Photo by Fern Gitter

June 8th, 2018

Have you heard? Richmond has a new website! We invite you to check it out at www.richmondma.org . Our aim has been to improve usability and access to important information for our residents, businesses and visitors. Let us know what you think!

Visit our new website

Resources & Reminders

QUICK LINKS Departments Calendar Richmond Consolidated School Richmond Library Richmond Pond Assoc. Richmond Land Trust Town GIS Mapping Voter Registration Meals on Wheels current menu Food/Fuel Assistance MA Govt.

Recycling/Trash for Monday, June 11th: Cans, Bottles, Plastics & Other   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 June 11th - Municipal Building Committee Meeting - 5:30 PM June 12th - Conservation Commission Meeting - 7:00 PM June 12th - School Committee Meeting - 6:00 PM June 13th - Board of Selectmen Meeting - 6:00 PM June 13th - Board of Assessors Meeting - 5:00 PM June 14th - Library Trustee Meeting - 5:00 PM June 14th - Long Range Planning Committee - 6:00 PM View Full Calendar Office Hours Board of Assessors: Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Wednesdays 1:00 - 4:00 PM 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 Helpful 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 The Town is in need of a Field Driver and additional volunteers to assist in the occasional round-up of livestock when a local farmer is in need. Please contact our Town Administrator at 698-3882.   A Transportation Rep is needed. This volunteer position would require attendance at quarterly meetings to represent the town's interests and work closely with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Please contact our Town Administrator at 698-3882.

Events

2018 Mini Site Collections Wednesday, June 20th: 4PM - 6:30PM @ Great Barrington Recycling Center PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING POLICIES: ACCEPTABLE ITEMS:  Used motor oil, oil-based paints, spray paint, turpentine, stains, thinners (no latex-water based). UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS: Latex or water-based paint/stains, paint brushes/rags, medical waste, asbestos, fireworks & explosives, ammunition, gas cylinders, smoke detectors, radioactive material, fire extinguishers, empty aerosol cans, PCB's.

Announcements

Berkshire County Mosquito Control A new procedure is in effect: if a resident wishes not to have their area sprayed for mosquitoes, they must make a request through the Dept. of Agricultural Resources. There are some residents, particularly beekeepers, who wish to opt out of spraying.  To decline mosquito control measures , go to Pesticide Exclusions Application. Homeowners who have too many mosquitoes can request pesticide application. Mosquitoes are considered a nuisance when three to five land on a person within a minute. To request spraying of personal property , call (413) 447-9808 or email berkmc@bcn.net.

Town Reports Have Arrived You can pick up a copy during regular Town Hall hours, or download an electronic version here.

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.

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 - FID Cards 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 Bullet is 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

Real estate, personal property, sewer betterment, and sewer operation and maintenance bills for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 were mailed March 29, 2018. The fourth quarter bill is due on May 1, 2018 and covers the period April 1 through June 30, 2018. Payments that are not received by that date are subject to late payment interest. Interest begins to accrue immediately following May 1st and is charged at the annual rate of 14%. Please contact the Tax Collector for the amount that is due after May 1st.

Please ensure any payment made through a third party, such as a bank, clearly shows the bill year (2018), the bill number and the type of bill. If paying the bill directly, please include the 'collector's copy' of the bill with your payment. Payments received without a reference as to the year, tax type or bill number will be returned.    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

Concert: "Raising the Roof" The Richmond Congregational Church i s holding a Concert to raise funds to repair the roof on Saturday, June 16th at 7:00 PM at the church. Ron Barron, Linda Worster, Marjorie Dix, Renee Harvitt, Doug Schmolze and Mark Kelso among many others will provide the music. Donations will be greatly appreciated.

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.