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.
The dates have been announced for residents of New Canaan and neighboring towns with reciprocal privileges for disposing materials.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffInformation via the town of New CanaanNEW CANAAN, CT — Hazardous waste collection dates have been announced for households in New Canaan and neighborin...
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
Information via the town of New Canaan
NEW CANAAN, CT — Hazardous waste collection dates have been announced for households in New Canaan and neighboring towns where there are reciprocal privileges for disposing materials.
According to a news release posted to the town website, New Canaan residents are permitted to drop off the hazardous materials in Darien, Greenwich, Norwalk, Stamford or Westport, in addition to New Canaan, during their designated hazardous waste collection days.
Residents of those other towns may drop off their materials in New Canaan during the town's designated day (Sept. 27).
Anyone disposing of hazardous materials must have proof of residency, according to town officials.
Planet New Canaan advises that it may be advantageous for New Canaan residents to drop off hazardous materials prior to New Canaan's September date to avoid having hazardous waste on their property unnecessarily over the summer.
Hazardous Waste Collection Dates 2025
More information for each collection date is available by calling the corresponding Town Hall.
According to town officials, household hazardous waste can be any improperly discarded product that may be classified as toxic (poisonous), corrosive, flammable or reactive (explosive). Such products can be found in most homes, garages or workshops and can poison people and animals and pollute the home and natural environments.
Reading label precautions can identify many of these products with words such as poison, corrosive, toxic, volatile, flammable, caution, danger or warning, according to town officials.
A list of what is accepted and how to transport the materials safely is available here. Further hazardous waste day information is available at newcanaan.info.
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Rankings website Niche.com just published its 2025 list of the "best places to live in Connecticut" and New Canaan made the grade.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffNEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan was named one of the best places to live in Connecticut in the latest set of rankings released by Niche on Monday.Now in its 11th year, the ...
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan was named one of the best places to live in Connecticut in the latest set of rankings released by Niche on Monday.
Now in its 11th year, the ranking from the data-driven platform Niche helps everyone from young people just starting their careers or families to retirees decide where they want to live.
The report analyzes places of various sizes, including cities with populations of 100,000 or more, suburbs and neighborhoods.
Overall, New Canaan ranked 31st on the list. The town's overall Niche grade was listed as "A" and it also received an "A" level grade for its public schools, health and fitness and being good for families. More information on New Canaan is available here.
See also: The Top 100 Places To Live In Connecticut: 2025 Rankings
West Hartford was once again named the best place to live in Connecticut, according to the list.
West Hartford's public schools, family friendliness, and devotion to health and fitness each received an "A+" on the Niche report card. The Top 100 Connecticut towns in Niche's 2025 rankings are listed below.
The rankings are based on a wide range of public data sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, combined with millions of resident reviews.
Niche said it analyzed thousands of communities to compile this year’s ranking. Community attributes considered in developing the list included the health of the local housing market, neighborhood diversity, area public schools and walkability, among others. (More on methodology.)
According to the ranking, the five best places to live in the United States are: Colonial Village, VA; Atlantic Station, GA; Chesterbrook, PA; Harbour Island, FL; City Center, CA.
The full list of the top 100 place to live in Connecticut for 2025 can be viewed here.
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The New Canaan girls lacrosse team earned a No. 1 ranking, with the Darien girls and boys teams each ranked No. 2 in the preseason ...
The New Canaan girls lacrosse team earned a No. 1 ranking, with the Darien girls and boys teams each ranked No. 2 in the preseason USA Lacrosse Public High School Top 25 Rankings.
In all, seven Connecticut teams, three girls and four boys, were featured in the rankings.
New Canaan, the defending Class LL and FCIAC champion, and Darien, which was runner-up in both, top the public school rankings for girls lacrosse, with Wilton at No. 16. Greenwich is listed in the also considered category.
In the boys lacrosse Top 25, Summit (NJ) is No. 1, with Darien at No. 2. The Blue Wave was last year’s Class LL runner-up to Fairfield Prep.
The New Canaan boys are ranked at No. 11, with Staples No. 17. Ridgefield is listed in the also considered category.
USA Lacrosse began the national public schools rankings last spring and has been doing monthly updates.
Private and prep schools are included in the overall USA Lacrosse rankings but are eliminated from the public schools Top 25.
At the time, USA Lacrosse said that the “presence of public schools in the Top 25s has been shrinking over the last two decades, but interest in them has not. There are still plenty of powerful public school programs that deserve recognition, and there are probably more requests to see public-only rankings than anything else.”
March 17, 2025
Reporter
Dave Stewart is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group who has been covering sports in Connecticut since 1996 and serves as the GameTimeCT writer for volleyball, girls hockey, wrestling and girls lacrosse. He has won multiple New England Newspaper & Press Association and Connecticut SPJ awards for writing and photography and is a member of the FCIAC Hall of Fame.
The top-seeded New Canaan boys hockey team is one step from a perfect season after beating fourth-seeded Notre Dame-West Haven 3-1 in the Division I state semifinals on Wednesday. The Rams, 23-0-1 and ranked atop the HNIB News Connecticut Division I Top 8, used a balanced scoring effort to unseat the defending champions.Tony DelCarmine got New Canaan on the board first at 7:45 of the opening period, only for Ethan Kelly to tie the game just 23 seconds later. It remained one-all until 2:14 left in the ...
