Home Care In Seymour, CT

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, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, some 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 in the comforts or their home rather than in an assisted living community. Home care in Seymour, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

Home Care Services

Home Care in Seymour, CT
The Always Best Care Difference
Types of In-home Care in Seymour, CT
Benefits of Home Care in Seymour, CT
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
Affordable Care Plans
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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DIFFERENCE

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. We are proud to have helped tens of thousands of seniors to maintain a higher level of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of 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.

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 care services in Seymour, CT. Always Best Care is here to help.

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Elderly Care for Varner M.

“Thank you so much for your kind , personalized service. My mother was always resistant”

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In-home Care for Fiona S.

“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”

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Personal Senior Care for Petra D.

“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend.”

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Home Care Services for Jaymie B.

“Always Best Care Services is a good place to get good care. The employees would”

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Senior Care Services for Susan A.

“My mother was in need of help after she broke her hip at 101 years”

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Non-medical Home Care for Hunter L.

“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”

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Home Care for Fiona H.

“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”

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Varner M.

Fiona S.

Petra D.

Jaymie B.

Susan A.

Hunter L.

Fiona H.

How does In-home Senior Care in Seymour, 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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Types of In-home Care in Seymour, CT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal 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 or Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence

Bathing
Dressing
Grooming

Home Helper Services

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:

Medication Reminders
Meal Preparation
Pet Care
Prescription Refills

Morning Wake-Up
Walking
Reading

Companionship Services

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 activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

Grocery Shopping
Transportation to Appointments
Nutritional Assistance
Conversation

Planning Outings
Completing Errands
Transportation to Community
Events and Social Outings

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Respite Care Services

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 other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout.

When it comes to non-medical home care, 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.

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Benefits of Home Care in Seymour, CT

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.

Age in Place

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.

Peace of Mind

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 senior family member is in expert hands.

Socialization

Unlike many senior care facilities 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.

Personalized Care Plan

No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our care plans are 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 clients 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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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

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 Seymour, 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

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

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

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 Seymour, 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

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

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

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

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.

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 Seymour,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.

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

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

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

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.

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Seasonal restaurant Dock 34 opens in Seymour from owners of 67 Family Diner

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateDock 34, a seasonal waterfront restaurant, opened on the Housatonic River in Seymour."We're just getting the restaurant kicking, and now the bar is officially going too, so we had our first official week," said Justin Abe, who co-owns the restaurant with his family.The restaurant serves burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and seafood, as well as appetizers like fried pickles, mozz...

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Dock 34, a seasonal waterfront restaurant, opened on the Housatonic River in Seymour.

"We're just getting the restaurant kicking, and now the bar is officially going too, so we had our first official week," said Justin Abe, who co-owns the restaurant with his family.

The restaurant serves burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and seafood, as well as appetizers like fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, crab cakes and there's a kid menu.

"Our most popular and famous menu item is the lobster roll," Abe said. "We use fresh lobster and that is served with fries, melted butter and coleslaw. Other than that, I would have to recommend the wings."

All of Dock 34's seating is outdoors, so it joined the ranks of seasonal summer restaurants in Connecticut when it opened in June.

"We'll be open until as late as we can, until the weather gets too cold to even go outside," Abe said. "We have a bunch of heaters, a pavilion, so we're ready to take that on."

He said that they also just got a boat ramp, so people can take their boats to the restaurant.

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Abe and his family also own 67 Family Diner at 13 Klarides Family Dr., in Seymour, but Abe was really drawn to the idea of having a spot on the water. Previously, Riverview Waterfront Cookout had operated out of the 177 Roosevelt Dr. space.

"We really liked the land, we liked how it was on the water, so we thought it was a good idea to buy out the property," Abe said. "I'm from Milford, so we've got Dockside (Brewery) and Joey C's over there, on-the-water spots with the bar and everything. So, we wanted to do our little twist on that."

In addition to the food and bar, Abe said there will be entertainment at Dock 34.

"Thursday night is our karaoke night starting at 7 p.m., and then Friday and Saturday we have a DJ," he said. "We should have entertainment for Sunday afternoon, and it will probably be live music."

Seymour 2023 football preview: Mike Rossetti, TJ Lester and Talan Brunsie to lead offense

Master list: CT high school football season previews 2023SEYMOUR[Vitals][They're Here][Reason to Cheer]Register All-State honorable mention selection Mike Rossetti and his 20 touchdown catches are back.[Reason to Fear]Register All-State honorable mention selection, Caden Drezek and his 33 touchdown passes are...

Master list: CT high school football season previews 2023

SEYMOUR

[Vitals]

[They're Here]

[Reason to Cheer]

[Reason to Fear]

[The Bottom Line]

Quarterback Caden Drezek led the Wildcats to the state playoffs the past two seasons. He is now playing football at the University of Maine.

