AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you so much for everything. Mom is not ready to take the step to accepting in-home help yet, but I can assure you that when she is, you will be our agency of choice. Knowing that you will be able to assist us when the time comes makes me feel so much better about all of this. For me, it makes a big difference to actually know someone who is in charge and I think that will make a difference with my Mom too.”

Martin L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“It is a pleasure to write this! The BEST way to describe your staff:--Pleasant—congenial. Choosing Always Best Care was one our better decisions. You have sent us the perfect people to help my wife. I am grateful for that. Best wishes for continued success.”

Alvaro C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am writing on behalf of my family to tell you how appreciative we are of Always Best Care and your services. These have not been the best of times for my family and especially hard on my Mom but we take great comfort knowing you are there to help. Our caretaker has been wonderful since my Dad was sent to River Glen in Southbury and from the very beginning of our ordeal. My Mom is extremely protective of my Dad and has always requested for Judy to help out with my Dad. To me that is the biggest proof of our confidence that has been my Mom's faith in her. Anything we have asked of her she has delivered and shown what most can't - that she really cares. Your Professional staff is a pleasure to work with - adapting schedules, applying payments quickly, and always courteous. I felt like great service should be made aware of and should set a standard that Always Best Care always seems to meet..”

Ryan P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you so much for your kind, personalized service. My mother was always resistive to someone coming into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased. 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.”

Sherece F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your service was timely and most satisfactory !, I'll definitely keep you in mind for future needs.”

Cody V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This company is courteous and very compassionate when it comes to caring for your loved ones. They are available 24/7 to help you fill all your caregiving needs and have a great pool of caregivers. The office staff is friendly, very supportive and they will go above and beyond to provide their customers the best service around. I would highly recommend them for any of your Homecare needs.”

Susan M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My experience interacting with Always Best Care far surpassed my expectations. They’re polite and courageous and always available 24/7 to answer questions and respond in an emergency situation.”

Lorrie O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am sending you some of my thoughts about Always Best Care now that I have had time to reflect. Mom’s move to Assisted Living has gone very well and I’d like you to know:--From the initial home meeting and throughout my mother’s care, everyone was extremely personable, professional and knowledgeable of the home care industry. --ABC matched caregivers to my Mother’s needs and personality and we (and my Mother) were very happy with the care received and with the communication between caregivers and family.--Although my Mother is in Memory Care now, she still remembers ‘her ladies’ that not only assisted in her care, but more importantly, offered friendship. We would be very happy to be used as a reference if needed!”

Courtnie B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have learned so much with having you and your staff care for my mother. I never would have expected her to rally so much after my father’s death. But it’s amazing what loving care can do –just amazing! Tracy and I cannot thank you enough – you have helped us see how to make our mother’s last days as pleasant and meaningful as possible–which is not only good for her but also for her whole family. I and my boys and husband, and my sister and her son and his family, we can all have time to connect with my mother that will surely enrich our lives forever—and that is such a precious gift! Thank you”

Ryan C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”

Sara M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I forgot to tell you that I miss your compassion toward your people. You positive and helpful approach toward them is admirable. I did not have such luck with the local companies in MA, lacking good organization and consideration to the clients and the care givers. It is not an easy job accomplish such a success like yours.”

Ildiko G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I just wanted to shoot you a quick email expressing 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, 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 doesn’t 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 hasn’t 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”

Marieke H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you so much for your kind, personalized service. My mother was always resistive to someone coming into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased. 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.”

Cheryl K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for all of your help over the last few weeks. Your caregivers were all terrific and I just don’t know what we would have done without you.”

LindaGo
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your service was timely and most satisfactory! I’ll definitely keep you in mind for future needs.”

Jack Z.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Shame on me for not writing sooner. The days go by so fast –and thanks to your good care I am back to doing things for myself and being busy. Did my own deck this year! And other gardening ---feels good! Have started walking 3 times a week at the track! The big 90 will be here in October ---and I am going to be ready to celebrate it! Thank you again for all your help. It’s good to know it is there when I need it.”

