It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic East Haven Green Historic District 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 East Haven, 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.
“Always Best Care Senior Services have been wonderful to work with, they sent us Michael,”
“Five stars is not enough to recommend the service Always Best Care provides!! Our situation”
“A sincere, heartfelt "thank you" to Sky and Ruth and the team at ABC. ”
“Outstanding organization and staff! I have had the privilege to work with Cynthia Montano”
“I would like to say how wonderful Carol May is with my uncle. She”
“I just wanted to take a moment and tell you that we so much appreciate”
“I’m leaving a five star review for Nellie. She is the most caring caregiver I”
“I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone looking to set up home care for”
“Always Best Care has been wonderful to work with , very prompt and responsive. ”
“We had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care. Cynthia was an answer to our”
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot and things”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is”
“We are very happy with my sister's companion, Anne Sumner, and the services that Always”
“Tosha, There are no words accurately quantify my family’s appreciation for you. You are undoubtedly”
“I am a current client of this provider His caregiver is wonderful. She helps keep him”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped us the most by always calling”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregiver was sick or going on”
“We are 3 weeks into working with this agency for homecare for my dad. There”
“Our caregiver Anne Sumner is more than a passionate, compassionate, caring, dependable and dedicated professional.”
“I am a current client of this provider He is very difficult, but he is getting”
“Cynthia Montano is the amazing from Always Best Care. Cynthia has helped my parents and”
“I just want to thank ABC agency for allowing us our angel giver which is”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have been wonderful to work with, they sent us Michael, Michael has now been caring for my Dad for a few months now, totally reliable and such a peace of mind for the family that he's there. Dad just loves him. I don't think we could have found a better fit for Dad. Michael cares about Dad as if he was family. Thank you for making this time in Dad's life so much happier and giving his family such peace of mind. Linda Lee”
“Five stars is not enough to recommend the service Always Best Care provides!! Our situation was quite desperate when I contacted them to provide a live in care giver for my mother in law. Denise, more than understood our situation when I called. I contacted ABC earlier in the day and by evening, she was at my mother in law’s home and matched us with a wonderful care giver! Rosina immediately bonded with my mother in law!! The professionalism and compassion Rosina showed was beyond measure. She never left her side and kept us well informed as my mother in law was unfortunately and quickly approaching end of life…..Rosina even stayed with us through the process as my mother in law left her home one last time…….Much Appreciation from The Cotrona Family!!”
“A sincere, heartfelt "thank you" to Sky and Ruth and the team at ABC. Sky and Ruth were amazing, patient, kind, and caring with my father during a very difficult time at the end of his life. I know my dad appreciated it, and the entire family says a big "THANK YOU" for the tremendous care that you provided. Having your help made things so much easier on my mother and the family.”
“Outstanding organization and staff! I have had the privilege to work with Cynthia Montano and to witness the care, attention and professionalism she provides to her clients. Cynthia represents her company with pride and truly provides services to her clients with their needs above all else. Anyone in need of services for their loved one will be fortunate, pleased and grateful to work with Cynthia Montano and Always Best Care.”
“I would like to say how wonderful Carol May is with my uncle. She is very caring and understanding with my 94 year old single uncle. Not an easy job , but she is able to help him in so many ways. Carol is very reliable, trust worthy, and compassionate. We are lucky to have her! I would also like to give Tia in the office a huge compliment! She is really on her game if an issue comes up she is on top of things. It is hard to find good help, she foresee problems and handles things efficiently. Our experience has been very positive!”
“I just wanted to take a moment and tell you that we so much appreciate Yolanda. She comes to our home weekly for light cleaning and she is a breath of fresh air. Every Friday she brightens our home with her presence. Yolanda also does a wonderful job taking care Of our home. Please let her know how much we appreciate her. Brad Nelson”
“I’m leaving a five star review for Nellie. She is the most caring caregiver I have ever worked with my husband is disabled and she is so kind and treats him and both of us like family. She makes sure he eats properly cleans, and spend special time with my husband. You are very, very lucky to have such a great worker I know because I work with other agencies for my mother and you can’t find someone who cares for someone like Nellie does. She should be recognized and rewarded for her efforts. She is never late never calls and is always positive and friendly. I look forward to seeing her every day and consider her family, thank you Beth and Scott Albertson”
“I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone looking to set up home care for their loved ones. Within 1 hour of initial contact, Denise was at my home to gain an understanding of my needs. The very next day, Sharon began working with me and I couldn't be more pleased. Sharon is friendly and helpful and I will miss her now that I no longer need home care services. If you are looking for a home care agency that assures skilled aides and good communication and oversight, look no further than Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care has been wonderful to work with , very prompt and responsive. Angela , my mom's home health aid has been so patient and caring - just what we were hoping and looking for! Would highly recommend!!”
