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March 20, 2021
Reminders
Recycling for Monday, March 22nd: Paper and Cardboard: 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. Please click here to see the 2021 calendar or you can pick them up at the Post Office, or Town Hall
QUICK LINKS


Upcoming Meetings


Mon., March 22, 2021 - 6:00 PM - Town Caucus****

Tues., March 23, 2021 - 5:30 PM - Building Cte. Zoom

Wed., March 24, 2021 - 4:30 PM Budget Advisory Cte. Zoom

Wed., March 24, 2021 - 6:00 PM - Board of Selectmen Mtg. Zoom

****Town Caucus****
Caucus will be held at Richmond Consolidated School
We ask that you come a little early for registration and be sure to wear your masks
A list of those up for reelection can be found here
The Town of Richmond has been updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan with an extended focus on climate resilience.

A summary of the results were presented at a recent online meeting, and the report is available here along with a recording of that meeting at the link here .

We hope you will take a moment to review the final report and provide your comments at this link. The comment form will be available until April 10, and all feedback will be captured in the final HMP-MVP report.

Announcements
Richmond Scholarships
Applications for the Richmond Scholarships are available now at Bartlett's Orchard, Town Hall, Richmond Library, Richmond Post Office and Patricia Malnati's home on State Rd. 

One application qualifies applicants for 8 scholarships. Application is open to any student expecting to be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in September.
NOTICE FROM THE TOWN CLERK

Applications for dog licenses for 2021 are due in to Town Hall now. The deadline is March 31st, after which a $10.00 late fee will be added to the cost. Licenses for dogs that are neutered or spayed cost $5.00 each. Unaltered dog licenses are $10.00 each.

Each dog being licensed must have documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccination, obtainable from your vet's office.

The form to request a license is available on the website. Click Here
BUILDING COMMITTEE INVITATION

The Town of Richmond is working to develop a new Town Hall, Library and Community Room. Public presentations have been scheduled to share information about the project.  Included below is the Zoom link and meeting info as well as the dates of the four upcoming meetings.

Tell your friends! Invite your neighbors! Hope to see you on Zoom at one of these sessions.

Questions can be sent to MBC@richmondma.org

The Public meetings that are currently scheduled :
March 20, 2021, Saturday, 10:00 AM
April 17, 2021, Saturday, 10:00 AM

Join the Zoom Meeting

Or go to zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 895 9852 3347
Passcode: P-Three

Or call in with the following number:
 +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 895 9852 3347
Passcode: 7626878
This meeting will also be available on Facebook; watch it live at
RECYCLE BINS
The new supply of trash recycling bins are here at Town Hall. If you are a new resident of Richmond your first bin is free. All subsequent bins will cost $12.50 each.

Come to Town Hall - ring the bell by the front door (press hard or we won't hear it) and just request the number of bins you want. Please have a check made out to "Town of Richmond" in the correct amount.

Click Here to find burning permits on the bottom of the Fire Dept. page of the Town Website.
UPDATE ON COVID-19 Information
LATEST UPDATE ON REGISTRATION FOR VACCINES

A small subset of individuals who preregistered over the past few days will receive notification via their preferred method (phone, email, text) tomorrow morning with information about scheduling an appointment at one of the seven mass vaccination sites. All notified individuals will have 24 hours from time of notification to book their appointment. 
  • Individuals who receive notification via text or email are able to book their appointment with a unique link. 
  • Individuals who receive the phone notification (identified as the Commonwealth of MA), will be advised to call 2-1-1 to schedule their appointment. If the person misses the call, a voicemail will be left. If a voicemail is not set up or the mailbox is full, if the missed call number is returned, it will send the person directly to 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 representatives will be able to search for the individuals by their name and other identifying information. 
  • Individuals ages 75 and older who need to also book an appointment for their companion, should also call 2-1-1 to schedule both appointments once they are notified they are eligible to book an appointment.
Please note, if an individual does not schedule the appointment within the 24 hours or are offered a day/time that does not work for them, they will be placed back into the preregistration queue. 