Marion M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My Mom’s last 15 months were made easier with the diligent and devoted care provided by Scheryl and your support to come up with replacements when she needed time off. Scheryl was caring and compassionate for both my Mom and her sister when she came to stay. They had a really nice bond. Both the ladies were ever grateful for Scheryl’s attention, conversation, cooking and friendship. Larry and I send best wish and sincere thanks!”

Linda K.
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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.”

FionaHoward
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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 doesn’t 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 hasn’t 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”

Marieke H.
×
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 Always Best Care. 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.”

Cheryl K.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I have learned so much with having you and your staff care for my mother. I never would have expected her to rally so much after my father’s death. But it’s amazing what loving care can do –just amazing! Tracy and I cannot thank you enough – you have helped us see how to make our mother’s last days as pleasant and meaningful as possible–which is not only good for her but also for her whole family. I and my boys and husband, and my sister and her son and his family, we can all have time to connect with my mother that will surely enrich our lives forever—and that is such a precious gift! Thank you”

Caring_2645646
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TESTIMONIALS

“I was so happy with the services our caregiver provided! She was very courteous, hands-on and would do anything I asked her to do. She was pleasure. I enjoyed having her work for me.”

Marjorie C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”

Ken B.
 In-Home Care Bethel, CT

How does In-home Senior Care in Bethel, CT work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

Request More Informationright-arrow-light
 Senior Care Bethel, CT

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

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

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Bethel, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Bethel, CT gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Bethel, CT

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bethel,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.

 Caregivers Bethel, 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 Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

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

02

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

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.

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.

Latest News in Bethel, CT

Nov. 10 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**Nov. 10, 2023Dear Bethel,We are experiencing a delay in the launch of our community calendar. The website designers are having technical issues with the form to submit events. We will keep you posted.It is time to prepare for winter! Please do not overlook your mailbox! The town is not responsible for a damaged mailbox caused by snow expelled from the plow as it passes by. A properly installed mailbox should withstand the force of the snow. Sh...

**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**

Nov. 10, 2023

Dear Bethel,

We are experiencing a delay in the launch of our community calendar. The website designers are having technical issues with the form to submit events. We will keep you posted.

It is time to prepare for winter! Please do not overlook your mailbox! The town is not responsible for a damaged mailbox caused by snow expelled from the plow as it passes by. A properly installed mailbox should withstand the force of the snow. Should a plow contact a mailbox directly, which is rare, please contact Public Works within 7 days of the storm. The Town will assist elderly or impaired homeowners with repairing damage to their mailbox or post.

Don’t forget the Veterans Day ceremony will take place at the Bethel Veterans Monument in front of Town Hall tomorrow, November 11th at 10:45 am. The local veteran organizations gather every year to host the event. Showing up for the short ceremony is a great way to honor them.

Are you into poetry? The Bethel Chapter of the CT Poetry Society has monthly poetry workshops on the 2nd Saturday of every month. The events are open to members and visitors. Check out the Bethel Public Library calendar for tomorrow, November 11th for more information or contact Michael Garry, President, Bethel Chapter of CPS at [email protected].

Congratulations to the BHS Marching Wildcats and Guard who are National Champions for a second time with their 2023 Class IIA winning score of 94.0, Best Visuals, Best Color Guard, Best Music, and Best Overall Effect! They are being honored with a parade on Monday, November 13th at 10:30 am at Bethel High School. Members of the public are invited to stand on Whittlesey Drive to celebrate their achievement.

If you have concerns, comments, ideas, or anything else you might like to talk about, drop by office hours on Wednesday, November 15th from 7 am to 8 am at the Town Hall in the First Selectman Office. The next office hours will be on Monday, November 27th from 5 pm to 7 pm.Congratulations to the Bethel High School NJROTC Marching Drill Team who took 2nd Place Overall at the SUNY Maritime College Drill Meet. The Varsity and JV Color Guards placed 1st, NJROTC placed 2nd in the academic competition and the physical fitness competition, and 3rd in platoon drill. Great job Cadets!