The top-seeded New Canaan boys hockey team is one step from a perfect season after beating fourth-seeded Notre Dame-West Haven 3-1 in the Division I state semifinals on Wednesday. The Rams, 23-0-1 and ranked atop the HNIB News Connecticut Division I Top 8, used a balanced scoring effort to unseat the defending champions.
Tony DelCarmine got New Canaan on the board first at 7:45 of the opening period, only for Ethan Kelly to tie the game just 23 seconds later. It remained one-all until 2:14 left in the third period when Cam Lyden scored shorthanded. Bryce Lyden then added an empty-net goal with 40.7 seconds to go, sending the Rams to their second straight state final and the third since 2006.
The Rams will meet second-seeded Darien, a 3-1 winner over sixth-seeded Simsbury, on Saturday (7 p.m.) at Quinnipiac University.
While this will be New Canaan’s 12th all-time appearance, it’s won just once (1972). Darien hasn’t made it since 2022 but last won in 2016.
“We went into it knowing it was going to be a tough battle, but we knew we were the better team,” Bryce Lyden said via CTInsider. “We had a win on them early this year and that gave us confidence we previously hadn’t had. We tried to tilt the ice early and keep it that way and I think we successfully did that.”
Brendon Harmon made 19 saves for New Canaan, while ND-WH’s Jacob Silva stopped 23 shots.
New Canaan and Darien met twice in the regular season, with the Rams winning 4-2 on Jan. 11 before a 1-1 tie on Feb. 10. The Rams, of course, won every other game they’ve played, including the FCIAC championship.
Darien, ranked No. 3 in the HNIB News Connecticut Division I Top 8, advanced behind two goals from James Troy. The Blue Wave (17-5-1) were tied scoreless before Russell Tarrant broke the ice at 13:05 of the third period. Troy then added a goal at 7:53, followed three-plus minutes later by a goal from Simsbury’s Ryan Goodwin. Troy’s goal with 3:44 remaining provided some breathing room.
Brady Davis made 34 saves for Simsbury, compared to 10 for Schaefer Repsher.
“Everyone played a good game for us, everybody did their job, and it was a full team effort,” Darien coach Mac Budd told CTInsider. “I’m happy that we had success, and hat’s off to Simsbury. They had a hell of a season.”
With both New Canaan and Darien advancing, the FCIAC is poised to crown its first state champion since Ridgefield in 2017. SCC powerhouses ND-WH and Fairfield Prep had combined to win the last five titles, excluding 2020 when the tournament was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CIAC Division I Final
Saturday, 7 p.m., Quinnipiac University
No. 1 New Canaan vs No. 2 Darien
The Board of Selectmen recently approved bumping the start of outdoor dining in New Canaan from April to May and extending it into November.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffNEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen approved this week bumping the start of outdoor dining in New Canaan from April to May and extending it into early November.During Tuesday's board meeting, Town Planner Sarah Carey said the previous schedule for ou...
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen approved this week bumping the start of outdoor dining in New Canaan from April to May and extending it into early November.
During Tuesday's board meeting, Town Planner Sarah Carey said the previous schedule for outdoor dining began April 1 and ran until Oct. 31.
Going forward, outdoor dining will now start May 1 and run until the first Sunday of November, which would be Nov. 2 this year.
"This is really just to try to balance the various needs of not only restaurants that are in downtown, but also other businesses and various pedestrians and other users of downtown," Carey said. "This would change it to be a perfect six months of having outdoor dining and then also not having outdoor dining, whereas before it was a little off balance."
Carey said the November end date is "mostly consistent with what other towns [in Connecticut] are doing," such as Greenwich.
Administrative Officer Tucker Murphy said the town sent out a parking survey last year that included a question about outdoor dining in town, which received a very positive response.
"It was overwhelmingly people supported outdoor dining," Murphy said, "however the retailers feel that there should be some consideration for the month of April when the weather may be not as nice, and to see chairs out on the street with no one in them just really sort of irks them, so we're trying to shorten up the time period of the outdoor dining to take advantage of the good weather and in response to those concerns."
First Selectman Dionna Carlson also noted outdoor dining had to shut down last year on Oct. 31 due to starting in April, however the weather the following weekend ended up being beautiful.
Due to this, town officials wanted to make sure the weekend after Halloween was available for outdoor dining regardless of what day Oct. 31 falls on.
"And the weather doesn't tend to be great here in April," Carlson said, "maybe you'll get a few days, but I think September and October are more consistently great months."
Selectman Stephen Karl asked if everything regarding barriers and what the public sees on the streets this year would be the same as last year. Murphy noted there will be "new bump outs," but everything else should be similar provided all the same restaurants apply.
Carey also noted all town restaurants in commercial zones are permitted to apply, however most do, so the amount should be similar.
Murphy said the town adjusted permit fees last year to reflect the number of seats at a business, as opposed to one fee for all regardless of seat count.
"I was going to suggest maybe a small bump this year," Karl said, "but because we're shortening the season up I think that we keep the rates the same. It's kind of a fair compromise, but I would say that there is room next year to look at the rates again, because looking at what these other towns are charging, there is definitely room there."
Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll asked if there was a minimum amount of square footage a business needs for a seat, however Carey said there was not.
The changes to outdoor dining were unanimously approved by all three board members.
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