It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Monroe Historical Society 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 Monroe, 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.
“The staff at ABC has been wonderful! It's easy to reach them, they are responsive,”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”
“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend.”
“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”
“Thank you so much for your kind , personalized service. My mother was always resistant”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”
“Always Best Care Services is a good place to get good care. The employees would”
“My mother was in need of help after she broke her hip at 101 years”
“The staff at ABC has been wonderful! It's easy to reach them, they are responsive, respectful, and cheerful. This was the first step in getting outside assistance for our Mom and we were so impressed with how thorough the care was - the first helper checked to see that her home was safe and that she knew how to use her cell phone. We'd highly recommend using their in home care.”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always Best Care is providing our parents. You have guided us through this very difficult time and have helped us deal with my mother’s illness and her inability to care for my dad. Your caregivers are very capable and caring, and your staff is competent and thorough. We believe this makes your company invaluable to families with loved ones in need of assistance. We would recommend Always Best Care to anybody in search of quality care for their loved one. Thank you for all you and your staff do.”
“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend. We all thought she was wonderful!! I think her biggest strength is that she sees the work, needs little/to no direction, offers to take things out of our hands, and is a true-go-getter. For Billie, this type of help is great since she feels like she can take some time to rest and trust all is okay. Mary works hard and is also very patient. I really think Mary is a natural dealing with elderly. She is patient and kind! Anyway, what I wanted to ask is if Mary can be the consistent caregiver for the weekends. The other 4 caregivers that I have met are also very nice. We would like Mary as much as possible as she is punctual, and as I mentioned before, sees what needs doing. She is focused on what she can do to help. She doesnt just sit there next to Bill, she has eyes in the back of her head and goes the extra mile. Anything that needs to get done, she says no wait, let me do it if she hasnt already initiated it herself. She seems to have endless energy and never complained. I just felt compelled to drop you a this note to let you know how impressed we were with her. Thanks”
“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”
“Thank you so much for your kind , personalized service. My mother was always resistant to have someone come into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased with Betsy. Not only does she have someone to keep her company and meet her physical needs—her kitchen is looking cleaner than I have seen it in a while. Thank you again. Your kind manner was reassuring to my mother and to me, and you have made the process of caring for my mother at home easy, and provided me with much needed relief so that I can actually return to work with a calm mind.”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always Best Care is providing our parents. You have guided us through this very difficult time and have helped us deal with my mother’s illness and her inability to care for my dad. Your caregivers are very capable and caring, and your staff is competent and thorough. We believe this makes your company invaluable to families with loved ones in need of assistance. We would recommend Always Best Care to anybody in search of quality care for their loved one. Thank you for all you and your staff do.”
“Always Best Care Services is a good place to get good care. The employees would do their very best to take care of you in your time of need. I will recommended this facility to family and friends. I want to thank you so much for the exceptional care you took of my dad. I hold your agency in the highest regard and you have my deepest appreciation.”
“My mother was in need of help after she broke her hip at 101 years old. She refused to leave her home. Susan Oderwald took wonderful care of her. She found caregivers for her who treated her with kid gloves and she herself went above and beyond by getting papers signed, visiting her in the hospital and fetching things for her. I don't know what I would have done without her, since I live 3,000 miles away. I highly recommend her, her services and her staff of caregivers.”
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 William E. Wolfe Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Smithy or visit Monroe Historical Society, 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 Monroe, 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 Monroe, 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 Monroe, 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.
CONNECTICUT — One Connecticut Rite Aid store was to close Thursday and two others will be closing next week and the following week, respectively, as the once-mighty pharmacy chain endures bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years...
CONNECTICUT — One Connecticut Rite Aid store was to close Thursday and two others will be closing next week and the following week, respectively, as the once-mighty pharmacy chain endures bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years.
The company listed liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion in a Chapter 11 petition filed in New Jersey bankruptcy court. The Connecticut locations appeared on a list Tuesday as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.
The doomed stores are:
Cheshire at 180 Main St. — closing Thursday
Danbury at 113-115 Mill Plain Road — closing on May 14
Naugatuck at 56 Rubber Ave. — closing on May 19
Rite Aid Monday filed its second bankruptcy after the previous restructuring reduced the pharmacy chain's debt but still left it on shaky financial footing. The Philadelphia-based drug store chain also announced it is seeking a buyer, and said that re-filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection will speed up the process.
