abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home Care In Stratford, CT

Home Care Stratford, 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, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Mac Harbor historical marker. 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 Stratford, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Stratford, CT

location Service Areas

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 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.

×
TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Peg L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Varner M.
×
TESTIMONIALS

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

Fiona S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Petra D.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Jaymie B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Susan A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Hunter L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Fiona H.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Stratford, CT?

lm-check

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.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

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.

lm-check

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.

 Senior Care Stratford, CT

Types of Elderly Care in Stratford, CT

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

Personal Care

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.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Stratford, CT
Home Helper

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
 Caregivers Stratford, CT
Companionship Services

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 local activities, such as visiting Wooster Park with friends 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
Home Care Stratford, CT
Respite Care

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 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 Biagio's Osteria or visit Stratford Point Lighthouse, 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.

 In-Home Care Stratford, CT

Benefits of Home Care in Stratford, 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:

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.

Request More Information vector

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 - 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.

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

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 Stratford, 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.

 Elderly Care Stratford, CT

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
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.
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.
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.
 Senior Care Stratford, CT

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 Stratford, 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Stratford, CT

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Stratford, CT

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:

  • Spring Village Stratford
  • Lord Chamberlain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
  • Emerest Home Care of Connecticut - Adult Family Living (AFL)
  • Visiting Angels
  • Executive Home Care of Stratford
  • Connecticut In-Home Assistance
Home Care Stratford, CT

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.

 In-Home Care Stratford, CT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

lm-right-arrow
01

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

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 Stratford, 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.

 Elderly Care Stratford, CT

Latest News in Stratford, CT

Stratford developments could add 500 housing units, multi-story apartment buildings in 2024

STRATFORD — The town could be in for a bit of revitalization over the next several years, with the planned construction of dozens of new housing units, including renovations that will transform old buildings into apartments.Local land use boards this year approved four small-scale residential projects that will add a total of 66 units across town. Meanwhile, zoning officials are set to consider several larger proposals that could lead to more than 500 additional units. Here are some of the developments to keep an eye on in 2024 ...

STRATFORD — The town could be in for a bit of revitalization over the next several years, with the planned construction of dozens of new housing units, including renovations that will transform old buildings into apartments.

Local land use boards this year approved four small-scale residential projects that will add a total of 66 units across town. Meanwhile, zoning officials are set to consider several larger proposals that could lead to more than 500 additional units. Here are some of the developments to keep an eye on in 2024 and beyond.

One of the largest proposals involves the old Dictaphone Corporation property off Broadbridge Avenue. The owners of the vacant office park want to transform the site into a 234-unit housing complex by converting an existing building and constructing a pair of new ones.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

More News

Bridgeport man pleads guilty to firearm offense, feds say

Officials: Bridgeport man arrested, charged with robbery

Bridgeport suspect in Olive Street fatal shooting held on $2M bond

Bridgeport man sentenced to 35 years for killing former girlfriend

Sound On Sound is a go in Bridgeport in September

“The redevelopment plan is the adaptive reuse of the property into three buildings, all of which will be residential,” Barry Knott, an attorney representing the developers, wrote in an application submitted last summer.

The project is a part of a larger push by developers to convert unused office space into more profitable residential rentals, a trend that has accelerated in recent years amid a nationwide housing shortage and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered many larger offices.

The long-planned redevelopment of the old Center School property near the heart of Stratford is also set to see significant movement next year. The town council voted late last year to sell the property for $1.69 million to Romano Brothers Builders, which plans to construct a 154-unit housing complex.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

The development, which was one of two proposals that were considered by the council, calls for a four-story apartment building with 134 units plus 20 two-bedroom townhouses facing Sutton Avenue.

“We’re very excited and we’re looking forward to doing this,” Mark Romano, the developer behind the project, told Hearst Connecticut Media following the council’s decision.

