Recycling for Monday, April 9th will
be paper.
Please place your trash and recyclables in a location that is easily accessible for the hauler to collect. Also, please have your trash and recycling out by 7:00 AM to ensure that it is collected
. If, for some reason it is not collected, the hauler encourages you to contact them directly at 442-8390 rather than calling Town Hall.
In addition, please be aware that the trucks used by the hauler are dual functioning trucks in that trash and recyclables are collected together but placed in separate compartments within the truck.
WHAT'S NEW IN RICHMOND?
"Baby" Town Meeting Saturday, May 5th - 10:00 a.m. at Town Hall:
A Public Question & Answer session about the 2018 warrant vote and town elections. Sponsored annually by the Richmond Civic Association. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.
HELP WANTED: Richmond Pond Boat Ramp Monitors
:
Seasonal part-time position, running from June 4th - September 8th. Available shifts 6:00 AM - 12:00 Noon and 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM.
Duties include greeting the public; ascertaining that boats entering the water are not carrying zebra mussels or other invasive species; keeping a daily activity log; and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and safety on the ramp and in adjoining areas.
Candidates with flexible and available weekend hours, prior or similar experience, access to a motor vehicle, and CPR/first aid certifications are preferred. Training is provided. For more information, contact Matthew Palardy at mpalardy@berkshire.rr.com.
Richmond Free Public Library:
11 a.m., Saturday April 7, Richmond native Amy Bass will talk about her book, "One Goal: A Coach, a Team and the Game That Brought a Divided Town Together."
Author and historian, Amy Bass is a professor of history at the College of New Rochelle and writes for various publications, including Slate, Salon and CNN Opinion. She is the daughter of Ruth Bass and the late Milton Bass and will be the eighth speaker in the Lively World Series created in memory of her father. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
RICHMOND'S ANNUAL PING PONG TOURNAMENT
: Sunday, April 8th, 2018,
Registration 5:00 PM - Games Begin at 6:00 PM at Richmond Consolidated School Gym
$5.00 or $15.00 for Families - Play for all ages
Pizza and Refreshments available
Manufactured Home Commission Open Meeting:
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Pittsfield Council on Aging, 330 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, ยงยง 18-25, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the MANUFACTURED HOME COMMISSION.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Section 108, establishes the Manufactured Homes Commission.
It is the mission of the Manufactured Homes Commission to provide prompt, impartial service to all parties affected by or concerned with matters pertaining to manufactured housing communities, to the maximum extent permitted by law
MASSBAR ASSOCIATION OFFERING FREE LEGAL ADVICE:
O
n Thursday, April 12th the MassBar Association is offering free legal advice through their "Dial-A-Lawyer" program. From 4:00 - 7:00 PM that day ONLY you can dial (413) 782-1659 to be put in touch with a lawyer who can answer your questions.
The Board of Health's newly adopted Smoke-Free Regulations HAVE GONE into effect as of April 1, 2018:
This new regulation bans smoking in town parks, town buildings, town-owned vehicles, in cemeteries, and at the town beach/boat ramp. Violations range from a warning to $300 per day/offense. The full-version of the new regulation can be found on the Town's website at www.richmondma.org.
The Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company:
will begin excavating portions of its pipeline near Sleepy Hollow Road and Steven's Glen Road in the coming weeks for routine maintenance within its existing right-of-way.
The work is expected to occur between April 2, 2018 and June 15, 2018. Abutters can expect to receive a written notification by mail.
For questions related to this work, please contact the Gas Company directly. The 24-hour toll free number is 1-800-781-4152
Volunteer Opportunities:
The Town is still 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.
If you or someone you know is interested in being on a call-list to serve when the need arises, please contact our Town Administrator at 698-3882, or townadmin@richmondma.org
The Town is also in need of a representative interested in local transportation
: This position would require attendance at quarterly meetings to represent the town's interests and would work closely with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.
If you or someone you know is interested in serving in this capacity, please contact our Town Administrator at 698-3882, or townadmin@richmondma.org
Application forms for the various Richmond scholarships:
are available at the post office, library, Town Hall and Bartlett's Orchards, as well as at high school guidance offices. One application covers eight scholarships: The Anita Chapman, Joyce Spence, William and Hazel Dickson, Sarah MacDonald, Mildred Wheeler, Volunteer Fire Department/Malnati Family, George Kingsley, and Harold Kingsley.
Applicants must be year-round residents of Richmond and may be graduating seniors or college students. Applications should be sent to Patricia Malnati, State Road, by May 1.
Census and dog license renewals have been mailed out. Please return your census as soon as possible, whether or not any changes need to be made.
