everything from scratch,” Popowycz said. “The breakfast sandwiches are a staple. We’re just busy straight through breakfast. The products we use are cage-free organic eggs. We try to stay with clean products. We inspect our labels and we try to make sure that everything has the smallest amount of chemicals and preservatives, as much as possible. We don’t have fryolators, we don’t have microwaves. We sauté everything and cook everything to order.”

People have been responding to it very well, Popwycz said.

“There are so many different ideas of what healthy is,” he said. “We accommodate all of that. We never say no. We make it to order.”

Bail said customers are impressed with the bowls, and special menu items.

“We do a lot of the bowls – the wagyu barbacoa bowl (featuring wagyu beef, salsa, rice, and beans), the teriyaki rice bowl – we do a lot of those. The prime rib sandwich, the special of the month. We bring in a full prime rib, we roast it off and cook it for four to five hours.”

The location features a corner dedicated to mostly local products, and the café area will expand to outside in warmer months. There is also an automated fresh coffee area, and staff can prepare café beverages, including cappuccinos and lattes. Alltown Fresh also offers catering and meal kits.

Samples are offered every day, sometimes even at the gas pumps. Many people come in for candy bars or junk food, but find themselves opting for fresh sandwiches or gourmet coffee beverages. The staff members also have flexibility to create their own specials and get creative according to customers’ requests.

“One of the things I like to see is when moms come in with their kids,” Popowycz said. “It feels good to be able to serve somebody something that is good for them – a better option.”

For more information, visit www.alltownfresh.com.

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