Town officials have long eyed the Center School site for redevelopment. The 3.6-acre property sits just a few hundred feet from the town’s Metro-North train station, making it an attractive location for developers.

The school, which opened in 1970, was decommissioned in 2005 and demolished in 2018 with the help of a $1.2 million state grant. Local officials began soliciting proposals to build on the vacant town-owned site about four years ago.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Though the council has voted in support of the proposal, the project still needs to be approved by the zoning commission before construction can officially begin, according to Stratford Planning and Zoning Administrator Jay Habansky.

The future of at least one proposed residential complex could depend on the outcome of an ongoing court case. The developer behind a 129-unit apartment building proposed for Hawley Lane has asked a judge to reverse a decision by a land use board to reject the project.

The inland wetlands commission, which is charged with determining whether construction projects follow local environmental regulations, rejected the proposal after staff members determined the construction plan did not include enough protections for local wildlife and safeguards in the event of a stormwater system failure.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Mountain Development Corporation, a New Jersey-based development company responsible for the Merritt 8 Corporate Park, has since revised the plan in an effort to address the commission's concerns, according to Christopher Russo, who represents the group.

Russo noted the revised application includes changes to a pump station, a plan to restore more than an acre of wetlands, and protections for vulnerable animals, such as box turtles.

Zoning officials are also set to take another look at a project that should be familiar to some of them. The developer behind an already-approved apartment building planned for Lordship Boulevard is seeking permission to expand the project to a total of 127 units.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

The expansion was proposed a little more than a year after zoning officials approved a similarly designed, but smaller structure on the same site. At the time, the developer was authorized to construct a 100-unit, five-story residential building in what has traditionally been an industrial area off Interstate 95.

Chris Russo, an attorney representing the developer, has told zoning officials that the project may not be economically viable unless his client is allowed to increase the number of rental units and add an additional floor to the building.

“Unfortunately, since the beginning of the project, the economy has changed,” Russo said last summer. “Obviously inflation and interest rates have impacted everybody. It has also impacted development.”

Approved projects

Residents interested in living in the old Masonic Temple on Main Street will soon be in luck. The owners are now working to convert the historic structure, which sits near the Stratford Train Station, into an apartment building.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

The plans call for the developers to gut and renovate the interior of the 102-year-old building and construct a three-story expansion that will double the size of the former temple. Barry Knott, an attorney representing the property’s owners, has said the apartments will be made up of one-and-two-bedroom units that will be rented to tenants at market rate.

The Masonic Temple is not the only old building that will soon become housing. The owner of a 56-year-old church in the town’s North End has been approved to transform the building into a handful of condominiums as part of a slightly larger development.

Site plans show the developers plan to convert the 2,100 square-foot church into multiple residential units, potentially up to six one-bedroom units. They also plan to build nine new detached condominiums directly to the east and south of the church.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

The developers originally aimed to build a 64-unit apartment building on the site, but later scaled back the proposal as part of an agreement with town officials.

A dozen new apartment units will soon be available on Paradise Green. Zoning officials this fall approved plans to construct a two-story building next to a shopping plaza at the corner of Main Street and Paradise Green Place.

Site plans show the proposed 7,744-square-foot structure will replace an existing 83-year-old office building that the Stratford-based developers described as “past its usable life” due to its deteriorating foundation.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

“The replacement will mirror the residential building on Paradise Green side of the project, bookending the strip shopping center,” the developers wrote in an application submitted to the town earlier this year.

A unique project is set to change the appearance of a Barnum Avenue building that has historically been home to restaurants. The owner has been given the green light to build a new floor with a half-dozen apartments on top of the existing single-story structure.

The addition will sit directly above the Mangoz Bar & Lounge, a sports bar that is also known for serving seafood dishes. It will feature six one-and-two-bedroom apartments, according to site plans.

