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 Newtown Square Historical Society & Paper Mill House Museum 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 Newtown, PA 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.
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“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
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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 Helen Randle 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 Vecchia Osteria or visit Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 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 Newtown, PA, 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 Newtown, PA 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 Newtown, PA 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.
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Tickets are now on sale for the 9th annual Newtown Black & White Dinner. This year’s event is being held on Saturday, September 6. All proceeds benefit the historic Newtown Theatre.During the event, up to 1,000 black-and-white clad diners will gather on Newtown Borough’s closed-down North State Street for a one-of-a-kind alfresco picnic held in the middle of the street.The event begins at 5:30 p.m. when diners arrive to find tables draped in white linens stretching hundreds of feet do...
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Tickets are now on sale for the 9th annual Newtown Black & White Dinner. This year’s event is being held on Saturday, September 6. All proceeds benefit the historic Newtown Theatre.
During the event, up to 1,000 black-and-white clad diners will gather on Newtown Borough’s closed-down North State Street for a one-of-a-kind alfresco picnic held in the middle of the street.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. when diners arrive to find tables draped in white linens stretching hundreds of feet down the street. Guests can mingle, decorate their tables, and enjoy live music prior to dinner, which begins at 6:30 p.m.
Dinner will conclude at 8 p.m. with a communal, Instagram-worthy lighting of sparklers by the diners. Following dinner, the theatre will host a special dueling pianos concert inside the theatre (concert tickets are sold separately from the dinner ticket and there is a 260-person limit).
For this event, diners are to dress only in black and white (formal wear is absolutely not required) and bring everything they need for dinner under the stars, including food, utensils, and optional black and white décor.
This year, diners can choose to pre-order dinner prepared by Newtown’s own Ardana Food & Drink for an additional charge when they purchase tickets. Dinners will be available for pickup at the event and all are served cold.
Creativity will be rewarded with prizes for the Best Dressed Man and Woman, Best Dressed Group, Most Creative Group Outfit, Most Elegant Table, and Most Creative Table.
Tickets for the dinner are $30 per person for theatre members and $40 for non-members (price does not include pre-ordered dinners). For information and tickets, visit TheNewtownTheatre.com/blackandwhitedinner .
This year's dinner choices ($35) include:
Construction crews were recently seen working on top of the white canopy that will protect motorists from the weather.NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The days are ticking down to the most anticipated opening of the year in Newtown.Social media is buzzing as the 5,500 square foot Wawa convenience store and gas station nears completion on the heavily traveled Newtown Bypass at Lower Silver Lake Road.While the Pennsylvania-based convenience store and gas station has not officially announced an opening date, online anticipati...
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The days are ticking down to the most anticipated opening of the year in Newtown.
Social media is buzzing as the 5,500 square foot Wawa convenience store and gas station nears completion on the heavily traveled Newtown Bypass at Lower Silver Lake Road.
While the Pennsylvania-based convenience store and gas station has not officially announced an opening date, online anticipation is growing as the store and gas station continue to take shape.
When the grand opening does take place, it will be memorable, complete with a ribbon cutting, confetti, a “Hoagies for Heroes” challenge between first responders, an appearance by Wally the Goose, free coffee all day and lots more.
Construction crews were recently seen working on top of the white canopy that will protect motorists from the weather as they are filling their vehicles with gasoline. Other crews were tending to the landscaping, working to transform the now dirt-covered site with grass and plantings.
(Jeff Werner/Patch)
The solar panels can be seen on the top of the canopy under construction. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
As part of an agreement reached between the township and the developer to build the store, the Newtown Wawa incorporates solar panels into its canopy to capture the energy of the sun and help power the store.
The solar panels were requested by Newtown Township Supervisor Elen Snyder who changed her vote on the project after the developer, Provco Pinegood LLC, agreed to the condition.
The solar-powered store is expected to be among the first, if not the first, in the convenience store chain to utilize solar power in its operation.
For years, the convenience store chain has had its eye on the Newtown area, the only larger community in Bucks County not served by the Southeastern Pennsylvania-based chain. The closest stores to Newtown are in Yardley Borough and Richboro.
The family-owned business based in Delaware County is known for its hoagies, freshly- brewed coffee, the “Sizzli” − a hot breakfast sandwich and favorite among morning commuters - dinner items including burgers, fries and pizza along with soups, sides and snacks, and a full line of hot, iced and frozen specialty beverages. Wawa also carries more than 6,000 items including groceries, tobacco and candy.
