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 Oxford Castle & Prison in Oxford, 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 Oxford, 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.
“I had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care of Milford. They were very”
“Jermaine is an OUTSTANDING care provider! Service oriented, friendly, professional and SAFETY first always! Bravo”
“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”
“I had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care of Milford. They were very kind and professional from the inside staff and the care providers. Always Best Care provided my family with peace of mind while they took care of my 93-year-old mother-in-law at her home with breakfast, light PT , showering, dressing keeping her engaged. They provided the very best care.”
“Jermaine is an OUTSTANDING care provider! Service oriented, friendly, professional and SAFETY first always! Bravo Jermaine!”
“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 Lily Park in Oxford, 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 The Folly Restaurant or visit Martyrs' Memorial, 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 Oxford, 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 Oxford, 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 Oxford, 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.
The proposal would replace the annual capital-plan town meeting with a February public hearing and change rules for finance-board members.OXFORD, CT — Oxford voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to change how the town reviews its long-term capital plans, including replacing the annual capital-plan town meeting with a public hearing.The town has announced that the proposed 2026 charter revision will appear on the November ballot. If approved, the revisions would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, according to the proposed charter re...
OXFORD, CT — Oxford voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to change how the town reviews its long-term capital plans, including replacing the annual capital-plan town meeting with a public hearing.
The town has announced that the proposed 2026 charter revision will appear on the November ballot. If approved, the revisions would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, according to the proposed charter revisions published in the town’s legal notice.
Oxford’s current charter calls for a Capital Plan Town Meeting on the second Monday in March. As Patch reported in August, the proposed replacement would be a joint public hearing held by the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance no later than the first week of February.
The hearing would cover a five-year plan. School and town department representatives would explain anticipated building needs and major improvements.
“No funding for any items included in the Capital Plan shall be appropriated or approved at the meeting,” the proposed language states.
The selectmen would later recommend which capital projects should move forward in the coming fiscal year and suggest how to pay for them.
Commission Chair Margaret West-Mainor previously called the current capital-plan vote “essentially ineffective” because it does not approve funding, according to Patch’s earlier reporting. Commission members said the hearing format would reduce confusion while preserving public comment.
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The proposal also expressly bars Board of Finance members from moderating Budget Town Meetings and Budget Referendums. It allows them to serve on town advisory boards or as representatives or advisers to local, regional and state agencies.
At a Sept. 2 public hearing, the Board of Selectmen expressed support for the revisions, according to the hearing minutes. First Selectman George Temple said there were no additional questions about the changes presented. The minutes do not record residents speaking for or against the proposal.
A yes vote would adopt the proposed revisions; a no vote would reject them.
Early voting at Oxford Town Hall, 486 Oxford Road, runs Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours extend to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 27 and Oct. 29.
The town says absentee ballots are available through the Town Clerk’s Office through Nov. 2. Questions can go to the Registrar of Voters at 203-888-2543 or Town Clerk Laurie Carr at 203-828-6602.
The noise was so loud, ShawnaLee Kwashnak thought a jet engine had landed in her driveway.“I remember being woken up from a sound sleep that, in that moment, I could only describe as a tornado or freight train smashing into my house, except there was no storm,” Kwashnak said.“Then the next thought is, ‘What the heck is a jet engine doing in my driveway?’ It was that loud. It vibrated the house,” she said.The sound started after midnight on July 12. It woke up residents in Oxford, Middl...
The noise was so loud, ShawnaLee Kwashnak thought a jet engine had landed in her driveway.
“I remember being woken up from a sound sleep that, in that moment, I could only describe as a tornado or freight train smashing into my house, except there was no storm,” Kwashnak said.
“Then the next thought is, ‘What the heck is a jet engine doing in my driveway?’ It was that loud. It vibrated the house,” she said.
The sound started after midnight on July 12. It woke up residents in Oxford, Middlebury and Naugatuck and lasted for approximately 45 minutes.
“By the time it stops, it’s such a relief. But then you’re lying there wondering, ‘What happened and is it going to happen again?’” she said. “Nothing you could think of made any sense.”
Kwashnak lives in Middlebury, about two miles away from a compressor station in Oxford. The facility increases the pressure of natural gas, helping it move long distances along the – a 1,131-mile system that transports natural gas through New England, New York and New Jersey.
On the night of July 12, the Oxford compressor station had two equipment failures, according to collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The data shows malfunctions caused the release of more than 35 million cubic feet of natural gas in less than an hour. That’s roughly the same amount of natural gas used by 450 Connecticut homes in an entire year, according to from the .
“That’s a huge amount of a gas that we ought not to be breathing in,” said Kirsten Ek, a hospitalist physician with Connecticut Health Professionals for Climate Action.
The incident is the largest release of natural gas in Connecticut reported to the federal government in the last 10 years and in the top 10 percent of all nationwide releases reported in the last decade.
Residents near the Oxford plant are raising concerns about a lack of communication after the incident.
The Oxford release happened as another compressor station in Connecticut, located in Brookfield and operated by Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company, as local residents fight a proposal to expand that facility.