A big shout out to both the BHS Girls and BHS Boys Soccer Teams who have advanced to the Quarterfinals of the state playoffs. The girls play today, November 10th at 4 pm at home and the boys play tomorrow at 2 pm in East Lyme. Congrats and we are rooting for you!

Have a great weekend!

Dan

Bethel Pharmacy The Only CT Rite Aid To Shutter — For Now

Rite Aid has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but their only Connecticut store to close is in Bethel.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffBETHEL, CT — In the immediate aftermath of Rite Aid's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the pharmacy giant announced that its Bethel location at 289 Greenwood Avenue would be closing.The remainder of the chain's stores in Connecticut appears to have dodged a bullet, for the time being at least....

Rite Aid has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but their only Connecticut store to close is in Bethel.

RJ Scofield, Patch Staff

BETHEL, CT — In the immediate aftermath of Rite Aid's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the pharmacy giant announced that its Bethel location at 289 Greenwood Avenue would be closing.

The remainder of the chain's stores in Connecticut appears to have dodged a bullet, for the time being at least.

Rite Aid has signaled no disruptions, closures or otherwise, for their 26 remaining Connecticut pharmacies located in Ansonia, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, East Haven, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Branford, Northford, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven and Wolcott.

Just about 7 percent of Rite Aid's 2,100-plus are being shuttered nationwide. People who work at the stores will also be transferred to other Rite Aid locations where possible, the company said. Another 210 sites went dark between January and the end of September.

Closures are concentrated in the Northeast and California, but can be found throughout the U.S. No exact closing dates have been made available.

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The company said it was making "very effort to ensure customers of impacted stores have access to health services, whether at another Rite Aid or a nearby pharmacy." Prescriptions for customers of the affected stores will be transferred to a nearby Rite Aid or other drug store “so that there is no disruption of service,” the company said in a statement.

On Sunday, Rite Aid said it had received a commitment for $3.45 billion in new financing from certain of its lenders. "This financing is expected to provide sufficient liquidity to support the Company throughout this process," according to the chain's statement. The company also plans to sell off Elixir Solutions, its prescription benefit provider subsidiary.

Rite Aid’s bankruptcy comes amid slumping sales and heavy debt from an opioid lawsuit filed by the Justice Department in March that accuses the company of filling prescriptions for large quantities of opioids “that had obvious, and often multiple, red flags indicating misuse.”

Other drug store chains, including rivals CVS and Walgreens, have settled similar lawsuits, but were better positioned financially. But even they are struggling and closing in a tough environment for national drug store chains as Amazon and big-box retailers like Walmart, Target, Costco and others make it more convenient to have prescriptions filled, CNN reported.

Losses that quarter are expected to be significantly higher than in the previous quarter, the company said. That’s on top of losses of about three quarters of a billion dollars for the year ended March 2023, and losses of $307 million from March to May, CNN reported.

with Patch editor RJ Scofield

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Nov. 3 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

Holiday shopping, soccer domination, traffic software, positive change through the arts and more Bethel news… **News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter** Nov. 3, 2023Dear Bethel,The staff from The Center for Empowerment and Education paid us a visit this week and we had a great discussion about interpersonal violence. Last year The Center helped 1873 Bethel residents and another 343 who were in crisis! The Center is really committed to preventing interpersonal violence through...

Holiday shopping, soccer domination, traffic software, positive change through the arts and more Bethel news…

**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**

Nov. 3, 2023

Dear Bethel,

The staff from The Center for Empowerment and Education paid us a visit this week and we had a great discussion about interpersonal violence. Last year The Center helped 1873 Bethel residents and another 343 who were in crisis! The Center is really committed to preventing interpersonal violence through education and they are a huge resource for Bethel. If you are a man, woman or child and need help, or if you want to help others, check out The Center at https://thecenterct.org. Everyone deserves to live a life free from violence.

The town finished an evaluation of new software that will help us objectively rate the condition of our roads. The new program will help the town prioritize roads, save time, and get more from our road budget! Drop by one of my office hours and I will show you how it works.