“We had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care. Cynthia was an answer to our prayers ????”
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to my brother and me in helping us transition our mother from independent to assisted living. Cynthia educated us about the various “models” of assisted living communities in an effort to ascertain the appropriate level of support required for our mom. She was sensitive to finances and lifestyle preference. Cynthia has a network of relationships among assisted living facilities, and always did hands on research before presenting us with options to tour. She is truly a professional. Cynthia has generously made herself available to brainstorm, as we begin to think about eventual next steps. Thank you, Cynthia.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot and things I can't do, they help me. I like that they are prompt and always on time.”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.”
“We are very happy with my sister's companion, Anne Sumner, and the services that Always Best Care provides!”
“Tosha, There are no words accurately quantify my family’s appreciation for you. You are undoubtedly the kindest, caring, compassionate competent care giver there is. You’ve treated my father and my whole family with a loving heart. We will forever be grateful for making this difficult time easier. We love having you a part of our family.”
“I am a current client of this provider His caregiver is wonderful. She helps keep him from being depressed and she's always asking if he took his medications. I would like to see more consistent communication.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped us the most by always calling and checking in on us. I like that they're always able to find someone for us.”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregiver was sick or going on vacation, they reached out to me. I like their caregivers they send.”
“We are 3 weeks into working with this agency for homecare for my dad. There were a few bumps in the road, but we have hit the jackpot with two of our caregivers. Melissa Pericas and Jordene have been amazing! My mother has been struggling with having strangers in her home and letting someone else take care of her husband, but these two lovely women have melded into the family and put her completely at ease. They are both very experienced and are doing and amazing job. My mom is able to put the caregiving into their capable hands and focus on being his wife and spend valuable time with him. These ladies both deserve 5 stars!! I rated the agency with 4 stars because we had some scheduling issues in the beginning and had one caregiver that was problematic, but he was removed from our schedule as soon as I reported the issue.”
“Our caregiver Anne Sumner is more than a passionate, compassionate, caring, dependable and dedicated professional. She quickly became a family member and friend.”
“I am a current client of this provider He is very difficult, but he is getting better. He is happier than he has ever been. I like that they are very responsive.”
“Cynthia Montano is the amazing from Always Best Care. Cynthia has helped my parents and us with this transition process. She has been wonderful explaining everything. If we had questions or just needed to talk about what is going on with the parents she was there to help. She goes above and beyond. She has help us tremendously. I feel blessed for having Cynthia during this time. Our family would like to say thank you for everything. We couldn't have done it without her.”
“I just want to thank ABC agency for allowing us our angel giver which is what we call her. Shay is a life saver without her I'll be running like a chicken with my head cut off. She has stepped in and saved the day numerous times between changing her schedule to work with ours, to even making sure Steve visits his wife grave. We appreciate her please don't take her from us steve would be devastated. She's amazing”
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 Farm River State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Bistro Mediterranean Tapas Bar or visit Fort Nathan Hale, 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 East Haven, 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 East Haven, 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 East Haven, 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.
NEW HAVEN, CT — A popular New Haven eatery was recently recognized as one of the best Italian restaurants in the world by a top Italian food and wine magazine and publishing group.Strega, located at 1006 Chapel Street, recently received Gambero Rosso's 2025 Top Italian Restaurant award, a prestigious honor that recognizes the New Haven restaurant "as one of the best Italian restaurants in the world," according to ...
NEW HAVEN, CT — A popular New Haven eatery was recently recognized as one of the best Italian restaurants in the world by a top Italian food and wine magazine and publishing group.
Strega, located at 1006 Chapel Street, recently received Gambero Rosso's 2025 Top Italian Restaurant award, a prestigious honor that recognizes the New Haven restaurant "as one of the best Italian restaurants in the world," according to a social media post by The Shops at Yale.
The post congratulated owner and executive chef Danilo Mongillo and noted Gambero Rosso as "Italy’s premier food and wine authority" that awards top authentic Italian restaurants with its highly selective one, two or three "forchette," or forks, rating.
Strega, which is located just a few minutes away from Yale University in downtown New Haven, received two forchettes, according to the post.
"With over a decade of experience in the industry, Mongillo is a seasoned restaurateur," the post reads. "This marks his sixth Gambero Rosso distinction for the Strega restaurant group, further cementing his reputation for excellence in Italian cuisine."
