February 19, 2021
Reminders
Recycling for Monday, February 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

Wed., February 24, 2021 - Board of Selectmen - 6:00 PM
via Zoom


With the potential of three more snow storms next week we would like to take this time to remind everyone about the Winter Parking Ban.
Parking Ban is in effect November 1st through April 1st. No parking on any roadways is permitted to allow for adequate snow removal.

While we agree that the scenery during and right after the snowstorms is quite beautiful, we ask that you do not drive out to park on the roads to take a walk. This is very dangerous and makes it very difficult for the Town to clear the roadways.

Please review the Town's snow removal guidelines to better understand what gets done before, during, and after a snowstorm.
Announcements
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 :
Feb 17, 2021, Wednesday, 6:00 PM
March 11, 2021, Thursday, 6:00 PM.
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.
COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 vaccination clinics opened on February 1 for those 75 years of age and older.

Individuals 65 and over are now eligible:
Individuals 65 and over, including residents and staff of low income and affordable public and private senior housing are eligible to receive vaccine effective February 18th. Visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccine
 
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.
 
Individuals that are unable to access appointments via the internet can call 211 and follow the prompts for vaccine appointments.
 
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
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! 
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
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!

TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of e-books for children. There are over 250 animated, talking picture books! The site also features Spanish and French books, read-along chapter books, non-fiction books, and exciting games and puzzles!
Below is all the information you’ll need to login to the collection:

username: richmondfree
password: libra
bookstore-merchant-lady.jpg
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/
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
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.