Rochelle lauds $1M in state aid for Cicia Manor upgrades in Derby

Kara Rochelle

HARTFORD - State Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby, this week applauded the announcement of $1 million in state aid awarded to Derby’s Housing Authority for improvements to Cicia Manor, which provides housing to elderly and disabled residents.  

The funding, administered by the state Department of Housing with resources from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is part of $13 million in Community Development Block Grants awarded to 13 municipalities across the state after a competitive application process. 

The grants will help provide infrastructure upgrades that will modernize and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate-income individuals.

“I want to thank and praise all parties, as this was a true team effort," Rochelle said.  "Of note, a warm thank you to Derby Housing Authority Chair Linda Fusco for spearheading these effort, coordinating state and local officials, and being the soul and force behind the work. I’d also like to thank Derby Housing Authority Commissioner Adam Pacheco for joining me in Hartford to meet with state Department of Housing officials to advocate for Derby’s needs; Grant Writers Patty Finn and Peter Testa for their well-crafted application; Derby’s State Elderly Coordinator Ellen Oczkowski who coordinated much of the local data, Mayor Richard Dziekan and the Derby legislative delegation, state Rep. Themis Klarides, state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, and state Sen. George S. Logan for their letter of support; Gov. Ned Lamont, state DOH Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, and her team for seeing the value in allocating resources to our community, and many others who have had their hand in bringing this to fruition for our residents.  When we work together, good things happen.”

The proposed scope of work for Cicia Manor is to create three new ADA-Complaint residential units and make ADA upgrades to the Community Building. The kitchen area will be renovated. The existing bathrooms will be redesigned to address access, floor space, turning radius, approach zones, and clearances. 

The electric baseboard heating system will be supplemented with a heat pump significantly reducing electrical usage, and generator installation will allow the community building to be used as a place of refuge for all residents in the event of power outages.


This is a press release from Rochelle's office.

Buy a T-shirt at Ansonia Harvest Festival, support animal shelter

Sharing from the Ansonia Animal Shelter Facebook page:

Ansonia Animal Shelter will be selling custom T-shirts tomorrow at the Harvest Festival!

🐾🐾 

Stop by and help support the animals.

** T-shirts are $15 **
** All sizes to pick from **

Ansonia Police announce Saturday street closings for Harvest Festival

ANSONIA - On Saturday the City of Ansonia will be closing Main Street (State Route 115) from Tremont Street to Maple Street for the annual Harvest Festival, police announced today.  

Bridge Street and Kingston Drive from East Main Street to West Main Street also will be closed to traffic.

The roads will be closed from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Traffic traveling northbound on Main Street (Route 115) will detour right onto Tremont Street, left onto West Main Street to return to Route 115.

Traffic traveling southbound on Main Street (Route 115) will detour right onto Maple Street, left onto Olson Drive, left onto Bridge Street and right onto West Main Street to return to Route 115.

Traffic delays in the area may occur. Please drive carefully.

This is a press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch.

See festival info below:

Recuperation journey: After the rain

My husband Ralph and I attended the Center for Disability Rights' 30th anniversary celebration Thursday at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven. 
CDR is a wonderful nonprofit organization based in West Haven that helps individuals with disabilities to become better advocates.

While there I was able to capture some photos of the amazing sunset through windows at the venue.

Wesley Village in Shelton celebrates 50th anniversary

Contributed photo

SHELTON - Forty lush acres were flooded with residents, families, and guests recently as Wesley Village celebrated its 50th anniversary as the area's leading senior care provider. 
Children’s faces were painted, farm animals visited, classic cars were on display, restaurants provided delicious food samples and live music was enjoyed by all.

More than 350 people were in attendance and guests’ ages ranged from a couple of months old to over 100-years old. There were activities for all ages to enjoy.
“It’s been a long time that we’ve been doing this work. There were just people caring for other people. It started in a church with people noticing that fellow church members needed some help and they went out of their way to help them. I think the folks who started this mission back in the 1800s would be very proud of what we’re carrying forward today as an organization,” said President and CEO David Lawlor.

Wesley Village cares for hundreds of patients and residents annually and offers many senior living options ranging from independent living to skilled nursing care. 
The many levels of support and care that residents have access to help them live out the best of their years by maintaining a good quality of life and enjoying each milestone.

“I feel secure living here and everyone is so nice. Everyone says “Hello” and laughs. I don’t think you get many staff members like that at other places,” Virginia Kristoff, Crosby Commons resident, said.

Staff members brought residents and guests around the campus-wide events on golf carts so they could enjoy the activities which were spread across the property. 
Bishop Wicke Health & Rehab Center hosted a special classic car display and a DJ, there was a petting zoo and live music at Crosby Commons, and Wesley Heights had a bubble show, accordion player, and lots of great food provided by Misimi Restaurant, Amici’s, Heav'nly Donuts, David Grant caterers, Vazzy’s Cucina, and wood-fired pizza made by our own culinary team.

The celebration ran from 2-4 p.m. and saw a great comraderie among employees, residents, families, guests, and local dignitaries. 
The organization’s staff work hard to ensure residents are living dignified lives and know that they are loved and cared for. 
“Not many people have the opportunity to have a tangible impact on someone else’s life, day in and day out. I am proud of the work that I do, to be able to serve our residents, and enjoy their positive energy every day,” said Benjamin Schiano, Executive Director of Wesley Heights.

The Wesley Village Campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and includes: Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Community, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living/Memory Support Community, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus is owned and operated by UMH, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Shelton High School to hold 5K Crazy 4 Color Run