In addition to New Haven, Mongillo operates a Strega restaurant in downtown Milford.
According to the Strega website, Mongillo is an award-winning chef who brings his natural talents and skills from his native Italy to both of his Strega restaurants.
"He excels in the kitchen by drawing upon the culinary knowledge and heritage passed down through his family," the website reads. "Born near Benevento, Italy, [Mongillo] is enthusiastic about sharing authentic and delicious dishes with his guests."
The website also notes Strega's philosophy is to "immerse diners in the Italy that we cherish. Drawing from the traditions of various regions across the Italian peninsula, we strive to create a deeply authentic Italian experience. With a profound appreciation for Italy's historical and culinary heritage, we focus on using imported Italian products and are committed to authenticity in our recipes and menu selections."
Additional information about Strega New Haven, including a full menu, can be found on its website.
HAMDEN — Cheshire boys ice hockey coach Anthony Giusto wasn’t sure what to expect from his team when this season kicked off.How does another trip to the state finals sound?“Going into the year with how much offense we graduated last year, I didn’t have on my bingo card being back in the finals this year,” Giusto said.The Rams have one more hill to climb in their quest for a repe...
HAMDEN — Cheshire boys ice hockey coach Anthony Giusto wasn’t sure what to expect from his team when this season kicked off.
How does another trip to the state finals sound?
“Going into the year with how much offense we graduated last year, I didn’t have on my bingo card being back in the finals this year,” Giusto said.
The Rams have one more hill to climb in their quest for a repeat championship after shutting out Amity 2-0 in the CIAC Division II semifinals Tuesday at Quinnipiac’s M&T Bank Arena.
The top-seeded Rams (19-5) will face the No. 2 East Haven co-op (21-3-1) in the Division II final at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, at Quinnipiac.
The Yellowjackets pounded North Haven 9-1 in Wednesday’s late semifinal, scoring seven unanswered goals over the final two periods.
The Division II final will be a rematch of last year’s title game won by Cheshire 6-3, and getting back to the final was a motivating factor for East Haven.
“The goal all year has been to get back here,” said senior Lorenzo DeFilio, who ignited the Yellowjackets’ offense with the first two goals. “I remember coach (Lou Pane) saying to me last year when we were collecting our silver medals that we’ll be back on this ice in the same position, just with the gold medals around our necks.”
East Haven will be making its ninth appearance in the state finals, and won its only CIAC championship in 1998, when it played as a single school, rather than a co-op.
Cheshire will be playing in the CIAC finals for the 10th time, and has won in its last four trips to the final, all since 2006.
The Rams have revamped their lineup from last year’s championship team, but junior goalie Ryan Miller is one of the veterans and he delivered in the semis, racking up 34 saves for the shutout, with sophomores Mark Laskin and Zach Hooper netting the goals.
“We have a very new team this year,” Miller said “We lost a lot of seniors, a lot of offense. But I’m really proud of the young guys who’ve stepped up. We’ve got a whole new team, so it's going to be a lot of fun to do it again.”
The SCC has put at least one team in the Division II finals in seven straight tournaments and, with all four of the semifinalists, this will be the conference’s fifth title during that span. The last two seasons have featured an all-SCC final.
The Spartans and Rams split two earlier meetings this winter with Cheshire winning 3-1 in the regular season, and Amity winning 4-1 in the SCC Division II semis. The Spartans then went on to beat the East Haven co-op 4-2 in the conference final.
Miller, who helped Cheshire win the title last winter, was outstanding in the semifinals, with Amity holding the shots advantage in every period.
“Over the last few years, you look at any big game we’ve played, you can tell when he’s dialed in,” Giusto said. “Like today, he was tracking the puck so well. He made some huge saves, especially in the second period, when we thought they had a little better of the play.
“He played absolutely fantastic and we’re not standing here right now if not for Ryan.”
For East Haven, the offensive fireworks have been flying since the start of the state tournament. The Yellowjackets have scored 24 goals in three games and on Tuesday dominated the shots 39-18.
"We're really working on all cylinders right now," Pane said. "Offensively, everything's running really smooth for us, and we're doing a much better job attacking the net which is important. We're not trying to make every play a tic-tac-toe play. We're shooting, we're driving to the net and when we do that, we're pretty tough."
DeFilio started the engines for East Haven with a goal assisted by Preston Cantele (1 goal, 2 assists) just 2:01 after the opening drop. He scored again at 6:47, this time with an assist from Enzo Plano. DeFilio also had an assist later in the game and now has 51 goals and 20 assists for 71 points while earning CHSCA Division II MVP honors.