Proposed Stratford Budget Represents Increase, Keeps Taxes Flat: Mayor

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick has proposed a budget for fiscal year 2025 that she said represents a 2.21 percent increase over the current year, but won’t increase taxes or the mill rate.Hoydick presented an operating budget of $260 million to the Town Council on Monday night. While the proposal increases the current budget, Hoydick said through the use of “other revenue sources,” it will not increase taxes nor the 40.20 mill rate and the vehicle mill rate of 32.46 (which is capped by state s...

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick has proposed a budget for fiscal year 2025 that she said represents a 2.21 percent increase over the current year, but won’t increase taxes or the mill rate.

Hoydick presented an operating budget of $260 million to the Town Council on Monday night. While the proposal increases the current budget, Hoydick said through the use of “other revenue sources,” it will not increase taxes nor the 40.20 mill rate and the vehicle mill rate of 32.46 (which is capped by state statute at this rate).

“When I took office in late 2017, there was an incredible need for tax relief for our residents,” said in her proposal to the council. “This obligation to our taxpayers continues, year after year, and my administration was able to reduce taxes for the first five years, and keep the increase last year to a minimum while addressing the Town’s financial obligations due to the economic climate we felt and continue to feel today.

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

Hoydick said her proposed allocation for schools doesn’t include Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed additional Education Cost Sharing grant ($3.06 million) that will pass through the town and be sent to the school district.

Hoydick highlighted that the budget addresses the “district’s financial obligation to fill the void of ESSER grant funding (used by the previous administration to fund $2,500,000 of regular staff positions) and that she is confident it will provide the necessary resources, infrastructure, and support to those who work tirelessly to improve the academic achievement and social emotional well-being of our students,” according to a news release.

“This proposed budget is a commitment by the Town to moving our students, our schools, and our community forward,” Hoydick said. “It has been refreshing to collaboratively work with the school administration on the condition and improvement of Stratford Public Schools. When serving as a member of the Board of Education, we worked to have a library media specialist and building based specialists in each school. I do not want to eliminate these positions and would rather work out the budgeting and funding details to allow them to remain employed by the Stratford Public Schools. We will continue to work through May as we fine tune the request for funding for our school district. I look forward to continuing to work with the school administration, Board of Education, and the Town Council to provide the necessary funding to all town departments, and I am confident that this proposed budget represents a fiscally sound path for Stratford.”

The Town Council moved both ordinances -- the ordinance to adopt the annual operating budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, as well as the ordinance levying the tax rate – to be referred to the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing. Budget workshops are set to begin within the coming weeks.

Read the full proposed budget here.

Starbucks plans new Stratford location at Knotts Landing

STRATFORD — After years of delays, the new owners of Knotts Landing have revived plans to open a Starbucks at the shopping center.Regency Centers Corporation, which purchased the property earlier this year, is seeking the town’s approval to construct the 2,400-square-foot coffee shop next to the Chipotle on East Main Street, according to town documents.Th...

STRATFORD — After years of delays, the new owners of Knotts Landing have revived plans to open a Starbucks at the shopping center.

Regency Centers Corporation, which purchased the property earlier this year, is seeking the town’s approval to construct the 2,400-square-foot coffee shop next to the Chipotle on East Main Street, according to town documents.

The original developers behind the $10 million shopping center initially planned to include a Starbucks in the 1-acre development next to Interstate 95, which also features a five-story self-storage facility and retail space.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

But when the project was approved by local land use officials about five years ago, the developers were not able to begin construction on the Starbucks because the site was occupied by a billboard that contained cell tower equipment.

Barry Knott, an attorney representing Regency, said it took several years to complete the process of relocating the billboard to a different part of the property since the move had to be approved by local officials and state regulators.

More News

Bridgeport man pleads guilty to firearm offense, feds say

Officials: Bridgeport man arrested, charged with robbery

Bridgeport suspect in Olive Street fatal shooting held on $2M bond

Bridgeport man sentenced to 35 years for killing former girlfriend

Sound On Sound is a go in Bridgeport in September

“In order to move the mobile phone reception centers, we needed approval from the state of Connecticut Siting Council,” Knott said, referring to the state agency tasked with determining the location of public utilities, including cell towers. “And that is a hassle.”