That's about the biggest concern for Seymour heading into the 2023 season in which just about everyone returns. "We have a lot of experience so expectations are high," coach Mike Kearns. "We lost a standout QB in Caden Drezek, but we have all the right pieces in play right now."

Junior Noah Prodan, an understudy who doubled as a starting linebacker and started three games at running back during a productive sophomore season, now assumes the controls behind center.

He'll have plenty of help, with Mike Rossetti (49 catches, 1,252 yards and 20 touchdowns), TJ Lester and Talan Bunsie at his disposal to both run the ball and catch passes in Seymour's mutliple offense. Three starters -- Trevor Burns, Caden Miller and junior Dylan Page -- return to shore up the offensive line.

While there will be a learning curve on the offensive side, the defense is on the opposite end of the spectrum. They Wildcats bring back nine, full-time starters and four players who started games on the defensive line, Sammy Marquez, Ardi Deljanin, Dylan Page and Alex Ramos.

Burns and Prodan, who both led the team with 79 tackles apiece, and Dylon Ospina all return at linebacker. The secondary will be led by Lester and Bunsie.

Though experienced, the defense must improve against some of the NVL's best squads if Seymour is going to make a move up the league standings. Of the 187 points Seymour allowed, 143 of came in its four losses Holy Cross, Naugatuck, Ansonia and Woodland, all 2022 CIAC playoff teams and NVL Copper Division rivals.

[2023 Schedule]

** Division game* Conference game

Seymour road project could clear way for 200-acre, Quarry Walk-like development

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateSEYMOUR — A plan to develop more than 200 acres got closer to realty with the recent announcement of $3 million in federal community project funding.But U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said the money to build an access road connecting two Valley towns is about so much more than pavement. It's about access to a better life."Every day there's an article in the paper about the housing crisis affecting families," DeLauro, who represents the 3rd Dis...

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SEYMOUR — A plan to develop more than 200 acres got closer to realty with the recent announcement of $3 million in federal community project funding.

But U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said the money to build an access road connecting two Valley towns is about so much more than pavement. It's about access to a better life.

"Every day there's an article in the paper about the housing crisis affecting families," DeLauro, who represents the 3rd District, said at a press conference inside Seymour Town Hall Tuesday.

The planned two-mile road connecting Route 67 in Seymour and Route 42 in Beacon Falls, DeLauro said, would open up access to a future development similar to the nearby Quarry Walk in Oxford, which was built on the site of the former Haynes Stone Quarry, and includes a mix of retail, light industrial and residential use.

Tom Haynes, whose company Haynes Construction built Quarry Walk, called the planned 220-acre development on the Seymour, Beacon Falls line a blank canvas where the company could apply the lessons learned at Quarry Walk.

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"That project was 30 acres," Haynes said. Construction involved creating a separate company with 300 employees, he said. Since completion, the site now includes retail, restaurants, housing, offices and a 30,000-square-foot medical building.

"That project now has over 2,000 jobs, the majority of which didn't exist before," he said.

The 220-acre site would also have the additional advantages of a location along the Naugatuck River with access to the Waterbury rail line.

Construction along the rail line makes economic sense, said Rick Dunne, executive director of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments.

"The least expensive, most efficient way to move people is by rail," he said. "We need to build affordability around transportation."

Haynes said he envisioned a mix of market-rate housing and other more affordable options, dubbed "workforce" housing.

"We intend to have a lot of housing that anyone would want to live in, and mixed in with an entire community," he said.

In addition to affordable housing, David Morgan, CEO of Valley-based TEAM Inc., said transportation options, such as a rail line, within walking distance would be an added boost by reducing commuting cost. Workers could either live near their workplace or use the train to commute.

The bottom line though, is an increase in housing options, he said.

"All roads lead to housing," he said. "We need to address housing if we're truly going to have an economic boom."

Seymour residents claim quarry blasting is causing damage to homes: Exclusive

SEYMOUR, Connecticut — It’s a story you’ll only see on FOX61. A small-town controversy that’s quite literally set in stone. Residents in Seymour say a resurgence of controlled explosions at a nearby rock quarry is damaging their properties.At the center of it, all is the Haynes Group quarry in Seymour. It’s one of five quarries Haynes owns across the state. They’ve been family owned and operated for 50 years...

At the center of it, all is the Haynes Group quarry in Seymour. It’s one of five quarries Haynes owns across the state. They’ve been family owned and operated for 50 years and they source and sell aggregate rock. But it’s how they get it out of the ground that’s causing concern for some.

Residents in Seymour call this the summer of blasting. They told FOX61 there have been about half a dozen blasts at the quarry over the past several months.

“When these blasts hit they shake the house. It feels like an earthquake,” remarked Seymour resident Lisa Sodaro.