Rite Aid initially said it planned to keep its stores open, but that apparently changed a day later.
Rite Aid will still have a presence in Danbury. After the closures Connecticut roster will also include:
Rite Aid employees will continue to receive pay and benefits. But the company told employees it will cut jobs after failing to secure additional financing from its lenders, Bloomberg News reported, citing an internal letter from Schroeder.
Rite-Aid is the nation's third largest pharmacy chain behind CVS and Walgreens. All three have suffered financial difficulties and shuttered hundreds of stores in recent years.
Rite-Aid operated about 2,000 pharmacies as recently as 2023 but now has only about 1,240 stores as it enters its second bankruptcy.
This past weekend, videos of the allegedly "haunted" Annabelle doll racked up millions of views on TikTok.The TikTok account of paranormal investigator and former host of A&E's "Paranormal State" Ryan Daniel Buell posted a series of videos of the doll being transported and unveiled at the West Virginia State Penitentiary over the weekend. A collection of four videos posted by Buell amassed a large numbe...
This past weekend, videos of the allegedly "haunted" Annabelle doll racked up millions of views on TikTok.
The TikTok account of paranormal investigator and former host of A&E's "Paranormal State" Ryan Daniel Buell posted a series of videos of the doll being transported and unveiled at the West Virginia State Penitentiary over the weekend. A collection of four videos posted by Buell amassed a large number of views. One of the videos, which shows a team moving her into the West Virginia State Penitentiary, racked up 9.8 million views and more than 430,000 likes, as of May 13.
The Annabelle doll was at the former Moundsville, West Virginia, prison as part of the "Devils on the Run Tour," which sees items from the Warrens Occult Museum collection in Monroe, including Annabelle, travel around the country. W.V.P. Lockdown with Annabelle was held at the allegedly haunted penitentiary on May 8-11.
Other places you can find Annabelle are in New Orleans and San Antonio this week as well as dates in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
The Annabelle doll was given as a gift to a Hartford nurse in 1970. Once she brought it home, she and her roommates reported unexplained behavior coming from the toy, according to the New England Society For Psychic Research (NESPR), a paranormal research organization started by Connecticut's Ed and Lorraine Warren. It was said to have moved on its own, and in one instance, allegedly "attacked" the fiancé of one of the owners
The Warrens were called in to investigate, and they claimed that the doll was being manipulated by the spirit of an outside entity. After an exorcism at the apartment, the couple agreed to take the doll. The doll remains in the care of the museum, where it is behind a locked case with a sign made by Ed Warren that reads “positively do not open.”
The doll was the basis of the "Annabelle" movies, which are part of the larger "Conjuring" universe of movies.
There are currently no events scheduled for Annabelle to appear at in Connecticut.
While the Warrens Occult Museum remains closed and unavailable to the general public, items from the museum have toured around the country for those interested in the occult. The Warren's Seekers of the Supernatural Paracon, NESPR's annual convention with items from the occult museum, has not announced it dates for 2025, but has previously been held at Mohegan Sun.
MONROE, CT — Voters will decide on a $108.19 million town budget at referendum on Tuesday, May 6. It includes a 3.92 percent spending increase over the current budget.The Board of Finance unanimously approved the final proposal at its budget workshop Thursday night.The biggest change was putting $783,134 back into the Board of Education budget after First Selectman Terry Rooney had reduced the requested increase by $1.85 million.Board of Finance members Steve Kirsch and Samantha Spino pushed hard to restore $972,00...
MONROE, CT — Voters will decide on a $108.19 million town budget at referendum on Tuesday, May 6. It includes a 3.92 percent spending increase over the current budget.
The Board of Finance unanimously approved the final proposal at its budget workshop Thursday night.
The biggest change was putting $783,134 back into the Board of Education budget after First Selectman Terry Rooney had reduced the requested increase by $1.85 million.
Board of Finance members Steve Kirsch and Samantha Spino pushed hard to restore $972,000 of it.
Kirsch said the money is needed to meet the growing needs of the school district and argued that giving any less will put it further and further behind every year. He said he thought restoring $972,000 of the request was “a reasonable compromise.”
