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August 6, 2021
Announcements
Recycling for Monday, August 9th: Paper and Cardboard
Recycling for Monday, August 16th: 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. Please click here to see the 2021 calendar or you can pick them up at the Post Office, or Town Hall


There will be door to door campaign on education materials on Saturday 8/7/2021 in the Richmond area he is a college student from Kansas who is traveling throughout Berkshire County. He is driving a silver Pontiac Grand Prix.

QUICK LINKS
Upcoming Meetings

Mon. August 9, 2021 - Planning Board - 6:30 PM

Tues. August 10, 2021 - Finance Cte. - 4:30 PM
Tues. August 10, 2021 - Richmond School Cte. - 6:00 PM
Tues. August 10, 2021 - Cons. Comm. - 7:00 PM

Wed. August 11, 2021 - Board of Assessors - 4:00 PM
Wed. August 11, 20221 - Board of Selectmen - 6:00 PM
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URGENTLY SEEKING VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

The Combined Richmond/West Stockbridge Council on Aging is in need of volunteer drivers in order to continue to provide an essential service to our seniors. We are particularly in need of drivers willing to take on an ongoing weekly ride. Although exercise classes are now resuming after the threat of the COVID virus has waned, some of our seniors are unable to take advantage of them as they cannot get to the venues and these classes are of tremendous value to the health and well-being of our elders.

If you have a good driving record and are looking for a way to contribute to your town, please call Phyllis at 413-441-1106 or email at coa@richmondma.org.

P.S. Drivers who are Richmond residents receive senior tax-write-off benefits in return for their time.
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THE COMBINED RICHMOND AND WEST STOCKBRIDGE COUNCILS ON AGING
Are bringing back the August Picnic!

Friday, August 20, 2021 at Noon. At the Fire Dept. Pavilion across from the Post Office.

Call 413-441-1106 or email at coa@richmondma.org to reserve your spot. Please let us know how many in your party and if you will be bringing a dish to share so we can plan accordingly..
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!
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THE COUNCIL ON AGING
EXERCISE CLASSES ARE BACK!

Monday Yoga—3:15 - 4:30 PM at the Church
Wednesday Tai Chi—3:30 - 4:30 PM at the Church
Thursday Weights—11:15 AM - 12:15 PM at Town Hall
Friday Line Dance—3:30 - 4:30 PM at Town Hall

Call Christine at 413-243-2497 or email her at rfaber9@msn.com to sign up.
COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Weekly Blood Pressure Clinic Schedule:
Every Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 AM at the Town Offices, 21 State Line Road, West Stockbridge.
 
Every Thursday from 9:00-10:00 AM at the
Richmond Congregational Church, State Road, Richmond.

Info: Emilie Jarrett RN, 413-232-0122 or
UPDATE ON COVID-19 Information
THE LATEST FROM THE GOVERNOR!
More reasons to get vaccinated - As if you needed them

MASSACHUSETTS VAXMILLIONS GIVEAWAY
Win $1 Million or a College Scholarship. Get vaccinated - you can't play if you aren't vaccinated! Registration begins Thursday, July 1, 2021. For more information and Giveaway rules, click here - massachusetts-vaxmillions-giveaway
The FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program: Any COVID-19 related death that occurred after January 20, 2020 is eligible for assistance with expenses up to $9,000 per funeral, or a maximum of $35,000 for assistance related to more than one death.

RESOURCE: We’ve created a webpage with more information about the program, links to FEMA guidance, fact sheets in multiple languages, and information about obtaining or amending a death certificate in Massachusetts: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
UPDATE ON COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS
COVID-19 activity is on the rise in our community. The highly contagious delta variant is the prevalent strain of COVID-19 across the country right now and is likely the strain present here in the Berkshires.