"He's such a leader," Pane said. "He comes to play hard every game and he's tough to wrap up. Every team has tried different things to stop him and he still gets on the score sheet every night. And again he did it here."
Ryan Miller, Cheshire: The junior goalie delivered a shutout in the semifinals, racking up 34 saves against an aggressive Amity offense.
“We didn't know where our offense was going to come from this year and we get sophomores in Mark Laskin, Dylan Paul and Zach Hooper stepping up, and they weren’t part of the team last year. Now they’re leaders.” - Cheshire coach Anthony Giusto
Lorenzo DeFilio, East Haven co-op: Plenty of players scored for the Yellowjackets, but it was DeFilio getting on the board first, and second, in the first period to give them a lead they would not relinquish. He also added an assist in the third period.
"Tomorrow we're going to rest, heal up, get better and then it's back to work. It's no different. The game's no different: 45 minutes on the ice, 15 minutes a period. We just want to get the job done this year . We know what they took from us last year, so we;re going to come out hop and hopefully cone out on top." East Haven co-op senior Lorenzo DeFilio
CIAC DIVISION II BOYS HOCKEY SEMIFINALS
AMITY 0 0 0 - 0 CHESHIRE 0 1 1 - 2 C - Mark Laskin, 6:19 C - Zachary Hooper (EN), 0:40.7 Saves: A - Asher Furman 15; C - Ryan Miller 34 Records: Amity 18-5-2; Cheshire 19-5-0
NORTH HAVEN 1 0 0 - 1 EAST HAVEN 2 3 4 - 9 EH - Lorenzo DeFelio (Preston Cantele), 12:59 EH - DeFilio (Enzo Plano), 8:13 NH - Paul Mastriano, 15:00 EH - Salvatore Plano (Braedan Steahle), 11:11 EH - Tanner Walsh (Ryan Bunnell), 9:37 EH - Shane Ruggiero (Bunnell, Steahle), 1:30 EH - Cantele, 13:43 EH - Enzo Plano (DeFilio), 8:41 EH - Raymond Weston (Cantele), 5:25 EH - Nick Perillo (Bunnell, Carter McGlinchey), 2:32 Saves: NH - Joseph Salzano 30; EH - Christopher Anderson 17 Records: North Haven 16-7-1; East Haven co-op 21-3-1
March 18, 2025|Updated March 19, 2025 11:37 a.m.
Reporter
Dave Stewart is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group who has been covering sports in Connecticut since 1996 and serves as the GameTimeCT writer for volleyball, girls hockey, wrestling and girls lacrosse. He has won multiple New England Newspaper & Press Association and Connecticut SPJ awards for writing and photography and is a member of the FCIAC Hall of Fame.
Decades of weathering, and wear and tear rendered the historic gazebo structure beyond repair so town workers are starting from scratch. Ellyn Santiago, Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Mar 21, 2025 at 4:29 pm ETEAST HAVEN, CT — Progress is well underway on the exciting new gazebo at the East Haven TownGreen. After carefully reviewing multiple bids, the Town chose to keep the project in-house — withthe Eas...
Ellyn Santiago, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Mar 21, 2025 at 4:29 pm ET
EAST HAVEN, CT — Progress is well underway on the exciting new gazebo at the East Haven TownGreen. After carefully reviewing multiple bids, the Town chose to keep the project in-house — withthe East Haven Public Works Department leading the effort, resulting in significant savings fortaxpayers.
In early May 2024, the town began removing the gazebo on the Town Green to make way for a new community pavilion.
Decades of weathering, and wear and tear rendered the historic gazebo structure beyond repair, necessitating its removal, and building from the ground up a new Town Green centerpiece in its place.
This week, the town Public Works Department got to work — cement was poured Thursday as part of the foundation. So, in addition to the archway and brick pavers, the new gazebo is part of the Town Green beautification project.
Public Works crews have already completed key foundational steps, including digging and shaping the base, assembling and welding steel rebar, and pouring the concrete footings. The concrete is now in the curing phase, a process that takes about 28 days. In the meantime, crews are continuing other preparations to keep the project moving forward. The assembly of the gazebo is expected to begin around April 20.
East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora has committed to town beautification, restoration and rebuild, something he's called "important for the community."
“The town’s Public Works Department has done the entire project so far at a very big savings fortaxpayers,” Carfora said. “Their hard work and dedication are turning this vision intoreality, and I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
The new gazebo will feature a classic New England design, adding to the charm and character of therevitalized Town Green — creating a welcoming, picturesque gathering spot for residents andvisitors alike.