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

In the meantime, the ownership of the shopping center changed hands. Urstadt Biddle Properties, the original developer and owner, sold the property and The Dock shopping center to Regency earlier this year as part of a larger $1.4 billion acquisition.

Knott noted that the newly submitted plans for the Starbucks include noticeable differences from the coffee shop originally envisioned for the site. For example, the updated floor plan is about 20 percent bigger than the initial design.

The location has also been enlarged to feature two drive-thru lanes, a change that will allow the store to serve up to 14 cars, as opposed to just six vehicles in a single drive-thru lane. Knott said the change was motivated by an industry-wide increase in drive-thru orders since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID changed the way fast food with drive-thru operations all over the United States operated,” he said. “Now customers prefer accessing Starbucks products through the drive-thru windows. This requires longer queuing lines.”

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Site plans show the single-story gray-colored building would feature two dozen parking spaces and a covered patio for outdoor dining. The interior would have enough space to accommodate more than a dozen customers, according to the floor plan.

The new proposal reflects Starbucks' growing footprint in Stratford. The Seattle-based chain opened its second location within the town’s borders on Main Street last summer and is now preparing to open a third store on Linden Avenue. Unlike the Starbucks on Barnum Avenue, the new locations include drive-thrus.

The East Main Street location has been unanimously endorsed by the Stratford Architectural Review Board, an advisory body tasked with ensuring new construction projects follow the town’s design guidelines. But the store still needs to be approved by the zoning commission. Knott said he intends to submit the proposal to the commission by the end of the month.

Stratford approves 12-unit affordable housing project at Paradise Green

STRATFORD — A local developer has been given the green light to construct a new 12-unit apartment building near Paradise Green.The Stratford Zoning Commission on Wednesday voted to approve plans from T & J Realty, Inc. to construct the two-story building next to a shopping plaza the company owns at the corner of Main Street and Paradise Green Place.Site plans...

STRATFORD — A local developer has been given the green light to construct a new 12-unit apartment building near Paradise Green.

The Stratford Zoning Commission on Wednesday voted to approve plans from T & J Realty, Inc. to construct the two-story building next to a shopping plaza the company owns at the corner of Main Street and Paradise Green Place.

Site plans show the proposed 7,744-square-foot structure will replace an existing 83-year-old office building that the Stratford-based company described as “past its usable life” due to its deteriorating foundation.

“The replacement will mirror the residential building on Paradise Green side of the project, bookending the strip shopping center,” the developers wrote in an application submitted to the town earlier this year.

Wednesday’s decision came about two weeks after the Planning Commission voted to recommend against approving the project. The advisory board had determined the proposal was inconsistent with the town’s master plan, but did not detail specific objections.

The new building at 3589 Main Street will include a dozen one-bedroom apartments. The site plans show the units would also each feature a single bathroom and a combined kitchen and living space.

The application describes the yet-to-be-built structure as a wood-framed building that would incorporate red brick to match the existing shopping center, which includes a Subway and a driving school, and to provide a visual buffer between the floors.

“There will be 16 parking spaces combined with the additional 30 spaces on the adjacent property,” the developers wrote.

The project is not the first time the owners have sought to redevelop the site. The company previously planned to construct apartments on the upper levels of the existing building and the adjacent shopping center, but abandoned the project due to structural concerns.

The new residential project was filed under state statute 8-30g, which allows developers to bypass local zoning laws and regulations if at least 30 percent of the proposed building’s units are set aside for affordable housing.

Municipalities can only deny 8-30g applications if officials determine the project would cause a substantial health or safety concern. Developers, meanwhile, can only take advantage of the law if less than 10 percent of a municipality’s housing units are designated by deed as affordable.

