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January 25, 2019
Reminders
Recycling/Trash for Monday, January 28th - Paper
Please place trash and recyclables in an easily accessible location by 7:00 AM. Contact the hauler directly at 442-8390 with questions or concerns. Please note: the trucks used are dual functioning. Trash and recyclables are collected together but placed in separate compartments within the truck.
Upcoming Meetings
What's New in Richmond?
IMPORTANT REMINDERS - NOTICES!
This Sign Could Save Your Life...!!!
Every minute counts in an emergency, so please help us find your house quickly. Custom 911 signs can be purchased by calling Chief Traver at 413-531-8837. The cost is now $20.00 for a custom sign. You can also install your own numbers if you would prefer, but please make sure they are at least 3" in height and in a prominent place. Please help us help you!!!


RCAP Solutions Announces Private Well Assessment Program - Free to Local Homeowners
For a free, on-site, professional review of your well head and the recharge area and to determine your well's maintenance needs, contact Jim Starbard at 978-502-0227 or email jstarbard@recapsolutions.org to schedule a consultation. For additional information go to privatewellclass.org.

RCAP Sollutions, Inc. will compile and assess the kind of well you have and how it was constructed; how water gets into your well and from what source, which will help you understand how to protect your groundwater source and well from outside influences.
This free service does not include water sampling or testing.


Need Food and/or Fuel Assistance?
You may be eligible for financial assistance from your friends and neighbors right here in Richmond. Contact the Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) at 413-445-4503 or visit their website at https://bcacinc.org/ . All correspondence is strictly confidential.
 
Please Note : Persons in Richmond eligible for fuel assistance are also eligible for food assistance through the South Congregational Church Food Pantry located at the rear of the building at 110 South Street in Pittsfield.
SCROLL DOWN FOR A SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT FIREARMS PERMITS





Save on Your Eversource Bills
Income eligible residents can automatically save 32% on their Eversource bills, and your application is completely confidential.

For more information see the income chart and please call BCAC at 413-445-4503.

For a larger image of the income chart - see our page on Facebook.
Attention Photographers 
Do you have a recent photo of Richmond to show off? If so, your photo could be highlighted on the cover of our 2018 Town Report which will be printed in the Spring of 2019. Please send photos for consideration to Mark Pruhenski/Town Administrator, at: townadmin@richmondma.org no later than March 1 st. 

The selected photo will be printed on our Town Report cover with a photo credit, and will also be used on our website and in our marketing materials this coming year.  By submitting your photograph, you grant permission for the Town to use the picture on its website, social media, or other publications, marketing materials, or visual displays. Photographs should not include a watermark.


Third Annual Richmond Consolidated School Winter Carnival
**The first 20 students can choose a prize!**

January 25th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the RCS Gym and Cafeteria. There will be rock-climbing, uni-cycling, tumbling, ping-pong, dodgeball, crafts and many other family-friendly activities.
 
Cost is $5.00 per person or a maximum of $20.00 per family, which includes all activities. Dinner will be available for purchase in the cafeteria and there is a bake sale for dessert!
 
All proceeds will go to sending the 7th and 8th graders to Philadelphia. Come dressed comfortably so you can join in all of the events.


Richmond Free Public Library presents
"Great-Granny McWilliams' Spring Tonic" Workshop 
Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM

Got Spring Fever? Then, join us at the library on Saturday, March 2nd and learn about simple spring tonics form Mother Earth's pantry, featuring the wild edibles of spring. Sample a variety of tonic recipes and concoct a "Great-Granny McWilliams' Spring Tonic". Learn how New England colonists looked forward to foraging for wild greens that appeared under the melting snow.  

Mother and daughter duo, Velya Jancz-Urband and Ehris Urban, are the founders of the Grounded Goodwife (groundedgoodwife.com) and they teach a variety of historical/herbal workshops.  

Call the library at 698-3834 for more information and to reserve your spot - your body will thank you!  


Film Discussion Group at the Library
Film Club meets the second Thursday at every month for discussion. Watch the featured movie of the month on your own and any other suggested movies with the same subject or theme. Richmond Library will have some copies available through inter-library loan. Most can be found on Netflix or Prime Video. Themes in the future will include Mother/daughter relationships, Redemption, Foreign animated films, Classical music and opera in movies.

For the February 14 th meeting:
Subject: Mother/Daughter Relationships - Featured Movie: Lady Bird (2017)
Other movies to watch:
I, Tonya (2017), Mommie, Dearest (1981), Mildred Pierce


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Helpful Resources
QUICK LINKS TO THE WEBSITE
Office Hours

Board of Assessors: Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesdays 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Conservation Commission Agent: Wednesdays 9:30 - 12:00 N
Always call for an appointment - 413-698-0044

Board of Health: Wednesdays 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Building & Zoning: 1st, 2nd, 4th Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:00 AM

Board of Assessors: Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesdays 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Council on Aging: Mon -Thurs, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Town Clerk: Mon & Wed 4:30 - 7:00 PM, Sat 8:00 - 11:00 AM
Useful Links

  • Info about Burning Permits can be found HERE.

  • Town of Richmond taxes can be paid online HERE.

  • Apply for building, gas or plumbing permits HERE.

  • We're here to help! Contact Town Hall staff HERE.
Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities

OPENINGS ON COUNCILS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:

Due to a recent resignation from a resident that has relocated, the Planning Board has an opening and is looking for applicants.

