(WATERBURY, CT) – As part of ongoing efforts to transform Waterbury into a vibrant city center, the Waterbury Probate Court has relocated from 49 Leavenworth Street to a larger, modern facility at 21 West Main Street on the fourth floor of One Exchange Place.

The renovated Exchange Place complex has been described as a signature downtown asset and a key component in the city's plans for revitalizing the historic downtown and central business district.

The Honorable Matthew P. Vaccarelli, Probate Judge of the Waterbury Probate Court, said he and the court staff are thrilled to be in such a “state of the art” space. “This facility is absolutely phenomenal,” Judge Vaccarelli said.

Judge Vaccarelli said the court’s new hearing room helps create a proper sense of formality for their proceedings. “It has greatly enhanced my ability to control the tenor and flow of hearings as well as properly create the enhanced level of respect for the Probate system we all deserve,” he said.

Judge Vaccarelli shared that the Waterbury Probate Court's new space has been designed with the formality needed for a court proceeding but also to foster an environment of sensitivity and awareness of sometimes conflictual family dynamics.

Waterbury Probate Chief Clerk Tracy Biolo praised the court staff for their dedication throughout the entire moving process, all while continuing to serve the public. “Preparing and packing for the move took the staff several months, but the move itself took only two days,” Biolo said. “Staff stepped up and truly worked hard to make this move happen.”

Judge Vaccarelli thanked current Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernereski, Jr. and former Mayor Neil M. O’Leary as well as the Office of the Probate Court Administrator for making the move happen. “We couldn’t be more excited about being able to provide the citizens of Waterbury and Wolcott with a more pleasant environment and the ability to service the public in a more efficient manner,” he said.

The new address of the Waterbury Probate Court (PD-20) is One Exchange Place, fourth floor, 21 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702. The court is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The court can be reached by phone at the same number, which is (203) 755-1127.

Like all of Connecticut’s 54 Probate Courts and six Regional Children’s Probate Courts, the Waterbury Probate Court works with families during times of need, providing services that include:

• Assisting older adults who need extra care to age in place in their own homes, instead of in a nursing facility

• Supervising the care and finances of individuals who need the assistance of a conservator

• Supporting individuals with intellectual disability to live in the community, rather than an institutional setting

• Keeping children in familiar surroundings, under the care of family and friend guardians, instead of being placed into foster care.

Connecticut’s Probate Courts save taxpayers more than $2 billion each year by avoiding more costly state services. For more information about Connecticut’s Probate Courts, please visit ctprobate.gov