Both equipment failures involved the Oxford station’s emergency shutdown system, according to the federal government’s incident data. The system is designed to respond to abnormalities like unintentional pressure drops or natural gas leaks.
The first malfunction was a loose connection on a newly installed emergency pull switch that triggered the station to go into emergency shutdown mode at approximately 12:47am.
When an emergency shutdown system works properly, it automatically stops the compressor units, isolates the station away from the pipeline, and vents the remaining natural gas through the station’s discharge pipes.
But a valve meant to seal the station off from the pipeline failed to close completely, causing natural gas to flow from the pipeline, through the station’s discharge pipes, and out into the atmosphere for approximately 53 minutes.
The loud jet engine-like sound that woke up residents was likely caused by the rapid release of natural gas moving from high to low pressure as it left the pipeline and entered the atmosphere, according to Talor Musil, field manager at the Environmental Health Project, a nonprofit organization that helps residents whose health has been impacted by oil and gas development.
The valve remained open until approximately 1:40am, when personnel were able to manually close it.
Enbridge, the company that owns the natural gas pipeline, told Connecticut Public in an email that the station “experienced an unplanned outage” and that “at no time was there a threat to public safety.”
Residents and activists say they were never told how much natural gas was released or what steps have been taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
“It should be transparent and there should actually be an apology,” Kwashnak said.
“You’re in your home, in your yard, and you’re supposed to feel safe. Something like that goes on, it changes things,” she said.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that’s mostly made up of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the earth’s atmosphere.
It’s also highly combustible.
“It is known to cause violent explosions when it’s in high concentration and catches fire,” said hospitalist physician, Kirsten Ek.
When it comes to health impacts, methane is known to displace oxygen in the body. Low or moderate concentrations of methane can cause dizziness and nausea. High concentrations can worsen headaches, cause confusion, loss of coordination, faster breathing, heart stress and eventually a loss of consciousness, according to Ek.
“The people around that release may have experienced a lot of those early symptoms, and if they were close enough into the high concentration, they may have experienced more intense headaches, nausea, confusion, things like that,” Ek said.
Methane can also cause reactions that create ground-level ozone, another greenhouse gas that causes respiratory issues.
“When you breathe it in, [it’s] toxic to the lungs. It’s like getting a sunburn inside your lungs,” Ek said.
Connecticut already has some of the highest levels of ozone pollution in the United States, with over half a million children breathing in unhealthy air, according to a .
Middlebury resident Kwashnawk said her throat was burning the day after the release, a possible symptom of being exposed to another pollutant in natural gas – volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs.
“Short-term effects that could occur include, eye, nose, throat irritation, headaches or nausea, even loss of coordination or dizziness,” said Musil at the Environmental Health Project.
“There absolutely is risk involved,” she said.
When natural gas is released from a compressor station during an emergency shutdown, it’s referred to as a ‘blowdown’ rather than a ‘leak’ or ‘spill’.
That’s because the natural gas is intentionally released as part of the emergency shutdown process.
Blowdowns are not directly regulated by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, according to an agency spokesperson, who stated that blowdowns fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
A federal agency under that department, PHMSA, is responsible for setting and enforcing standards related to the safe transportation of energy. It also collects data on unintentional gas releases that exceed 3 million cubic feet.
But the agency declined to comment for this story, referring Connecticut Public to the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA).
PURA also declined to comment, stating the issue might come before them for adjudication.
Although PURA is known for regulating utilities in Connecticut, it’s also responsible for .
It’s not immediately clear if the blowdown violated the Clean Air Act, which regulates air emissions and allows the Environmental Protection Agency to establish air quality standards.
Any deviation from the act is required to be reported to DEEP within 24 hours or 10 days.
“At this time, the operator has not submitted a Clean Air Act deviation report to DEEP in relation to this matter,” a DEEP spokesperson said.
Environmental activists from the the Sierra Club’s Connecticut chapter say they’d like to see more transparency around blowdowns, including publicly available information on how much methane gas is released and notifying nearby residents.
“These events can be frightening to those who live nearby,” said Samantha Dynowski, state director of Sierra Club Connecticut, in a statement.
“They can also have dangerous impacts on those with pre-existing conditions who are especially vulnerable to poor air quality,” she said.
This story was first published Sept. 29, 2026 by Connecticut Public.
The Little River Apartments plan calls for 150 units on Oxford Road, including 45 apartments designated as affordable.Updated Mon, Sep 14, 2026 at 10:40 am ETOXFORD, CT — A proposal to build 150 apartments along Oxford Road will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday.The Little River Apartments project is proposed for 11 Oxford Road, on a 16.15-acre property near the Seymour town line. The applicant, B-Wizz LLC, is seeking three separate approvals from the commission.The f...
Updated Mon, Sep 14, 2026 at 10:40 am ET
OXFORD, CT — A proposal to build 150 apartments along Oxford Road will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday.
The Little River Apartments project is proposed for 11 Oxford Road, on a 16.15-acre property near the Seymour town line. The applicant, B-Wizz LLC, is seeking three separate approvals from the commission.