When he began his first term in office, Carfora said plainly he'd inherited a "neglected town,"and in the case of the gazebo, "It was cracking. It was not maintained and, in some areas, it was unsafe." And while public works began making repairs in 2020, in the years prior, Carfora said, workers did not make repairs: "They weren’t told to." But added then that when staff began working on the structure, "Employees took a lot of pride in that work. It just should have been a job they were told to do. They weren’t."
The new gazebo is just one part of the overall Town Beautification plan. To date that's included the West End Sidewalk Improvement project, the new Town Green archway, the brick pavers that line the walks along the Green, parks and playground restoration and rebuild and more.
Funding for some projects came in part from pandemic-related American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 monies.
Now, the gazebo building work is well underway.
In the case, plaintiff John Patton accused former Mayor Joe Maturo and his administration of unlawfully shutting down his quarry: OfficialsEllyn Santiago, Patch StaffEAST HAVEN, CT — The town reached an $11 million settlement in the One Barberry v. Joseph Maturo lawsuit "bringing closure to a legal dispute that originated during the administration of former Mayor Joe Maturo," town Assistant Director o...
Ellyn Santiago, Patch Staff
EAST HAVEN, CT — The town reached an $11 million settlement in the One Barberry v. Joseph Maturo lawsuit "bringing closure to a legal dispute that originated during the administration of former Mayor Joe Maturo," town Assistant Director of Administration Ed Sabatino said.
In the case, plaintiff John Patton accused Maturo and members of his administration of unlawfully shutting down his quarry.
"In its ruling, the Court noted Maturo acted out of self-interest for his own political goals," Sabatino said.
The case, which went to trial in 2023, resulted in a federal court ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding $9.47 million in damages along with over $1 million in prejudgment interest.
The town's liability would have risen to over $12 million in the coming months, and had the case not settled, post judgment interest would have continued to accrue at approximately $38,000 per month, Sabatino said.
"The Carfora administration took office in November 2019 and inherited several challenges from the Maturo administration, with One Barberry v. Maturo being the most significant," Sabatino noted. "As a result, it was the first case the town’s legal team reviewed upon taking office. After a forensic analysis of the case, the town fortified its defense team and took immediate action against its two insurance carriers. As an administration, it was time to bring this litigation to a close."
Sabatino said that discussions with Mr. Patton's counsel began in December 2024. Two weeks ago, the parties reached an agreement in principle to resolve the case for $11 million, the town's Assistant Director of Administration said. He added that the final settlement terms were recently completed, and the necessary documents were submitted to U.S. District Court with dismissal documents slated to be filed with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
In August, after extensive negotiations with the plaintiffs, the Town deposited $13.5 million into a restricted interest-bearing account to secure the judgment. This approach was chosen as an alternative to purchasing an appeal bond and incurring its associated costs. To date, the account has accrued over $220,000 in interest.
The settlement payment was made from this account, and the remaining balance of approximately $2.7 million was returned to the town, which will "continue the actions against its two insurance companies." The town contends the insurance carriers "should have defended this case from the beginning and should bear financial responsibility for this settlement payment," he said.
"We firmly believe that insurance coverage should have been, and should still be, provided in this case, and that the legal foundation of the Court's decision supports this position," Sabatino said.
The semifinals of the CIAC boys ice hockey tournaments have arrived with 12 teams remaining alive in the championship hunt.Quinnipiac’s M&T Bank Arena in Hamden will host the semifinals and finals, beginning with the Division III semis on Monday. Division II semis will be played on Tuesday, followed by Division I on Wednesday....
The semifinals of the CIAC boys ice hockey tournaments have arrived with 12 teams remaining alive in the championship hunt.
Quinnipiac’s M&T Bank Arena in Hamden will host the semifinals and finals, beginning with the Division III semis on Monday. Division II semis will be played on Tuesday, followed by Division I on Wednesday.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE/SCOREBOARD
The championship games are scheduled for the weekend, with two games on Saturday and one on Sunday. The order of the games has yet to be determined.
Among the semifinalists are all three defending state champions: Notre Dame-West Haven (Division I), Cheshire (II) and Conard (III), as well as No. 1 seeds New Canaan (I), Cheshire and Wilton (III).
Here is a breakdown of the semifinals with key players, outlooks and predictions.
March 16, 2025
Reporter
Dave Stewart is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group who has been covering sports in Connecticut since 1996 and serves as the GameTimeCT writer for volleyball, girls hockey, wrestling and girls lacrosse. He has won multiple New England Newspaper & Press Association and Connecticut SPJ awards for writing and photography and is a member of the FCIAC Hall of Fame.
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