“Why don’t we give the voters the opportunity to vote it down?” Kirsch asked.
Spino contended that when people vote no, town officials have no way of knowing why, so some may want more education funding.
Chairwoman Rebecca O’Donnell said it is the Board of Finance’s job to manage the numbers before putting a budget out to referendum. She and Vice Chair Katherine Stauffer both expressed concerns over taxpayers as a whole, including seniors living on fixed incomes and others without children in the school system.
O’Donnell said she kept thinking of how the revaluation has shifted more of the property tax burden to residential taxpayers.
A few education supporters spoke in favor of restoring funding Thursday night, and many had attended a public hearing to make their voices heard.
O’Donnell said she has also received some emails from residents who are concerned about increased spending raising their taxes. She noted that people are often too embarrassed to speak publicly about not being able to afford higher taxes, so the pro-education voices are louder.
Spino said those without children in the schools benefit from the quality school system increasing the values of their homes.
O’Donnell and Stauffer said they support education and Kirsch and Spino said they think of all of the taxpayers too. After a lengthy discussion, board members agreed to compromise and add $783,134 to the education budget.
To help offset the $783,134 added back, the board proposed using available fund balance of $250,000 from the Special Education Reserve fund, $100,000 from the General Fund, and $18,561 from the Board of Education’s Sec 10-248A Fund. The rest of the funds would come from tax revenue.
By the numbers
The $108,190,824 town budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 includes $74,700,763 for education, which is a 4.53 percent increase over the current $71,464,259 spending plan.
Municipal spending would rise from $31,873,849 to $32,523,469 or by 2.04 percent. The budget also includes $966,593 in contingency and other appropriations.
The estimated mill rate is 28.67. Individual tax bills can be calculated by multiplying one’s assessed property value by the mill rate and then dividing by 1,000.
Rooney had proposed reducing the current tax rate of 38.27 mills and using $4 million from the undesignated fund balance to reduce the impact of the state-mandated revaluation on taxpayers.
Residential property assessments soared while commercial property values did not go up nearly as much. As a result, more of the property tax burden shifted to homeowners.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
MONROE, CT — The town of Monroe invites all residents to participate in a contest to design the town’s unique CT250 logo.What is CT250?: July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the country. The anniversary encourages us to reflect on our role in the creation of the nation: as individuals, as communities, and as a state.When we commemorate the semiquincentennial, we must ensure that Americans of all ages and backgrounds and in all...
MONROE, CT — The town of Monroe invites all residents to participate in a contest to design the town’s unique CT250 logo.
What is CT250?: July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the country. The anniversary encourages us to reflect on our role in the creation of the nation: as individuals, as communities, and as a state.
When we commemorate the semiquincentennial, we must ensure that Americans of all ages and backgrounds and in all places see themselves in history, appreciate its relevance, and understand how the diverse people of the past all contributed to the American story.
Eligibility: The contest is open to all Monroe residents. By entering, participants agree to be bound by the contest rules. Violating any rule or not following instructions may eliminate participants’ eligibility.
Submission Guidelines and How to Enter: The contest opens on April 15, 2025 and closes on June 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Late submissions will not be considered.
All entries must be submitted electronically to Library Director Nicole Cignoli, [email protected]. Submissions must include the full name of the person who designed the logo, email address, postal address, and telephone number.
One or more submissions per person is acceptable. Each submission must be sent in a separate email. There is no fee to enter the contest.
Logo Design Guidelines and Parameters: The logo should incorporate the number 250 and the words “Monroe” and “Connecticut.” Entries must be submitted as jpeg files.
For quality reproduction purposes, the winning entry must later be submitted in scalable vector graphic format (EPS). Color must be CMYK, though the logo may also be reproduced in black and white.
Contestants are advised to avoid gradients and half-tones. The logo must be easy to use, handle, resize and manipulate for all reproduction purposes.
It should be visually appealing on both small (as small as 2 cm x 2 cm) and large scales.
Intellectual Property: All entrants affirm their submissions are their own original work, have not been copied from others or from previous designs, including their own, and do not violate the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity.