The first would add an “Oxford Road Housing Opportunity Zone” to the town’s zoning regulations. The developer is also asking the commission to place about 14.95 acres of the property in the new zone.
The third application covers the development itself. Plans call for 150 apartments, with 45 units — or 30 percent of the project — designated as affordable for 40 years.
The application was filed under Connecticut’s affordable-housing law, commonly known as 8-30g. The law limits a municipality’s ability to deny certain housing proposals when less than 10 percent of its housing stock meets state affordability requirements.
Patch previously reported that the proposal was submitted as Oxford considered a nine-month development moratorium.
The moratorium took effect Aug. 12 and temporarily blocks the town from accepting or processing several types of development applications. The Little River proposal was filed before the moratorium began, and the developer’s attorney has argued that it cannot be stopped by the temporary regulations.
The commission’s meeting agenda does not indicate that a vote will be taken Tuesday. The three applications are listed together under scheduled public hearings.
The hearing begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Oxford Town Hall, 486 Oxford Road.
OXFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - Three large trees came down on a Punkrup Road home in Oxford during Wednesday’s storm, leaving the homeowner facing a full rebuild just as a nearby business finished its own recovery from flooding two years ago.Tom Wargo said he was inside when he heard the trees fall.“I heard a bunch of crackling, looked out the window and saw three trees coming toward the house,” Wargo said.Wargo and his family got out safely before the trees landed on the structure.“All three of th...
OXFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - Three large trees came down on a Punkrup Road home in Oxford during Wednesday’s storm, leaving the homeowner facing a full rebuild just as a nearby business finished its own recovery from flooding two years ago.
Tom Wargo said he was inside when he heard the trees fall.
“I heard a bunch of crackling, looked out the window and saw three trees coming toward the house,” Wargo said.
Wargo and his family got out safely before the trees landed on the structure.
“All three of the roofs are going to have to be rebuilt. It’s going to be a long process,” Wargo said.
The storm hit a town still familiar with weather-related destruction. Two years ago, devastating floods swept through Oxford, tearing up Route 67 and damaging businesses along the Little River.
Among those businesses was the Old Sawmill Mini Golf course on Oxford Road, which only recently reopened after nearly two years of cleanup and rebuilding.
“It took our old mini-golf shack, brought it down the river and tore up most of holes 1 through 9,” said Joslynn Turcott, whose family owns the course.
Turcott said the community response to the reopening has been positive.
“It’s been great, such a warm welcome from the community,” Turcott said.
The course stayed dry Wednesday, but Turcott said rain in the forecast still brings anxiety.
“As you can see, it’s raging water. It does get close to the top of the bridge. Let’s hope it never goes over the bridge again,” Turcott said.
In nearby Seymour, the Naugatuck River rose significantly during the storm. A resident who went to check on the river described the change.
“We were down here the other day. You could see the steps, but right now, you can’t. They’re covered by a lot of rainfall,” said Becca, a Seymour resident.
Back in Oxford, Wargo said he is focused on moving forward.
“My wife has told me that for years: anger doesn’t get you anywhere, so I try to smile and get on as best as we can,” Wargo said.
Wargo said his family has a place to stay while repairs are made. The Old Sawmill Mini Golf course is expected to reopen Thursday.
OXFORD, CT — Oxford residents looking for fireworks and Fourth of July events in 2026 have several options nearby, especially in Fairfield County communities holding beach shows, town celebrations and family-friendly holiday events.Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, making July 3-5 a long holiday weekend. Patch has compiled a guide to fireworks, parades and July 4 celebrations around Oxford, with this roundup focused on Fairfield County events.Some celebrations are scheduled before or after July 4, giving res...
OXFORD, CT — Oxford residents looking for fireworks and Fourth of July events in 2026 have several options nearby, especially in Fairfield County communities holding beach shows, town celebrations and family-friendly holiday events.
Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, making July 3-5 a long holiday weekend. Patch has compiled a guide to fireworks, parades and July 4 celebrations around Oxford, with this roundup focused on Fairfield County events.
Some celebrations are scheduled before or after July 4, giving residents multiple chances to catch a fireworks show during America’s 250th anniversary year.
July 4 Events Around Oxford In Fairfield County
June 26
Darien town fireworks details
July 18
Redding’s Rock ’N Roots Music Festival fireworks details
The 2026 Independence Day season is part of a nationwide commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the country’s 250th anniversary.
America’s Block Party is one of the national initiatives tied to America 250, the congressionally chartered nonprofit overseeing the semiquincentennial celebration.
A Times Square Ball Drop is planned as part of the “Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show,” with a rolling series of ball drops timed to midnight on July 3 in every U.S. time zone.
A time capsule will be buried in Philadelphia and opened in 2276. Organizers said it will include contributions connected to the federal government, states, Washington D.C. and U.S. territories.
Other national events include the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, the July 4 Salute to America Fireworks, “Sail 4th 250” in New York Harbor and Rushmore 250.
Are you planning an event this summer? so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!
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