George Wood founded the Wawa Dairy in 1902 in Delaware County, to bottle fresh milk products from certified Guernsey cows. The Wawa Dairy produced and delivered certified Wawa milk to the doorsteps of homes throughout the Philadelphia region. Its milk and cream products were of the highest quality and received the highest accolades from physicians and consumers.
The first Wawa Food Market opened on April 16, 1964, in Folsom. By 1969, the first stores in New Jersey and Delaware opened, and Wawa Kitchens were offering foods like hamburgers and fried chicken.
In the decades since, the company has grown to become a gas station chain as well as convenience store chain. It now has more than 1,000 locations spread across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Washington, D.C.
Four homes in a stretch of townhouses on West Chelsea Circle in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, were damaged in a three-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon, according to the Newtown Square Fire Company chief.Firefighters battled the blaze in the 200 block of West Chelsea Circle in Newtown Square. The fire was placed under control around 1:30 p.m., Chief Chris Young said.Young said firefighters remained on the scene to extinguish any remaining hotspots.Chopper 3 was over the scene of the fire, showing the roof of at least two hom...
Four homes in a stretch of townhouses on West Chelsea Circle in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, were damaged in a three-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon, according to the Newtown Square Fire Company chief.
Firefighters battled the blaze in the 200 block of West Chelsea Circle in Newtown Square. The fire was placed under control around 1:30 p.m., Chief Chris Young said.
Young said firefighters remained on the scene to extinguish any remaining hotspots.
Chopper 3 was over the scene of the fire, showing the roof of at least two homes scorched by the fire. By the time Chopper 3 arrived at the scene, it appeared that most of the flames had been extinguished, but the roof and homes were heavily damaged. Firefighters were spotted both on the roof and inside the home battling the fire.
Young said no one was injured in the fire, and there have been no reports of deaths or injuries to pets at this time.
All of the units were evacuated after the fire, Young said.
Rob Saunders, who lives nearby, described, "dark smoke — black smoke coming in from underneath the roof."
Saunders said he first smelled it when he was inside his home. He said he ran to the homes to try to help, but fire crews had just arrived.
"God bless them, these guys are heroes," he said.
Young said the conditions were brutal.
"The heat is terrible," Young said.
About 12 agencies in the county responded to the fire with over 55 firefighters working the blaze. Young said there are rotating crews coming and going to fight the fire during the heat wave.
At least one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. The Newtown Square Fire Company said that two firefighters were taken to the hospital, but didn't specify the reason or their conditions. One firefighter was evaluated at the scene.
Chester County set up a rehabilitation tent with a cooling center, cold water and popsicles.
Volunteer firefighter Jack Robinson, 19, said he was thankful for the Chester County rehabilitation tent on the scene.
"Luckily, we have this rehab here to cool us down, but there's nothing we can really do about the hea t— just the nature of the beast," he said.
Firefighters are investigating the extent of the fire's spread and its origin. The cause remains unknown.
The public is invited to learn more about the bridge project during a meeting this week in Newtown Township.NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The design of a new pedestrian bridge that will link Newtown Borough and Newtown Township over the Newtown Creek will be unveiled during a special meeting on Thursday, June 26 at the Newtown Township building.During the 7 p.m. meeting, representatives from Howell Engineering will outline plans for the design of the new bridge, which will cross Newtown Creek next to the old trolley foundation...
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The design of a new pedestrian bridge that will link Newtown Borough and Newtown Township over the Newtown Creek will be unveiled during a special meeting on Thursday, June 26 at the Newtown Township building.
During the 7 p.m. meeting, representatives from Howell Engineering will outline plans for the design of the new bridge, which will cross Newtown Creek next to the old trolley foundations between Frost Lane in Newtown Borough and Sycamore Street in Newtown Township.
In April, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hire Howell to design the new span. The board also executed three easement agreements that will allow the joint project with Newtown Borough and the nonprofit Newtown Creek Coalition to move forward.
“This is a huge step for the project,” said Mike Sellers of the Newtown Creek Coalition in April. The coalition is a nonprofit that is partnering with the township and the borough on the project. “Since October we have worked with the township manager, solicitor and engineer to do the necessary work to get proposals from design engineers and very importantly to secure the easements needed in order to do the project.”
The new pedestrian bridge will be built over the Newtown Creek, bridging the two municipalities between North Sycamore Street (behind Penn Community Bank) and Frost Lane and Edgeboro Drive in Newtown Borough. The bridge will also serve as a “missing link” in the county’s extensive bicycle trail network.
Mike Sellers, of the Newtown Creek Coalition, stands next to a remnant of the stone trolley bridge that once crossed the Newtown Creek at Frost Lane. (Jeff Werner)
The project is being fully funded by a $1 million grant awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and secured by State Senator Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Perry Warren.
