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 Gores Pavilion 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 New Canaan, 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.
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia,”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield”
“Excellent!”
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will continue to reach out to them first any time I have care needs. Not only was my caregiver great, but the service and care I got from Alan was above and beyond. He is so responsive, invested and attentive - feel like I’m working with a friend/family. They really care about their care recipients and make you feel like a VIP. The caregiver we were assigned was not only sweet and warm, but she wouldn’t sit still and made sure she was always doing something helpful. Couldn’t be happier with the company or caregiver, and will work with them anytime the need arises.”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back Up Care" can be a little tricky to use and sometimes difficult to get the care properly confirmed. I reached out to Alan the day before my booking and he did a tremendous job at making sure that I had appropriate care for my 5 month old and that I wouldn't have to stress. Our actual caregiver, Chyna was great. She arrived on time, was knowledgable, respectful, and friendly. We had no worries leaving our 5 month old in her care. I'd book with Always Best Care again.”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages changes and last minute needs as though our family member is his family. He is also there in person to make sure everything is going smoothly.”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide is amazing as well. Thank you ABC for providing exceptional service!!”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us with childcare and she went above and beyond caring for our son permitting us to focus at work!”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia, we burned through multiple agencies and aides. Only at the end did we find unmatched compassion and competence with Alan and his team of aides at Always Best Care. A lot of times the whole experience felt overwhelming, disjointed and end of life care system just plain broken. They were the one shining bright spot. Our family would recommend them in the highest order.”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care givers for my mom in her final months were gracious, considerate, compassionate and professional. I spoke with Alan many times telling him how thankful i was to have him and the outstanding service his company provided to my mother. My highest recommendation to Alan and his staff at Always Best Care.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on her feet again after hip surgery and to be her companion for three weeks during Covid quarantine as she moved from rehab center back to her senior living apartment. All services were provided with the highest level of kindness, compassion and dignity and we are truly grateful for the help.”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable assisted living place for my Mom. She presented an array of good choices, gave me some very good advice about things to look for when I checked them out, responded quickly and completely to every question I had, and did all of this in the hurry done urgent circumstances required. No hard sell, just good knowledgeable work.”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield County. If you know a loved one in need of care, please visit our website or call us anytime for a free no-obligation expert consultation.”
“Excellent!”
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 Irwin 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 South End or visit New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, 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 New Canaan, 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 New Canaan, 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 New Canaan, 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 CANAAN — Following pushback from the community, New Canaan’s Town Council approved a $181 million budget that cuts the school district’s budget but keeps funding for two new positions.The Town Council’s approved town operating budget of $181,005,478, with the only cut from the Board of Finance's version being a $150,000 from the Board of Education’s budget. ...
NEW CANAAN — Following pushback from the community, New Canaan’s Town Council approved a $181 million budget that cuts the school district’s budget but keeps funding for two new positions.
The Town Council’s approved town operating budget of $181,005,478, with the only cut from the Board of Finance's version being a $150,000 from the Board of Education’s budget. The town’s operating expenses remain the same at $43,789,548. Overall, the total budget marks a 3.47% increase from the current fiscal year.
"It's humbling, the diligence, the thoughtfulness that we all engage in, especially on a Town Council after this budget season," Town Council chair Mike Mauro said following the final vote. "This budget funds our operations and capital. It's giving us top performing schools, safe streets, superior infrastructure, strong social services. We're continuing to help the library be... the continued rising star of this community. And I think we're all proud that the public has been heard."
New Canaan Public Schools’ budget request for the 2025-26 school year is now $450,000 less than the $114.2 million budget the Board of Education approved in January. During budget discussions with the finance board, school officials agreed to cut $300,000 from its operating expenses and Health and Internal Service Fund transfer.
While Town Council members settled on $150,000 on April 3, the council initially discussed cutting $300,000 from the schools in prior meetings. In the council's March 27 meeting, member Eric Thunem said the cut would reduce the school budget closer to the Board of Finance’s original request of below a 4% overall increase, which would require about a total $650,000 cut.
During the Town Council’s April 1 public hearing, Superintendent Bryan Luizzi confirmed the additional $300,000 cut would mean losing two new positions, a math interventionist and a classroom coach for the elementary schools. The Board of Education members added the positions given the desire among staff and students.
Residents, staff and students defended the two positions as necessary during the April 1 public hearing.
"Teachers consistently seek coaching and support crucial investments that directly enhance the quality of instruction in our classrooms," teachers union president Ronna Van Veghel said. "The work of our teachers coaches and support staff has never been more vital. Reductions would only undermine our ability to meet these challenges head on."
When the suggestion was floated in the March 27 meeting, Mauro said the Town Council would approve a special appropriation should the district have some sort of shortfall. However, Luizzi said such a process implies to taxpayers that the district is not running the schools within the appropriation given,
“I don't think it's a good look for a district, certainly not a good look for a superintendent and a CFO and his cabinet,” Luizzi said. “It's not something we would do unless the situation was dire.”