The winning submission becomes the sole property of the Monroe CT 250 Commission during the celebration timeframe and may be used for any celebration purposes, including, but not limited to, display on websites, social media sites, posters and other materials.
The name of the winning entrant will be acknowledged in the commission website and the printed events programs. After the celebration year ends, on December 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST), the winning entrant regains all property rights to his/her submission.
If the winner is determined to have violated any rules, he/she will be required to forfeit or return the prize, even if the determination is made after the prize has been awarded.
Determination of Winner: The winning entry will be selected by the Monroe CT250 Commission members. Their decision will be final and no further correspondence shall be entered into. Entries will be judged on their visual appeal, quality of design, and ease of reproduction for the purposes stated above.
A winner will be selected and notified via email by late July 2025. Although there is no cash prize for the winning entry, the artist will be acknowledged during the celebrations, in the website and printed program, and receive free registration if he/she decides to attend events.
Disclaimer: Commission organizers are not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, or otherwise unusable entries, including entries that are lost or unusable due to computer, internet, or electronic problems. Commission organizers are not liable, for the purpose of winner and prize notification and delivery, in the event the contest winner has provided incorrect, outdated, or otherwise invalid contact information.
For information, visit CT250.org or call Library Director Nicole Cignoli at 203-452-2854.
MONROE, CT — Two large banners near the St. Jude School driveway beckoned drivers on Route 111 to turn into the parking lot and vote on the town budget Tuesday. That afternoon, a long line had formed at the polls.“It’s been very busy. It’s been steady despite the rain,” the moderator, Sue Waters, observed.By the end of the day, 2,249 people participating in th...
MONROE, CT — Two large banners near the St. Jude School driveway beckoned drivers on Route 111 to turn into the parking lot and vote on the town budget Tuesday. That afternoon, a long line had formed at the polls.
“It’s been very busy. It’s been steady despite the rain,” the moderator, Sue Waters, observed.
By the end of the day, 2,249 people participating in the referendum approved the $108.19 million budget proposal by a vote of 1,156 to 1,093, according to unofficial numbers from the Registrars of Voters Office. Total turnout was around 16.61 percent of those eligible to vote.
It was a difficult year, with a state-mandated revaluation increasing the tax burden on residential homeowners and a school district with student enrollment bursting at the seams.
“First of all, I’m really happy it passed,” Superintendent Joseph Kobza said. “I’m well aware of the challenges that accompanied this year, but I’m also keenly aware of the challenges facing the district and we needed this to pass to get the work of the district done.”
“The budget vote in Monroe has always been a critical event for as long as I can remember,” First Selectman Terry Rooney said. “So much history with multiple referendums and annual challenges. This is my twelfth year being involved in the process and by far the most difficult.”
“The impact of the state-mandated revaluation is going to have a tax impact I’m not particularly happy about,” he continued. “When July arrives there will be challenges, however I am comfortable knowing that this administration mitigated the tax impact to our citizens as vigorously as possible. We made very difficult, well vetted and some unpopular decisions to create confidently the most fair townwide budget while battling a hyper challenging environment.”
To reduce the impact of the revaluation on taxpayers, the proposed mill rate was lowered from 38.27 to 28.67 mills and $4 million will be used from the undesignated fund balance to offset what residents pay.
Individual tax bills can be calculated by multiplying one’s assessed property value by the 28.67 mill rate — the rate the Board of Finance is expected to set after the referendum — and then dividing by 1,000.
“Although the budget that was passed tonight was higher than my original proposal, I recognize how strongly the people of Monroe felt during this referendum,” Rooney said. “A narrow pass of 63 votes and a below 17 percent turnout is far less of a response than we should see for a budget referendum, however the people of Monroe spoke by casting a vote. Everyone had an opportunity to have their voice heard and the result is a passing budget.”
“As challenging as this process was, I am proud as your first selectman to successfully complete and pass what is considered by Town Hall veterans, to be the most difficult town budget in the last two decades,” Rooney added.
The approved budget represents a 3.92 percent spending increase over the current budget with $74,700,763 for education, which is a 4.53 percent increase over the current $71,464,259 spending plan.
Municipal spending will rise from $31,873,849 to $32,523,469 or by 2.04 percent. The budget also includes $966,593 in contingency and other appropriations.
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