February 15, 2019

Recycling/Trash for Monday, February 18th - 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

February 20, 2019 - Budget Advisory Cte. Meeting - 6:00 PM

February 20, 2019 - School Cte. Meeting @ RCS - 600 PM

RICHMOND ELECTION SCHEDULE - 2019

Warrant for Citizen Petitions Closes                        March 4, 2019

Town Caucus at Town Hall                                      March 25, 2019

Last Day to Obtain Nomination Papers                   March 27, 2019

Last Day to Submit Nomination papers                   March 29, 2019

Last Day to Object or Withdraw Papers                  April 15, 2019

Last Day to Register to Vote                                   April 25, 2019

Last Day to Post Warrant                                        May 8, 2019

Annual Town Meeting at the School                        May 15, 2019

Annual Town Election                                              May 18, 2019

Richmond Volunteer Opportunity

The Town is seeking 3 residents willing and interested in serving on a newly forming Investment Advisory Committee . This committee will advise the Treasurer and Finance Committee on matters related to the investment of our public funds. This includes ensuring prudent management and competitive returns for our Stabilization and Trust Fund investments.

Preference will be given to those with a financial background, but all are welcome to apply. Please send an email of interest to:  [email protected]



This Sign Could Save Your Life...!!!

Every minute counts in an emergency, so please help us find your house quickly. Custom 911 signs can be purchased by calling Chief Traver at 413-329-7153. The cost is now $20.00 for a custom sign. You can also install your own numbers if you would prefer, but please make sure they are at least 3" in height and in a prominent place. Please help us help you!!!

A NOTE FROM CHIEF TRAVER

There are a number of 911 Emergency Plaques in Town Hall that were ordered many months ago and never picked up. If you ordered one of these and your house number is: 160, 1834, 471 or 256 please arrange to have it picked up and paid for.

A message From our New Richmond Consolidated School Principal, Ms. Jill Pompi

Hello Richmond Community Members,

As the recently appointed Interim Principal at Richmond Consolidated School, I have developed an entry plan that outlines key activities that will allow me the chance to learn as much as possible about RCS. In order to generate new success, it is crucial that I learn as much about the school and community as I can from students, families, community members and staff.

Becoming informed from all those who make up RCS will allow me to develop a deep and broad understanding beyond my own past experiences. I have begun a "listening tour" in the school and have created two surveys to glean as much information as possible in the most efficient way. Attached to this email is the community survey. If you could take a few minutes to complete the survey before February 6, it will inform our future work.

Additionally, if it is easier, paper copies of this survey will be available at Town Hall on January 31. Link to the survey: https://goo.gl/forms/3JVb4bdr6wzK8evI2   

SCROLL DOWN FOR A SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT FIREARMS PERMITS

A RECITAL of AMERICAN MUSIC for TROMBONE by RONALD BARRON , Retired PRINCIPAL TROMBONIST - BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

SPONSORED BY: RICHMOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

and supported in part by a grant from the RICHMOND CULTURAL COUNCIL,

a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

DATE: MARCH 3, 2019 - TIME: 3 P.M.

LOCATION: RICHMOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

1515 State Road-Route 41, RICHMOND, MA 01254

COST: Tickets not required but donations accepted on behalf of the

EMERGENCY FUEL ASSISTANCE FUND

Checks should be written to Richmond Congregational Church, with memo to

Fuel Assistance Fund.

CONTACT: Ronald Barron at: [email protected] or 413-698-2801

Ronald Barron presents his sixth annual recital of American music for trombone. Mr. Barron will be assisted by LARRY WALLACH, piano; ALLAN DEAN, cornet; DAVID FIELDS, BAILEY FORFA, percussion; and JOHN SUTERS, bass.

Hello Richmond School Community!

Last Spring, I signed up RCS to participate in the "Crayola Colorcycle" Program (see links for more information). I gave some classrooms labeled cans to collect dried up markers, put one can in the staff room, and made more cans available for those willing to keep one in their classroom. 

I am hoping to send out a box over the February break. If you have any dried up markers (any brand or kind is accepted), please get them to me by 3:00 p.m. this Friday, 2/15/19 . I will send out another box at the end of the school year too, so if you miss this date, please continue to send them in for recycling. Thanks for helping us to recycle old markers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oufI_8IM1dA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlkxMvw9iHQ

Michelle Smith, Preschool Teacher, Richmond Consolidated School

Join the Richmond Consolidated School's PTA and Grades 7 & 8 at Thistle and Mirth

Friday, March 8th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM - fun and food at Thistle and Mirth, 44 West Street in Pittsfield.

Purchase delicious food and the restaurant will donate all beverage proceeds to the kids to get them to Philadelphia. There will be "Paint-Your-Own Pint Glass" events and Trivia with Prizes valued at over $200.