Timeline for Remaining Groups:
  • March 22nd Residents 60+ and certain workers
  • April 5th - Residents 55+ and those with one certain medical condition
  • April 19th - General Public ages 16 years and older
The full timeline is available at mass.gov/COVIDVaccinePhases

Vaccine Locations and Preregistration:
This is the newly initiated Preregistration System. More details can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-locations
More sites will be added to the preregistration system in the coming weeks. Preregistration will replace the current online booking platforms for mass vaccination sites. The COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line will be available to help residents without internet access or with difficulty using the internet with the preregistration process.
More information on vaccine sites can be found at: vaxfinder.mass.gov
 
The preregistration tool will be available at mass.gov/COVIDvaccine.  After completing the form, residents will get a confirmation via text, e-mail or phone and receive a weekly update about their status. Residents may opt out of their preregistration at any time if they secure an appointment elsewhere.
 
When an appointment becomes available, the resident will be notified and will have 24 hours to accept the appointment. After 24 hours, the resident will go back into the queue to wait for another appointment.
 
To accommodate older residents and others who are unable to use the form, the preregistration form allows family members, caregivers or others to fill out the form. Residents who do not have internet access or someone to fill the form out for them can call 2-1-1 to preregister.

K-12 Educators, Child Care Workers and K-12 School Staff Eligible for Vaccine Appointments Starting March 11th 
Educators may book appointments at all 170 sites currently open to eligible residents in Massachusetts by visiting www.mass.gov/covidvaccinemap. 

Individuals 65 and over are eligible:
Individuals 65 and over, including residents and staff of low income and affordable public and private senior housing are eligible to receive the vaccine. Visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccine

Eligibility has been expanded to include caregivers who assist and accompany seniors to a vaccination site. The caregiver should have an appointment on that day at that site to receive their vaccine. The best place to look is at getvaccinatedberkshires.org where advanced notice of open appointments is available.
 
Residents and staff of low income and affordable public and private senior housing can learn more about vaccination options here.
 
Individuals with 2+ Certain Medical Conditions also eligible now:
Individuals 16 and older with two or more certain medical conditions (defined below) are eligible for vaccine, effective February 18th.
 
Phase 2 eligible conditions:
  • Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Down Syndrome
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
  • Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Smoking
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
 

Registration is Required
Details for booking can be found via the COVID-19 Vaccine Finder, which enables residents to search for a vaccination location and view appointment availability before scheduling. The tool can be accessed via the state’s vaccination website at www.mass.gov/COVIDvaccine or directly at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov.
 
Certain Local Councils on Aging Can Help
Councils on Aging available to assist older adults (and others) without internet access register for COVID vaccine clinics.

Williamstown - 413-458-8250
Adams - 413-743-8333 
North Adams - 413-662-3125
Sheffield - 413-229-7037
Pittsfield - 413-499-9346
Great Barrington - 413-528-1881
Lee - 413-243-5545
Dalton - 413-684-2000
Lenox - (413) 637-4787
SOURCES OF ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE COVID-19 VIRUS

BERKSHIRE HEALTH SYSTEMS HAS ESTABLISHED A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19). IT IS OPEN FROM FROM 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM PM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK .
CALL 855-BMC-LINK, OR 855-262-5465.
 
More information is available on the Berkshire Health Systems website:: https://www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/body.cfm?id=4261&fr=true
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also provides daily updates on Massachusetts-specific information and resources at: www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has helpful information at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
RICHMOND LIBRARY
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THE LIBRARY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BY APPOINTMENT!

Some safety measures: Only one family may use the children's area and only four patrons will be in the building at one time.

Call 413-555-7795 for a 30 minute appointment.

All returned items are quarantined for one week and disinfected. You might, therefore, see items on your record for up to a week after you have returned them.

Don’t forget that WIFI is available in the Library parking lot and Virtual Zoom Meeting tutorials are being offered by the Library! If you would like to learn how to participate in an online Zoom meeting, please call the library and schedule a telephone appointment with a volunteer. 413-553-7795   
____________________________________________________________________

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR WOWBRARY
WOWbrary.org is an e-mail sent every Wednesday that lists all the new items added to the library's collection in the last week.
  1. Search online for Wowbrary.org
  2. Enter your Zip code: 01254
  3. Select Richmond Free Public Library
  4. Enter your email address in the box
  5. Re-enter your email address in the second box
  6. Type in the random letters you see above the third box
  7. Click "Submit."
You will receive an email with a link which you must activate. Emails should begin to arrive within a week.