Seymour resident's home damage

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FOX61

Even living on the opposite side of the rock ledge, Sodaro claims detonations by the Haynes Group at their nearby quarry are impacting quality of life and she worries they are damaging the structural integrity of her home.

“I don’t think the blasting should be done here. I think it should be done away from people. Off the mountain. I’m concerned because I have a well and I have a septic tank.”

Lisa posted her concerns on the Seymour community social page. The topic garnered 146 replies, including residents who sent FOX61 pictures and videos showing cracks in their ceilings, walls, floors and foundations.

Tim Willis is the town fire marshall. He showed FOX61 the seismograph monitoring that is conducted. It measures the intensity of the blasts through both the air and the ground and the readings are strictly monitored by the town.

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“They have been well, well below the 50 percentile. They’ve been approximately 20-30% of what they are allowed,” said Willis. “Can you have damage under that, I’m sure you can. I’m not a structural engineer. That’s not my forte but I am the one who monitors the results."

FOX61 took resident concerns to the Haynes Group. They responded, saying they follow all regulations and that blasting is done, “...safely for customers, employees, and the community. We investigate and follow up on any questions or issues that are reported to us.”

Credit: FOX61

In addition to owning quarries, Hayes also owns several real estate developments and they are a pretty big tax contributor to Seymour. Residents tell FOX61 that makes them worry that town officials are only looking out for dollar signs and not for the well-being of residents.

Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Officials announce money to remove Kinneytown Dam in Seymour

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateSEYMOUR — The Naugatuck River is about to become friendlier to fish thanks to the recent announcement that $15 million in federal funding is soon expected and will be used to to dismantle the Kinneytown Dam.The announcement comes months after various federal, local and state officials hosted a press conference criticizing fe...

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SEYMOUR — The Naugatuck River is about to become friendlier to fish thanks to the recent announcement that $15 million in federal funding is soon expected and will be used to to dismantle the Kinneytown Dam.

The announcement comes months after various federal, local and state officials hosted a press conference criticizing federal inaction on the long disused site. The removal of the dam is expected to help restore the fish populations and boost the economies of several Naugatuck Valley river municipalities, including Ansonia and Seymour.

Once the dam is removed, it will free up 29 miles of the river to eels and fish, including the blueback herring, alewife and American shad. The fish count had plummeted in recent years with the average annual fish count at 159 fish since 2013, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal's office.

Not only would removing the dam help the water flow easier, it could also lead to more money for the neighboring communities. According to Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, the removal of the dam would lead to more tourists visiting more business.

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Drugonis said there are a lot of fly fishermen and opening up the waters and boosting the fish populations there will in turn mean more of those people stopping in Ansonia and Seymour to eat or visit those businesses.

"It's going to help build the economy, in both towns and along the river," Drugonis said.

Ansonia Economic Development Director Sheila O'Malley praised the announcement, saying the dam's removal would lead to more fishing spots in the city.

"There's going to be even better spots now once that Kinneytown Dam is straightened out," O'Malley said.

The dam's removal was praised by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro for its predicted environmental impact.

"The removal of the dam will not only restore natural fish migration, but also reduce flood risks to communities both up and downstream of the project as well as improve recreational boating and fishing along the Naugatuck River," DeLauro said.

The dam has been criticized for decades for harming wild life. First built in 1844 as the region began to industrialize, the dam was part of the Ansonia power plant until it was shut down in 2013. Drugonis said the area has since become blighted, the nearby area filled with trash and debris.

Save the Sound said the project was a long time coming. The environmental advocacy organization stated the dam harmed aquatic wildlife. The Director of Ecological Restoration, Laura Wildman said her organization, which joined the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments in a lawsuit against the Kinneytown Hydro Company and Hydroland Omega in 2021, had been involved from the start.

"This is exciting for me because my involvement in this river started over two decades ago, when I was a project engineer focused on removing five upstream dams," Wildman said. "Being able to finally address the first barrier on the system with Save the Sound feels very fitting and fulfilling."

Other environmental advocates also praised the announcement, adding it's part of a larger effort to remove dams along the Naugatuck River and with it gone, fish will now be able to swim the length of the river to Thomaston.

The dam has been almost a complete barrier to the thousands of migratory fish from Long Island Sound attempting to reach miles of spawning and rearing habitat in the Naugatuck River for years, advocates said. The Naugatuck River Revival Group and Save the Sound found that hundreds of migratory fish were gathering and dying below the dam for the past few years, unable to access habitat upstream.

“The removal of Kinneytown is the keystone to restoring this river,” said Kevin Zak, president of NRRG. “This funding would go a long way in freeing this river from 200 years of neglect. Reaching this point is a result of extreme dedication, coordination, and hard work from many individuals and organizations both public and private, proving nothing is impossible."

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