The proposal was also not popular with several Town Council members, with member Tom Butterworth calling the references to the Board of Finance’s original request a “red herring” in the April 1 meeting since “they stopped, they accepted the explanation and they took that and they approved the budget.”
Member Rita Bettino, who supported cutting the school budget last year, said the school district's end of year giveback of any excess funds and growth under the proved school officials as "responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars."
Coming into the April 3 vote, council members agreed on a compromise of $150,000. While members cannot make line item changes on what to cut or not cut, several members referred to the desire to keep the two positions, with Thunem saying, “We think that's important enough to come to this number.”
Luizzi confirmed that the district intends to hire for the two positions, saying, “We really think it is going to help our students" based on the district's successful pilot programs. To account for the cut, Luizzi said he would instead recommend adjusting the district’s assumed turnover savings.
Following the meeting, Luizzi said the amount of community support was “inspiring.”
“It was a great example of democracy in action,” Luizzi said. “The community came out in support of the Board of Education’s budget and the work that we do, and the Town Council listened, compromised and came to a place where we could still meet our goals.”
While applauding the compromise and process transparency, several members said they hoped to begin conversations around the school budget far earlier to avoid another year of last minute cuts like this year or the year before.
Member Maria Naughton suggested pursuing an efficiency study or evaluation adding, “I just hope that with us starting a little earlier, maybe considering the idea of a townwide self study, or efficiency study, and the self evaluation, all those things can come together to tighten things up even more.”
The town’s other operating and capital expenses remained otherwise intact, including a $3 million grant for the New Canaan Library. Library staff, local students and other members of the community spoke in support of not cutting the library’s budget during the April 1 public hearing, though no motion was officially made to cut it on April 3.
Under the current budget, the mill rate is expected to increase from 16.144 to an estimated 16.767, up 3.86%. The Board of Finance is slated to meet June 10 to set the final mill rate.
April 9, 2025
Weeklies Editor
Drew Pyne is headed to Bowling Green.The New Canaan alum, a quarterback, will join the Falcons’ football team and its new head coach, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Pro Bowler Eddie George, for the upcoming football season.Bowling Green will be Pyne’s fourth college stop after playing three years at Notre Dame (2020-22), and one year each at Arizona State (2023) and Missouri (2024). He announced he was ...
Drew Pyne is headed to Bowling Green.
The New Canaan alum, a quarterback, will join the Falcons’ football team and its new head coach, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Pro Bowler Eddie George, for the upcoming football season.
Bowling Green will be Pyne’s fourth college stop after playing three years at Notre Dame (2020-22), and one year each at Arizona State (2023) and Missouri (2024). He announced he was entering the transfer portal last week.
Pyne visited Bowling Green during the weekend and met with George and offensive coordinator Travis Partridge. The pair coached an up-temp, spread offense while at Tennessee State.
"The opportunity to go play for Eddie George, a returning offensive line that's strong and experienced," Pyne told ESPN's Peter Thamel. "And a team that's very good, played in three-straight bowl games and can compete for a championship."
Pyne, 24, already played some spring ball at Missouri and so he can't join Bowling Green yet. He'll enroll on May 18 and has two years of eligibility remaining according to ESPN.
Throughout his college career, Pyne has thrown for 2,921 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a completion percentage of 61.2%. He is 9-3 in 12 college starts and has earned three game balls in his 25 games played: Twice with Notre Dame versus Wisconsin in 2021 and Clemson in 2022, and once with Missouri versus Oklahoma in 2024.
George signed a five-year contract with Bowling Green in March after four seasons at Tennessee State. The Tigers were 9-4 last fall, reached the FCS playoffs and earned a share of the OVC-Big South title, the first for Tennessee State since 1999.
At Tennessee State, George and Partridge used a fast, no-huddle spread offense, averaging more than 32 pass per game last fall.
Pyne’s best collegiate season was with Notre Dame in 2022, when he played in 11 games and went 8-2 in 10 starts, passing for 2,021 yards - an average of 183.7 per game. He was 164-for-254 with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions.
After one season with Arizona State, Pyne returned to Notre Dame in December, 2023, to complete his degree, but did not rejoin the football program and thus was eligible to transfer again in 2024, eventually joining Missouri.
Pyne played in six games with the Tigers last season, completing 49-of-82 passes for 391 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Missouri won his only start, 30-23 over Oklahoma, with Pyne passing for 143 yards and three touchdowns.
Pyne said playing at different schools has taught him "to persevere and never give up. I've never been scared of competition. I've always wanted to play ball and lead guys. What I've learned is that I love being able to get a group of guys and lead them."
While at New Canaan, he helped lead the Rams to two CIAC finals, winning a Class L championship in 2016. He is New Canaan’s record holder in several career passing categories, including yards (9,411), touchdowns (105), and completions (701).
