BUSINESS BUZZ

The VNA Northwest, Inc., which serves the Greater New Milford area, has received a grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority for $67,000 to expand its home telemonitoring program.

The grant has allowed the VNA to purchase 25 home telemonitors to care for patients.

VNA Northwest has added these monitors to the 15 it has had in use since 2007. The initial monitors were also purchased with grant funding from CHEFA.

Telehealth monitors are small devices that can be temporarily installed in patients' homes so the patients' vital health data can be submitted to the agency office and evaluated by a registered nurse each day.

Bryce Finnan of Good Works Insurance in New Milford recently became a member of State Auto Insurance Companies independent agents, known as PaceSetter agents.

The goal of the year-long program is to form a sales/marketing partnership with each agent to improve service to all customers, said Robert Restrept, the chairman/CEO.

For the fourth consecutive year, YardApes, Inc. in New Milford has been selected for the 2012 Best of New Milford Award in the Landscaping category by the U.S. Commerce Association.

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.

Each year, the USCA identifies companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.

These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only one in 250 -- less than half of 1 percent --2012 award recipients qualified as four-time award winners.

YardApes recently participated in the Professional Landcare Network's nationwide Day of Service.

YardApes volunteers enhanced green spaces at The Children's Center in New Milford and the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem April 20 as part of the day of service.

Klemm Real Estate, which serves the Greater New Milford area, recently brokered a sale in Washington with an asking price of $1.695 million.

The sale represents the highest price paid for property in Washington in 2012.

This is the latest in a string of record-breaking sales by the Klemm firm.

The property features an historical farmhouse that once belonged to the well-known musician Helen Armstrong, a woman who contributed to the cultural life of the town and promoted music education in the schools.

"The sellers made it into one of the best listings I've ever represented, and I am extremely proud to have brought the buyers," said Gael Hammer, broker of Klemm Real Estate.

So far in 2012, Klemm has brokered the most multi-million-dollar sales throughout the county, as well as many in New York state.

For more information, contact Graham Klemm at 860-488-6635 or g@klemmrealestate.com.

Vida Bundra, bank assistant branch manager at the Park Lane Union Savings Bank in New Milford, recently graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management (CSFM).

She received a certificate of completion for the program during a March 28 ceremony at the Trumbull Marriott.

CSFM is a competitive two-year program sponsored by the Connecticut Banking Association with the purpose of providing the employees of Connecticut member banks with a broad perspective on the banking industry as a whole, as well as instruction on select managerial topics related to banking.

Students attend monthly, full-day classes taught by banking industry specialists, complete take-home assignments and write a first-year paper.

The program ends with the completion of BankSim, an assignment intended to replicate the management of a bank during a period of three years.

The project includes visits from state bank examiners, auditors, stockholders and the media. Students work together in teams to compete against each other for market supremacy while remaining in compliance with banking laws and regulations.

Liat Shenkar, a freshman at Danbury High School, has taken a simple written English assignment and made a donation to the Kids Care Club at Danbury Hospital, part of Western Connecticut Health Network.

"Magical Memories" is a scrapbook project includes stickers, photo albums, scrap book paper, glue and other items.

She hopes to drop off scrapbook materials once a month for NICU families.

The project will also count towards her Silver Award in Girl Scouts.

Washington resident Steven M. Haas of Haas, Guiditta & Associates in Southbury, was recently named to Ameriprise Financial's 2012 Chairman's Advisory Council.

Mr. Haas, a senior financial advisor who has an office in Southbury, qualified for the council based on performance and client service.

For more information, call Mr. Haas at 203-262-8005.

Rachel Urbanowski, a graduate of the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut based in New Milford, has been named a Stew Leonard's Super Star Employee of the Month for her outstanding work ethic and cake decorating skills.

She has been employed at Stew's since graduating seven months ago.

Barbara Branagan-Mitchell, owner and director of Branagan Communications Consultants LLC in New Milford, has been named to the board of directors for the Audubon Center at Bent of the River in Southbury.

The Audubon Center at Bent of the River is a private, not-for-profit organization that protects more than 700 acres of numerous natural ecosystems, habitats, un-fragmented forest, grasslands, meadows, swamps and a portion of the Pomperaug River.

The Business Buzz is a Spectrum feature for local businesses to announce openings, anniversaries, personnel changes and other news. Information should be mailed or dropped off at The Greater New Milford Spectrum, 45B Main St., New Milford, CT 06776; faxed to 860-350-6794; or emailed to drose@newstimes.com.