Thank you for all the feedback regarding EV charging! Remember, the town only charges enough to cover the cost of electricity and fees for the units. I will have my next office hours on Wednesday, November 15th at Town Hall from 7 am to 8 am in the First Selectman Office.

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

From our awesome Voter Registrars regarding the Town election next week on Tuesday, November 7th: If you need to vote by absentee ballot, you can still visit the Town Clerk’s office on Monday. If you would like to vote and have not registered, you can register and vote at the Town Hall in the Voter Registrar’s office on election day while the polls are open. You will need an ID with an address in Bethel or an ID with something that confirms residence in Bethel. (Lease, utility bill, bank statement, etc.) Polls are open from 6 am to 8 pm. Visit https://bethel-ct.gov/election... for more information on polling locations.

The Bethel Public Library is looking to the future and we want the community's help. Please click the link to the library' Strategic Plan survey. By completing this survey, you are helping the library plan for the future: https://www.bethellibrary.org/...

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut has a mission to promote positive change through the arts. They are hosting a 3-day workshop in Danbury from Friday, January 19th at 4 pm to Sunday, January 21st at 5 pm that will teach participants how to work with others, think outside the box, and plan effectively to create small-scale projects that can make a difference in our community. The best projects go forward with the help of the Cultural Alliance. They are looking for participants from Bethel. There are a few scholarships available to cover the $35 fee. If interested, email [email protected]

Some of us may be getting an early start on decorating for Christmas. If you are throwing away old lights, HRRA wants to remind us that broken holiday lights and old lithium-ion batteries can go to our Electronic Waste Collection at our transfer station.

The Bethel Senior Center “Holiday Shoppe” is open on Tomorrow, November 4th from 9 am to 3 pm. Tag sale items, crafts, baked goods, raffles, quilts, crocheted items, food and private vendors. The Senior Center is accessible from the parking lot behind Town Hall.

St. Thomas’ Church at 95 Greenwood Ave. is also hosting a Holiday Fair tomorrow from 9 am to 3 pm. Baked goods, food, gifts, and much more!

The Bethel High School Players presents “The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong” on Friday, November 3 and Saturday November 4th at 7pm in BHS Auditorium. Visit https://www.bhstheaterboosters... for tickets.

You don’t have to have kids in school to catch a home football game. Bethel High School takes on Stratford at home tonight and New Fairfield next Friday, November 10th. Both games are at DeSantis Field at 7 pm. Remember, you are a Bethel Wildcat too!

Michael’s Tap Room in Stony Hill is hosting the Connecticut Cornhole Tournament on Sunday, November 5th from 1 pm to 4 pm to support Ben’s Bells. It’s a fun, family event! Learn more at https://bensbells.org/cornhole

Don’t forget daylight saving time ends at 2 am on Sunday, November 5th. Set your clocks back an hour to standard time.

Town Hall will be closed on Friday, November 10th in observance of Veterans Day. The 2023 Veterans Day ceremony will take place at the Bethel Veterans Monument in front of Town Hall on Saturday, November 11th at 10:45 am. It is a short ceremony, but a meaningful way to recognize our veterans.

Congrats to the Bethel Marching Wildcats and Guard who are State Champions again and are competing in the Nationals next weekend! Way to go!

A big shout out to the Bethel HS Boys Soccer team on their 2023 South Western Conference Championship win! It’s the first since 2015. Check out what victory looks like

Have a great weekend!

Dan

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Sept. 15 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

Locating lead pipes, Oktoberfest shenanigans, a reminder from the Taxman and more Bethel news…|Updated Sat, Sep 16, 2023 at 9:56 am ET**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**Sept. 15, 2023Dear Bethel,With two months of our annual budget behind us, I had the monthly review of Bethel’s finances this week with our Comptroller and Assistant Comptroller. Like the State of Connecticut, Bethel’s fiscal year runs from July 1st, 2023 to June 30th, 2024. While the ...