“The addition of a pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek will not only bridge two municipalities together, but will improve our local and regional trail connectivity,” said Senator Santarsiero.
“The Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge is near and dear to my heart,” added Rep. Warren. “This bridge will connect communities, both physically and metaphorically, as Newtown Borough residents and Newtown Township residents on 'the other side of the creek' will have safe pedestrian access to the Sycamore Street commercial and business district, and all residents will have another recreational area to enjoy. Thank you to the Newtown Creek Coalition for its vision for this project and its effort in moving it toward fruition.”
According to Sellers, the new span will be built next to the stone abutments of a former bridge that once carried trolleys over the creek in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The grant will also fund the construction of new pedestrian trails leading up to the bridge on both sides of the creek.
The trolley line was discontinued in 1923. It had once traversed Penn Street and State Street before crossing the creek at Frost Lane and continuing its journey to Doylestown.
The project is designed to provide a safe, recreational connection across Newtown Creek, fill in a missing link in the local and county trail system, and provide a safer alternative for walkers and bikers to cross the creek.
The idea of a pedestrian bridge was first broached at a meeting of the Newtown Borough Creek Coalition in the township and the creek coalition in 2010.
“We started talking about ways to get safely across the creek and began looking at the possibility of repurposing the old trolley line bridge as a pedestrian crossing," said Sellers.
Up until 2016, residents had the option of crossing the creek using a pedestrian bridge located off of North State Street. That bridge, however, located on private property, was shut down after it fell into disrepair and became a liability for the property owner.
If successful, the federal grant would fund a new HVAC system and repair water infiltration issues at the aging administration building.Jeff Werner, Patch StaffNEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Council is partnering with the Council Rock School District in an effort to secure a federal grant to fund repairs at the aging Chancellor Center.The borough council voted unanimously in May to participate with t...
Jeff Werner, Patch Staff
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Council is partnering with the Council Rock School District in an effort to secure a federal grant to fund repairs at the aging Chancellor Center.
The borough council voted unanimously in May to participate with the district in a federal grant application through the offices of U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
According to district officials, the grant holds the possibility of securing millions for repairs to the landmark building, which holds a special place in the hearts of many in the borough and the school district.
The building had once served as the community’s high school and elementary school. Today it houses the district’s administrative offices and provides meeting space for the borough.
The funding would be available through the federal government’s Housing and Urban Development grant program and would be released in May or June 2026 if the grant is awarded.
The grant application, which is being submitted by Newtown Borough, will be requesting $7 million, including $3.5 million for a new HVAC system and $3.5 million to address water infiltration issues at the aging building.
The borough will find out in October whether the grant application is successful. In the meantime, the district will begin preliminary work on an RFP (Request For Proposals) so the projects will be ready to go if the funding is awarded.
As part of a comprehensive review of the school district’s facilities master plan, the school board’s facilities committee has been discussing how to address the aging building while balancing it with the district’s other capital needs and its “Students First” mission.
The latest estimates, outlined at the committee’s June meeting, range from a low of $8.5 million to create a “warm, safe and dry” space, to a high of $18.4 million for a major renovation of the 35,000 square foot building.
According to the consultants, the $8.4 million would cover the basics including a new HVAC system, repair of water infiltration and foundation issues, and an emergency generator but would not address any programmatic issues or parking lot repairs.
“We’d simply be coming in and addressing the needs that affect warm, safe and dry,” said consultant Doug Taylor.
At the middle range, the district is looking at a roughly $9.7 to $9.9 million project including a new HVAC system, repair of water infiltration and foundation issues, an emergency generator, medium level renovations, exterior painting, and parking lot maintenance.
At the high end, the consultants are estimating the cost at $18.1 to $18.4 million for an extensive renovation of the building with new walls, ceilings and flooring, new LED lighting, parking lot maintenance and lighting in addition to addressing the water issues and the new HVAC system.
“This building will feel entirely touched when you do that,” said Taylor of the larger renovation project.
District business manager Tony Rapp said if the district doesn’t get the grants, it will have to decide what direction to go regarding Chancellor.
“We will still be in a position where we have a building that is very important to the community that has problems that need to be addressed in the long term.”
“And we need an administration building that’s at least warm, safe and dry for our staff,” added board president Ed Tate.
In addition to weighing the cost of renovations, the committee continues to investigate other options, including purchasing or leasing a new building for its administrative offices or relocating to other district-owned space.
One possibility includes renovating the former Richboro Middle School into an administrative center, which is estimated at $22 million.
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