The Richmond Library is Offering a New “ Made in the Berkshires!” Basket Containing:

Blue Q tote bag (Pittsfield); Wildflower Honey

(W. Stockbridge); Fire Cider (Pittsfield);

Baldwin’s Worcestershire Sauce (W. Stockbridge);

Granola (Great Barrington); Baldwin’s Vanilla Extract

(W. Stockbridge); “Berkshire” coaster; Baldwin’s Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar (W. Stockbridge)

2 boxes of Crane stationery (Dalton); Baldwin’s Walnut Russe (W. Stockbridge)

Stop by soon and fill out a ticket! They're free. One chance per person per visit.

Thanks! and Good Luck!

Save on Your Eversource Bills

Income eligible residents can automatically save 32% on their Eversource bills, and your application is completely confidential.

For more information see the income chart and please call BCAC at 413-445-4503.

For a larger image of the income chart - see our page on Facebook.

Attention Photographers 

Do you have a recent photo of Richmond to show off? If so, your photo could be highlighted on the cover of our 2018 Town Report which will be printed in the Spring of 2019. Please send photos for consideration to Mark Pruhenski/Town Administrator, at: [email protected] no later than March 1 ^st . 

The selected photo will be printed on our Town Report cover with a photo credit, and will also be used on our website and in our marketing materials this coming year.  By submitting your photograph, you grant permission for the Town to use the picture on its website, social media, or other publications, marketing materials, or visual displays. Photographs should not include a watermark.

Richmond Free Public Library presents

"Great-Granny McWilliams' Spring Tonic" Workshop 

Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM

Got Spring Fever? Then, join us at the library on Saturday, March 2nd and learn about simple spring tonics form Mother Earth's pantry, featuring the wild edibles of spring. Sample a variety of tonic recipes and concoct a "Great-Granny McWilliams' Spring Tonic". Learn how New England colonists looked forward to foraging for wild greens that appeared under the melting snow.  

Mother and daughter duo, Velya Jancz-Urband and Ehris Urban, are the founders of the Grounded Goodwife (groundedgoodwife.com) and they teach a variety of historical/herbal workshops.  

Call the library at 698-3834 for more information and to reserve your spot - your body will thank you!  

Film Discussion Group at the Library

Film Club meets the second Thursday at every month for discussion. Watch the featured movie of the month on your own and any other suggested movies with the same subject or theme. Richmond Library will have some copies available through inter-library loan. Most can be found on Netflix or Prime Video. Themes in the future will include Mother/daughter relationships, Redemption, Foreign animated films, Classical music and opera in movies.

For the March 14 ^th meeting:

Subject: Redemption. Featured Movie: Seabiscuit

Other movies to watch:

Shawshank Redemption

Schindler’s List

Cider House Rules

QUICK LINKS TO THE WEBSITE

Office Hours



Board of Assessors: Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Wednesdays 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Conservation Commission Agent: Wednesdays 9:30 - 12:00 N

Always call for an appointment - 413-698-0044

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

Useful Links



Volunteer Opportunities

OPENINGS ON COUNCILS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:

The Board of Registrars has an opening for a new member.

The Council on Aging is in need of a new member.

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is looking for two (2) new members to serve as alternates. 

 

The Affordable Housing Committee is short two members, specifically those with a background in Construction or Law. 

 

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE YOUR TOWN:

 

Field Driver and additional volunteers to assist in the occasional round-up of livestock when a local farmer is in need. 

 

Transportation Rep . This volunteer position would require attendance at quarterly meetings to represent the town's interests and work closely with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the positions listed above, please contact the Town Administrator, Mr. Mark Pruhenski at 413-698-3882 or via email at [email protected]

Please note when you receive your tax bill due for 02/01/2019 there will be two “Remit Copy” Coupons with this bill. One will be clearly marked for the payment due on 02/01/2019 and the other will be clearly marked for the payment due on 05/01/2019. The top third of the bill is a summary of taxes, the middle third of the bill is the “Remit Copy” coupon for the 05/01/2019 payment, and the bottom third of the bill is the “Remit Copy” coupon for the 02/01/2019 payment. The next set of bills will not be mailed out until late June of 2019 and will also include two “Remit Copy” Coupons. One will be clearly marked for the payment due on 08/01/2019 and the other will be clearly marked for the payment due on 11/01/2019.

 

Sewer users, please note that a quarterly bill will continue to be mailed for each quarter due until the conversion process is completed, in which the sewer betterment bills will follow the same schedule as real estate and personal property tax bills. Sewer operation and maintenance bills will continue to be mailed out in late March of each year being due on May 1 ^st  of each year.

 

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 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.