Locating lead pipes, Oktoberfest shenanigans, a reminder from the Taxman and more Bethel news…

|Updated Sat, Sep 16, 2023 at 9:56 am ET

**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**

Sept. 15, 2023

Dear Bethel,

With two months of our annual budget behind us, I had the monthly review of Bethel’s finances this week with our Comptroller and Assistant Comptroller. Like the State of Connecticut, Bethel’s fiscal year runs from July 1st, 2023 to June 30th, 2024. While the entire budget is almost $89 million, the town has an operating budget of just under $30 million. To learn more about where your money goes, check out the “Budget” link at www.bethel-ct.gov.

Another reminder from the Tax Collector, if you are on town sewer, the vendor made changes to our bill format. The "Total Due" is the full assessment payoff figure for September 2023, and NOT what is due immediately. The "Previous Balance" is your unbilled principal balance and the figure below "Charge Amount" is the amount due this year, which includes principal and interest. Please contact the Tax Collectors Office at 203-794-8509 with any questions or concerns. We are changing vendors next year.

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Our Public Utilities Director says “Thank you!” to all those who have contacted the department to help locate lead pipes. If you are served by the Bethel Water Department, you should have received a card in the mail with instructions on how to verify the type of pipe that enters your home or business. If you haven’t, please email your address and the type of pipe to [email protected] or ask for someone to come out and take a look. Feel free to include a photo. You can also call the Bethel Water Department at 203-794-8549.

It's worth mentioning that Eversource and the Red Cross have done a great job this week staying in touch with community leaders regarding Hurricane Lee. Lee is not expected to affect Bethel. Eastern Connecticut will experience increasing winds tonight, with some occasional gusts overnight and more consistent hazardous winds of 35-40 mph beginning early Saturday until early Sunday morning.

This Sunday, September 17th looks like a beautiful day and it will be busy downtown! If you have difficulty finding parking, please park behind the Town Hall (entrance on Wooster Ave) or the Bethel Train Station (13 Durant Ave) Between 12 pm and 6 pm a trolly will be stopping at the Town Hall lot (Wooster Street entrance), the Bethel Train Station, and Depot Place approximately every 15 minutes.

Broken Symmetry is kicking off Oktoberfest with the Bethel Downtown Oktoberfest on Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm at Depot Place. Amazing German beer, non-alcoholic beverages, local food vendors, kids games and live music will make it a great day for the family. Presale tickets available at www.downtownoktoberfest.com. If you don’t get enough Oktoberfest on Sunday, don’t worry. Edison and the Putnam House are also showcasing Oktoberfest menus.

Over 55 and looking to be a little more active? Longevity In Functional Training (LIFT) is a weekly class that uses body weight, pushing, pulling and stepping movements. You do not have to be active to participate. The classes are at Town Hall from 9 am to 9:50 am on Mondays starting September 18th and Fridays starting September 22nd. Classes are $15 and you must register 1 week prior. (Note that non-residents pay an additional $25 fee per quarter) Register online at bethelct.myrec.com or call 203-794-8531.

September is Hunger Action Awareness Month and the Newtown Savings Bank Foundation is providing a $2,000 grant to Bethel Social Services to support neighbors in need. You can also do your part to help our neighbors by dropping off non-perishable food at the Dolan Plaza and Stony Hill locations starting Monday, September 18th through September 30th. Thank you NSB!Bethel Drum Circle is back on Saturday, September 23rd from 3 pm to 4:30 pm. Bring a persuasion instrument and prepare for a fun afternoon of joy and musical rhythms. There will be a few drums and percussion instruments on hand (first come, first serve), or come up with your own! The event is for all ages, not just musicians, and it is about bringing community together. A $5 donation requested.

Congrats to the boys soccer team and girls cross country for their big wins this week. Way to start off the season!

Wishing the Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volley Ball teams good luck this weekend at Immaculate!

Have a great weekend!