The Board of Registrars has an opening for a new member.

The Council on Aging is in need of a new member.

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is looking for two (2) new members to serve as alternates. 
 
The Affordable Housing Committee is short two members, specifically those with a background in Construction or Law. 
 
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE YOUR TOWN:
 
Field Driver and additional volunteers to assist in the occasional round-up of livestock when a local farmer is in need. 
 
Transportation Rep . This volunteer position would require attendance at quarterly meetings to represent the town's interests and work closely with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the positions listed above, please contact the Town Administrator, Mr. Mark Pruhenski at 413-698-3882 or via email at townadmin@richmondma.org
Events & Announcements
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Richmond Consolidated School
Follow this link to read about some exciting changes for Richmond Consolidated School. If you are interested in receiving the school's weekly newsletter and other updates please sign up here.
Council on Aging
The Council on Aging has increased the suggested cost per ride for its van service and clarified the extent of the area our vans will cover. Ride fees are, as always, suggested. Click HERE for rate schedule and policies.

I F YOU NEED A RIDE - PLEASE CALL 698-3656. GIVE US A WEEK'S NOTICE, TELL US WHEN AND WHERE AND WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT SERVICE .
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Exercise Classes with Christine Faber
Mon.-3:30 PM @ Richmond Cong. Church - Yoga
Wed.-3:30 PM @ Richmond Cons. School - Tai Chi
Thurs.-11:15 AM @ Town Hall - Osteo Exercise
Fri.-3:30 PM @ Town Hall - Line Dance
Want to join? Sign up with Christine at 413-243-2497
Police Department - Firearms Permits
Effective during the Chief's absence, from November 10, 2018 through April 15, 2019, all applications for new and renewals of LTC's and FID's will be handled and processed by Tracy Dunn. Appointments can be made by calling Tracy at 413-884-2820.

Your completed application and a check or money order made payable to the Town of Richmond must be submitted at the time of your appointment.

Chief William Bullett will be available for questions at 413-698-2691 or 413-822-5971. Download application here .
Community Health Association
The Community Health Association offers Blood Pressure Screenings every Thursday from 9-10 AM at the Congregational Church. No appointment needed. For more information contact Emilie Jarrett , RN: 232-0122.
Richmond Free Public Library
The Richmond Free Public Library offers many museum passes for around the Berkshire area. The passes admit anywhere from 2-4 people per pass for free or discounted admittance. Learn more here.
From the Tax Collector
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 Real estate, personal property, and sewer betterment bills for the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 will be mailed on December 28, 2018. The third quarter bill is due on February 1, 2019 and covers the period January 1 through March 31, 2019. Payments that are not received by that date are subject to late payment interest.
 
Interest begins to accrue immediately following February 1st and is charged at the annual rate of 14%. Please contact the Tax Collector for the amount that is due after February 1st.
 
Please ensure any payment made through a third party, such as a bank, clearly shows the bill year (2019), the bill number and the type of bill. If paying the bill directly, please include the “ Remit Copy” with your payment. Payments received without a reference as to the year, tax type or bill number will be returned. 
Please note when you receive your tax bill due for 02/01/2019 there will be two “Remit Copy” Coupons with this bill. One will be clearly marked for the payment due on 02/01/2019 and the other will be clearly marked for the payment due on 05/01/2019. The top third of the bill is a summary of taxes, the middle third of the bill is the “Remit Copy” coupon for the 05/01/2019 payment, and the bottom third of the bill is the “Remit Copy” coupon for the 02/01/2019 payment. The next set of bills will not be mailed out until late June of 2019 and will also include two “Remit Copy” Coupons. One will be clearly marked for the payment due on 08/01/2019 and the other will be clearly marked for the payment due on 11/01/2019.
 
Sewer users, please note that a quarterly bill will continue to be mailed for each quarter due until the conversion process is completed, in which the sewer betterment bills will follow the same schedule as real estate and personal property tax bills. Sewer operation and maintenance bills will continue to be mailed out in late March of each year being due on May 1 st  of each year.
 
Initial, demand and warranted motor vehicle excise tax bills have been mailed based on several 'commitments to collect' issued to Richmond by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Please do not ignore these bills! Significant fees and interest can accumulate on bills not paid by the due date.
 
Motor vehicle excise tax bills that have been warranted now need to be paid through the Deputy Collector's Office. The Deputy Collector, Arthur P. Jones, can be reached at (413) 527-2388 or online at  www.apjones.com .  
Around Town
Richmond Reads
A free parent/child playgroup for children up to age 5 meets on Thursdays from 9:30 - 10:30AM in the School Library. Activities include circle time with stories, felt board and songs, and table top time with manipulatives and crafts. For information contact Jessica Maloney , South Berkshire Kids Program Coordinator, at 413-464-5095.
Need Food or Fuel Assistance?
You may be eligible for financial assistance from your friends and neighbors right here in town. Contact the Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) at 413-445-4503 or visit their website. All correspondence is strictly confidential.
 
Please Note: Persons in Richmond eligible for emergency fuel assistance are also eligible for food assistance through the South Congregational Church Food Pantry located at the rear of the building at 110 South Street in Pittsfield. Pantry hours are: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 - 11AM and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 6PM.