As of 2022, Stratford has 1,326 affordable units, equaling 6.2 percent of the total housing stock, according to the Connecticut Data Collaborative, a Hartford-based nonprofit that analyzes public data.

Developers propose 19 new homes off Broadbridge Avenue in Stratford

STRATFORD — A local developer is once again proposing to build a new residential subdivision off Broadbridge Avenue, nearly a year after withdrawing plans for a similar development.Teakwood Estates LLC is seeking the town’s permission to build 19 single-family homes on a vacant 11-acre plot of land, according to an application submitted to the Stratford Inland Wetlands Commission.The development represents a slightly smaller version of a 20-lot subdivision initially proposed two years ago that later sparked pushback...

STRATFORD — A local developer is once again proposing to build a new residential subdivision off Broadbridge Avenue, nearly a year after withdrawing plans for a similar development.

Teakwood Estates LLC is seeking the town’s permission to build 19 single-family homes on a vacant 11-acre plot of land, according to an application submitted to the Stratford Inland Wetlands Commission.

The development represents a slightly smaller version of a 20-lot subdivision initially proposed two years ago that later sparked pushback from some neighbors concerned about the size of the project and the impact construction would have on the environment.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

As part of the updated proposal, the developers increased the amount of land they intend to set aside as open space from 1.9 acres to 2.47 acres. The move was made to help protect wetlands located on the property, the application states.

More News

Bridgeport man pleads guilty to firearm offense, feds say

Officials: Bridgeport man arrested, charged with robbery

Bridgeport suspect in Olive Street fatal shooting held on $2M bond

Bridgeport man sentenced to 35 years for killing former girlfriend

Sound On Sound is a go in Bridgeport in September

“In addition to the proposed 2.47-acre open space lot, 0.86 acres of conservation easements will be conveyed to the town to preserve naturalized areas and to provide long-term protection to the onsite inland wetlands and watercourses,” architects wrote in the application.

If approved by local officials, the neighborhood would sit on what is now a largely wooded site wedged between Emerald Place and Second Hill Lane in the town’s north end, joining an area that is mostly made up of single-family homes.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Most of the proposed 19 lots will stretch between 10,000 to 19,000 square feet, according to the application. The developers plan to lengthen Ronald Road and Teakwood Drive to provide access to the subdivision.

“Each lot will consist of a single-family dwelling and asphalt drive extending from the proposed road extensions,” developers wrote in the application. “All of the proposed homes will be served by new sanitary sewers and water mains.”

The application includes few details about the houses planned for the subdivision, but the documents indicate the residences will each be about 1,800 square feet and feature porches, patios and decks.

According to online property records, Teakwood Estates purchased the 11-acre plot of land along Broadbridge Avenue in October 2020. The records indicate the company paid $425,000 in the transaction.

The application describes the currently undeveloped site as “nearly completely wooded with rolling contours.” Transmission power lines run through a clearing to the west of the property and houses, most of which were built in the 1950s and 1960s, sit on the eastern edge.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

In the original proposal, Teakwood Estates had planned to eliminate a portion of the site’s wetlands and create new wetlands elsewhere on the property to accommodate stormwater management features. At the time, the developers said the wetlands would be “substantially the same” after construction.

But the project drew skepticism from some neighbors worried about the potential impact on the wetlands and the wildlife that live there. Around half of the about a dozen people who spoke in opposition to the development at an inland wetlands commission late last year said they were concerned disturbing the wetlands could lead to flooding issues and other environmental problems, meeting minutes show.

The developers later withdrew the proposal to scale back the size of the subdivision. To ease concerns, they also agreed to retain a third party consultant to provide a detailed review of the new proposal. The consultants, according to the application, found the subdivision would not result in long-term adverse impacts to the wetlands and watercourses.

Due to the potential environmental impact, the proposal must first be endorsed by the inlands wetlands commission before it can move to the next steps in the approval process. The commission is expected to solicit public feedback about the proposal during a future public hearing that has not yet been set.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.