If you would like to read an online magazine, just go to https://cwmars.overdrive.com/collection/184768 . You will need to sign in using your library card number. If you don’t know the number, please call the library.

Library patrons have free access to Tumble Books, Tumble Math, TeenBookCloud, AudioBookCloud and RomanceBookCloud. You can access these databases by going to the Richmond Free Public Library website. http://www.richmondfreepubliclibrary.org/
 
The Boston Public Library has a lot to offer and you qualify because you live in Massachusetts! Interested, click here, https://www.bpl.org/online-resources/

You can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard here: https://www.bpl.org/ecard/
On Thursday, March 25th at 4:00 PM, A Lively World Series
(in memory of Milton Bass) will present “A Geologist’s Perspective on Global Climate Change” with Dr. Donald T. Rodbell. Former Richmond resident, Dr. Rodbell, will share his 35 years of research in the tropical Andes Mountains. This illustrated talk is hosted by Ruth Bass and Kathryn Wilson will facilitate the Zoom meeting.

Kathryn Wilson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Richmond Library Lively World talk on Climate Change
Time: Mar 25, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 828 0124 8285
Passcode: 471681 
Read for Seeds
The library is now facilitating a "Read for Seeds" for all ages. Reading Logs are available at the Library and the library will give seeds to everyone who returns their completed logs between April 6th and May 1st. 

In connection with our Read for Seeds reading program, The Friends of the Richmond Library have created a gardening give-away basket raffle. To enter the raffle, simply visit the library and our staff will enter your name. All are welcome to participate! 
Tumble Book Library
The Richmond Free Public Library has a subscription to TumbleBookLibrary, and children can access it from home! It’s unlimited, and it’s FREE!

username: richmondfree
password: libra
CALL FOR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS
TO THE BUILDING FUND

Donations to the new library/town hall building fund can be sent to the Richmond Library. Checks should be made out to Friends of the Richmond Library and please mark your check — Building Fund. 

If you wish to make a "promise" to donate money after the May bond issue vote, then you may send that information to the Friends group as well. 

Richmond Free Public Library
2821 State Road 
Richmond, MA 01254
Attn: Friends of the Library
(413)553-7795
Richmond Consolidated School
Richmond Consolidated School is Now Registering
Preschool and Kindergarten students for the 2021-2022 school year. District policy states that children must be 5 years old as of Sept. 1, 2021, to enter Kindergarten. Children who are 3 years old as of Sept.1, 2021 are eligible to attend our Preschool program based on a lottery system. 

Parents or guardians of eligible children should call the school office at 413-698-2207 for more information. Preschool and Kindergarten screenings and orientation will be held at a later date: information will follow.
 
If you suspect your child may have special needs and is three years old or older, please call the Special Education Director, Mary Shook, at 413-698-4001. to schedule an evaluation.
Living In Richmond
Police Department - Firearms Permits
During the Chief's absence from November 5 - April 15, all LTC and FID applications will be processed by Tracy Dunn.

Call for an appointment (413) 884-2820. Your completed application and a check or money order payable to the Town of Richmond are due at your appointment.

Chief Bullett will still be available during this time if you have any questions..(413) 698-2691 or (413) 822-5971
NOTICE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF

Massachusetts General Law requires that all homes have 911 signs with the correct street address number posted at the end of the driveway and on the building. Call Fire Chief Steve Traver at 413-329-7153 to arrange for a sign. Signs cost $20.00 each.
Council on Aging - Transportation Program
We're back in business - Call if you need a ride
If you need a ride, please call (413) 553-7793. Give us a week's notice, tell us when and where you need to go, and we will provide you with that service. Click HERE for rate schedule and policies.
Useful Links
Please make sure you are registered for code red

Click the link to the left to be taken through the step-by-step process of creating an account.

If you don't have access to a computer call the Town hall and we will help.