Dan

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Aug. 25 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

Real Men Wear Pink, Cobalt Blue, school bus safety, "Quest for the Best," that library elevator and more Bethel news…**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**Aug. 25, 2023Dear Bethel,The Board of Selectmen scheduled a Special Town Meeting for next Tuesday, August 29th at 7 pm at Town Hall in Meeting Room A to vote on the sale of 21 and 23 Trowbridge Dr. in Francis J Clarke Park. In January of 2022, after approvals from the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Financ...

Real Men Wear Pink, Cobalt Blue, school bus safety, "Quest for the Best," that library elevator and more Bethel news…

**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**

Aug. 25, 2023

Dear Bethel,

The Board of Selectmen scheduled a Special Town Meeting for next Tuesday, August 29th at 7 pm at Town Hall in Meeting Room A to vote on the sale of 21 and 23 Trowbridge Dr. in Francis J Clarke Park. In January of 2022, after approvals from the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance, residents voted to appropriate up to $872,633 and accept a $635,017 state grant to develop 4 town owned properties in the park for sale. The town spent $772,571 on the project. In July 2023, after approval from the Economic Development Commission, Planning & Zoning, and the Board of Finance, the Board of Selectmen held a public hearing and voted to accept offers on two of the four properties: $500,000 for 21 Trowbridge Dr. and $725,000 for 23 Trowbridge Dr. Now that the contracts are complete, next week is the final step in the process when residents have an opportunity to vote on the two sales!

Unfortunately, the elevator at the Bethel Library is out of service. We realize how difficult the situation is for the library patrons and employees, so we are moving as fast as possible to repair the elevator. It may take some time since both the motor and pump are blown and parts are hard to come by. We will try to keep everyone updated and the amazing library staff are doing everything possible to accommodate you during the outage!

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

School starts next week, so school busses and students will be out and about! Keep in mind bus routes may have changed, so give yourself some extra time. Kids, stand at least 5 giant steps from the bus stop (10 feet). Drivers must stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus. One complaint I receive the most lately is that there are cars speeding in town. Please slow down.

If you have concerns, complaints, questions, ideas, accolades, or anything else to discuss about Bethel, please stop by office hours this week on Wednesday, August 30th from 7 am to 8 am at Town Hall in the First Selectman Office.

The final performance in the Summer Concert Series is Sunday, August 27th from 6 pm -8 pm on the Town Hall lawn. If weather is a concern, call cancellation line at 203-794-8502. This week’s band is the Cobalt Blue Band!

The Town of Wilton is hosting the next HRRA Hazardous Waste drop-off for our area on Saturday, September 9th at the Miller-Driscoll School at 217 Wolfpit Rd. in Wilton from 9am-1pm. This a terrific opportunity to rid yourself of any paints, chemicals, pesticides, or many other hazardous materials you may have collected over the summer. Remember, bring an ID to show Bethel residency and put your stuff in the back of your car so workers can remove it for you. Please check out the HRRA website for details and a full schedule of drop-off events: https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste/

In April Henry Atkins, now an 8th grader at Bethel Middle School, was recognized for his work with the local as an Ambassador for Real Men Wear Pink of Fairfield, which supports the American Cancer Society. We are partnering with Henry this October to raise awareness about the importance of getting screened, living a healthy lifestyle, and educating our community. We will be reaching out to local businesses and groups over the next month and putting together a community kickoff event in early October. If you are interested in getting involved, please email [email protected]. Stay tuned!

Get ready for a great community night out when the Bethel Marching Band kicks off the 2023 season with the “Quest for the Best” on Saturday, September 9th at 6 pm at the Bethel High School football/track field. 7 bands are scheduled to perform followed by awards and recognition of this year’s seniors. General admission is $15, Students/Seniors is $10, and kids 5 and under are free.

Last Friday was our final Food Truck Friday for 2023. Thank you Mary, Emma, Parks and Rec, Newtown Savings, and all the bands and food trucks who made the event possible!

A shout out to all the teachers in the Bethel Public Schools! Your Convocation this week was so packed with positive energy and dedication for your students. Thank you for your commitment to our community and we wish you a great year!

Have a great weekend!

Dan

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