In response, Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) would like to share several updates on changes that we have made to our policies to help limit further spread in our community. Please see below for more information about each policy and several reminders of the opportunities available to you for testing and vaccination.
Please contact 1-855-BMC-LINK (1-855-262-5465) to speak with a trained healthcare professional about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, or vaccination.
New Masking Policy
Effective Wednesday, August 4, BHS is requiring all patients and visitors entering a BHS facility to wear a new medical-grade mask issued by BHS. This mask order has been mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
By distributing new masks, we can be confident that the masks of all patients and visitors have not degraded or been soiled or compromised. Masks will be issued at the entries to all inpatient and outpatient facilities and will also be available at the front desks of our BHS practices.
New Visitation Policy
Effective Wednesday, August 4, visitation will be limited to one healthy visitor per patient at both BMC and Fairview Hospital in adult medical/surgical units and in pediatrics. (This is a reduction from the two visitors that had been allowed previously.)
No changes are being made to visiting hours, which continue to run from 12pm to 8pm daily in the adult medical surgical units and from 2pm to 8pm in the Critical Care and Progressive Care units.
Please visit this link to view the current visitation policy.https://tinyurl.com/VisitationUpdate-2021-08-04
Vaccination Reminder
The vaccines are designed to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19. Breakthrough infections are extremely rare among people who have been vaccinated; however, if a vaccinated person does test positive for COVID-19, their symptoms are typically mild or moderate. We encourage anyone who has not been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help prevent the delta variant from taking hold in our community.
Vaccines are available at the following BHS locations:
Pittsfield COVID-19 Testing Center 
505 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Sunday-Saturday, 8:30am-7:30pm. (Between 4pm and 7:30pm, vaccines are administered at Urgent Care.)
North Adams COVID-19 Testing Center
98 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Sunday-Saturday, 8:30am-4:00pm
Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington
29 Lewis Avenue, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm
Walk-ins are welcome at all vaccination locations. Learn more at https://www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/vaccination-information.
Testing Reminder
Testing is available every day of the week at the following BHS locations:
Pittsfield COVID-19 Testing Center 
505 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Sunday-Saturday, 8:30am-4:00pm
North Adams COVID-19 Testing Center
98 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Sunday-Saturday, 8:30am-4:00pm
Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington
475 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Sunday-Saturday, 8:00am-12:00pm
Please remember, you must schedule an appointment for a test. 
Call 1-855-BMC-LINK or schedule your appointment directly through the BHS Patient Portal. Turnaround time for tests is typically 24-36 hours. Learn more at https://www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/covid-19-testing-centers.

RICHMOND LIBRARY
THE LIBRARY IS NOW OPEN REGULAR
(pre-Covid) HOURS

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 – 7:00
Saturdays 9:00 – 2:00

Don’t forget that WIFI is available in the Library parking lot.    

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HOW TO SIGN UP FOR WOWBRARY
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.
 
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/
Ancestry Library Edition
The Richmond Library is once again offering patrons access to Ancestry.com. Patrons can use their devices or use a library computer to search their family history. For a limited time, Richmond patrons can access Ancestry remotely using their Richmond Library card and password. 

Go to http://www.richmondfreepubliclibrary.org/ancestry.php and click on AncestryLibrary at the bottom of the page. Then type in your library card number and password/pin. If you don’t know your card number or password, please call the library. 
Berkshire Basket Raffle
Thanks to the Friends of the Richmond Library, the library is holding another give-away basket raffle. To enter the raffle, simply visit the library! The Berkshire Basket includes: a one size fits all poncho from TP Saddleblanket, a one size fits all fleece robe from Pine Cone Hill, a $15.00 Gift Certificate to Six Depot, a $15.00 Gift Certificate to Bartlett’s Apple Orchard, A table runner and a jar of honey from Weatherfish Farm.
The Richmond Free Public Library
Offers museum passes for local museums available on a first come, first serve basis. Patrons may not reserve the passes. (The only exception to this rule is during the Hancock Shaker Village Baby Animal Days.) 

The passes admit anywhere from 2-4 people per pass for free or discounted admittance. They are due back the next open library day by 9:30 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by 9:00 AM on Saturdays. 

Pass letters are given out for specific days and aren't reusable. Currently we have passes or letters for the following museums: Arrowhead, The Berkshire Botanical Garden, The Berkshire Museum, Chesterwood, The Clark, Hancock Shaker Village, Mass MoCA, The Mount and the Norman Rockwell Museum and The Trustees sites including Naumkeag and the Mission House and a pass to the Bidwell House Museum and to the Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio.
Please call the library for more information.  
Kristin Smith, Director, Richmond Free Public Library
2821 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254
PH. (413) 553-7795
South Berkshire Kids is excited to announce
…Hello Berkshire Baby!!
South Berkshire Kids has created a free baby literacy bag filled with board books and resources for parents of babies who were born in the past year. The literacy bags are available at the Richmond Library. Please call the library to pick up a bag for your little one!
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Tumble Book Library
The Richmond Free Public Library has a subscription to TumbleBookLibrary, and children can access it from home by going to the Richmond Free Public Library website: http://www.richmondfreepubiclibrary.org ! It’s unlimited, and it’s FREE!

username: richmondfree
password: libra
Donate to Help Build our New Town Building 
with a New Home for the Library!
 
We met the match! Promises of $50,000 were received and we earned the full $50,000 match! Thank you so much to everyone who has given or promised.
 
Help us continue to grow the amount we will contribute to the new home for our Richmond Library!
 
Gifts are tax deductible. Checks to fulfill promises should be submitted by October. New contributions are welcome and needed! Your checks should be made out to Friends of the Richmond Library and please mark your check — Building Fund send it to:
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
Please call Chief Bullett at 413-698-2691 or 413-822-5971 to make an appointment. You will need a completed application and a check payable to the Town of Richmond at the time of your appointment.

Download application here.
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.