NEW CANAAN, CT — On Thursday, the New Canaan Town Council approved a total expenditure budget of $181 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, representing an increase of 3.47 percent over the current fiscal year, town officials said.According to a news release breaking down the numbers provided by the town, the total expenditure budget includes Board of Education operating expenses of $95.38 million (up 4.36 percent) and Board of Education transfers to the Health Internal Service Fund expenses of $18.41 million (up 3.77 percent) ...
NEW CANAAN, CT — On Thursday, the New Canaan Town Council approved a total expenditure budget of $181 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, representing an increase of 3.47 percent over the current fiscal year, town officials said.
According to a news release breaking down the numbers provided by the town, the total expenditure budget includes Board of Education operating expenses of $95.38 million (up 4.36 percent) and Board of Education transfers to the Health Internal Service Fund expenses of $18.41 million (up 3.77 percent) for a combined Board of Education expense budget of $113.79 (up 4.26 percent).
In addition to these expenses, the budget includes $6.25 million of other Board of Education expenses paid by the town, officials said.
Town department operational expenses were approved at $34.93 million (up 3.25 percent). Other budget items include a combined town and Board of Education debt service of $18.38 million (down 2.80 percent) and tax-funded capital projects of $0.47 million (up 22.94 percent), according to town officials.
To fund this budget, the amount to be raised from taxation is $164.79 (up 4.24 percent), officials said.
"As with last year, the town continues to address the challenges of acute inflationary pressure and ever-increasing costs for items such as labor, energy, materials and healthcare," Town Council Chairman Michael Mauro said in a news release. "Nevertheless, Town Council dedicated volunteer members worked with the leadership teams from the town's departments in scrutinizing the operating and capital budgets to ensure that the standard of excellence expected by town residents will continue to be provided at the best value possible."
Mauro also emphasized council members carefully considered input from all community stakeholders, including those who sent them emails and spoke at their public sessions.
"The hallmark of a vibrant and strong community is measured by its robust citizenry engagement," Mauro said. "Town Council listened carefully and responded by passing a budget that continues to provide the resources for our public schools to remain best in class, for our first responders to maintain their vital efficacy in keeping us safe, for fortifying the beauty of our parks and the soundness of our infrastructure, for bolstering critical social services, and for enabling the library's ascent as a rising local and regional star."
The council's budget also takes into account the town assessor's reported 2024 Grand List increase of 0.38 percent to $9.940 billion from the 2023 Grand List of $9.90 billion, officials noted.
This Grand List, combined with an estimated $5 million fund balance drawdown, will result in a projected increase of the mill rate from the current 16.144 to an estimated 16.767 (up 3.86 percent), according to town officials.
The final mill rate, which determines property taxes, is to be set by the Board of Finance by June 10.
The full Town Council-approved operating and capital budgets for the 2025-2026 fiscal year can be found on the Finance Department's section of the town website.
New Canaan encourages residents to once again help beautify its parks, schools and neighborhoods during the 2025 Clean Your Mile event.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffInformation via the town of New CanaanNEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan encourages residents to once again help beautify its parks, schools and neighborhoods during ...
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
Information via the town of New Canaan
NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan encourages residents to once again help beautify its parks, schools and neighborhoods during the 2025 Clean Your Mile event.
According to a news release provided by New Canaan, the town is joining forces with the Chamber of Commerce and Planet New Canaan for the event.
For the last several years, the Clean Your Mile effort has included three key components: New Canaan citizens individually tackling neighborhoods, community groups scouring public spaces such as parks and schools and the chamber's efforts with merchants to clean up sidewalks, storage areas and parking spaces surrounding the shops and restaurants in the downtown village district, according to town officials.
Clean Your Mile is scheduled to take place April 21-27, however residents are welcome to participate anytime, town officials said.
Individual volunteers and members of numerous community organizations help give New Canaan its annual spring cleaning, beautifying the town and its environment. Youth Groups and Civic organizations are asked to clean the parks, parking lots, schools and public areas where they have volunteered in previous years, according to town officials.
"We welcome families to organize neighborhood teams to clean up roadside trash on their street," town officials said in a news release. "All help is appreciated."
Town officials also noted upon completion of neighborhood CYM collection, volunteers are asked to notify the Highway Department with the location of bags for pick up by calling 203-594-3704.
Volunteers are asked to secure bags for pick up and place on grassy shoulder and not along roadways, town officials said.
New this year, Walter Stewart's Market and Planet New Canaan will be providing a promotional giveaway, while supplies last, for those who participate in Clean Your Mile, details of which are forthcoming, according to town officials.
Garbage bags and a limited supply of grabbers for loan are available for pickup at the Public Works Department or Inland Wetlands at Town Hall in New Canaan. Dumpsters will be located in the train station commuter lot Friday-Sunday.
"Remember to work safe when cleaning roadside," town officials said.
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