Also, dog licenses renewed after April 1st will incur a $5.00 late fee.
MEETINGS/OFFICE HOURS AT TOWN HALL
Tuesday, April 10th - Board of Assessors Hours - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, April 10th - Richmond Consolidated School Cte. Meeting - 6:00 PM - RCS Conference Room
Tuesday, April 10th - Conservation Commission Meeting - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 11th - Board of Health Agent Hours - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday, April 11th - Building & Zoning Hours - 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, April 11th - Board of Assessors Hours - 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, April 11th - Board of Assessors Meeting - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, April 11th - Board of Selectmen Meeting - 6:00 PM
Other Dates of Importance:
Tuesday, May 8th - Last Day to Post Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Wednesday, May 16th - Annual Town Meeting at School - 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 19th - Town Elections - 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM at Town Hall
The Community Health Association
Weekly Blood Pressure Clinics
The Community Health Association offers Blood Pressure Screenings every Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 AM at the Congregational Church. No appointment needed.
For more information contact Emilie Jarrett, RN: 413-232-0122 or via email at Emilie@charws.com.
Council on Aging News
COA Director
NEW OFFICE HOURS
:
Monday - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS:
Emily Jarrett, RN of the Community Health Association, has provided me with an excellent one-page checklist to prepare for a possible winter storm. Following the instructions in the checklist will go a long way to assuring your safety and comfort in the event there is a major storm this winter.
Call me at 413-698-3656 or email me at
coa@richmondma.org
to request a free copy of the checklist.
COUNCIL ON AGING TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
T
he 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:
Any town in Berkshire County
Suggested Fee Per Ride: $5.00
Rides Outside of Berkshire County:
Northampton - Cooley Dickenson Hospital or the Veteran's Hospital
Suggested Fee Per Ride: $10:00
West Springfield - Specialist Office
Suggested Fee Per Ride: $10:00
Springfield - Baystate Medical Center
Suggested Fee Per Ride: $15:00
Albany - Albany Medical Center
Suggested Fee Per Ride: $10:00
The Council on Aging is not able to provide rides to and from destinations outside of the acceptable distances listed above. Our drivers are volunteers, not paid for their time, it would, therefore, be unacceptable to ask them to devote an entire day to a ride taking 2-1/2 or more hours each way.
For transportation outside of our acceptable area, it is suggested that private arrangements be made with friends and family. Alternatively, you can contact the ambulance companies and arrange transportation with them - very often the cost of such rides is covered by medical insurance.
Exercise Classes with Christine Faber:
Mon.-3:30 PM @ Richmond Cong. Church-Yoga
Wed.-3:30 PM @ School-Tai Chi
Thurs.-11:15 AM @ Town Hall- Osteo Exercise
Fri.-3:30 PM @ Town Hall-Line Dance
Meals on Wheels
The Elder Services of Berkshire County "Meals on Wheels" menu for April
is available on line at
www.esbci.org/mow/current.pdf
and on the COA bulletin board at Town Hall.
Need Food and/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 at https://bcacinc.org/. All correspondence is strictly confidential.
New Federal Fuel Assistance Income Limits for Fiscal Year 2017:
Household Size Gross Annual Income
1 $34,001.
2 $44.463.
3 $54,925.
4 $65,387.
5 $75,849.
6 $86,311.
7 $88.272.
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 - 11:00 AM and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 6:00 PM.
Richmond Consolidated School
Follow this link to read about some exciting changes for Richmond Consolidated School
School Newsletter
Richmond Reads
A free parent/child playgroup for children up to age 5 meets Thursdays from 9:30 -10:30 AM 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, By phone 413-464-5095 or by email: southberkshirekids@gmail.com
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 insure 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.
Richmond Police Department
FID Cards
Effective during my absence from November 15, 2017 through April 15, 2018, all applications for new and renewed LTC's and FID's will be processed by Tracy Dunn. Appointments can be made by calling Tracy at 413-884-2820.
Application forms are located on the Richmond website - www.richmondma.org. Go to Town Departments, scroll down to Police Department, click on that, which will take you to the page. The FID permit application form appears at the bottom of that page.
A reminder that the completed application and a check or money order made payable to the Town of Richmond must be submitted at the time of the appointment.
Chief William Bullet will be available via telephone during this time for questions regarding the application at 413-698-2691 or 413-822-5971.
Richmond Free Public Library
LIBRARY HOURS:
Tuesdays and Thursdays:
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturdays:
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Programs at the Library:
Donation of Children's Books
The library is again accepting donations of children's books
