Town of Richmond
News from Town Hall
February 24, 2017
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes in Richmond???
Although you may not notice it, a great deal of work is happening behind the scenes here at Town Hall.
We just completed two very important weatherization projects here at Town Hall and at our Highway Garage. This included insulating the walls and roofs, weather-stripping the windows, doors, and garage bays, and sealing all of our windows. All of this work was paid for from our Green Communities Grant, and makes us eligible for an additional $68,000 in funding to continue energy saving projects like this in our other buildings. LED lighting upgrades are also being installed as I write this, expanding on our efforts to make our town buildings as efficient as possible. We expect these efforts will save us thousands of dollars in energy costs in the coming years!
Our IT infrastructure just took a giant leap forward as well. We just completed the installation of our new server, replacing a 12-year-old server that was no longer adequate for our needs. The upgrade included the replacement of our workstations as well, and now our critical data, including our financial information, is being backed up on-site, and in two off-site locations. Our computers are now networked, and we have reduced our printer/copiers from 11 units to just 2. This is expected to save us thousands of dollars in copying costs, toner, replacement parts, and service in the coming years, as well as improving work-flow efficiency.
Our Emergency Management and Fire Department also just received an additional $2,500 grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to replace their outdated computer, and we will be purchasing and installing that very soon.
Thank you to all of the staff here in Richmond for helping us make these improvements possible!!
THE RICHMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY!
We are offering reproduction vintage postcards with 12 different views of our town. A packet of 12 is available for $10.00 – or a single viewfor $1.00For choice of scenes please see the poster at the Richmond Free Public Library or log on to https://www.facebook.com/townofrichmondma/
For more information or to purchase these postcards please call Virginia Larkin at 698-2881. Great to send to your out-of-town friends and/or enjoy adding to your Richmond souvenir collection. Thank you!
A New Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary For the Berkshires!..Right Here In Richmond:
http://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/land-conservation/success-stories/a-new-wildlife-sanctuary-for-the-berkshires!#.WKN-oB0HwRQ.facebook
Recycling/Trash
Recycling for Monday, February 27th 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 contacting 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.
“How to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Common Household Items and Dispose of Household Hazardous Materials”
A booklet, available on the Town Website Home Page, www.richmondma.org answers all your questions.
If you have any questions about recycling, please visit our website at www.springfieldmrf.org,
Town Census: (DUE FEBRUARY 28TH)
The annual Census was mailed to every home in Richmond.Please remember to return those to Town Hall no later than February 28th. Forms can be mailed back to: Town Clerk, 1529 State Road Richmond MA 01254,they can be dropped off in person at Town Hall, or in the after-hours drop-box to the right of the front door at Town Hall.
Thank you!
Dog Licenses (DUE MARCH 31ST)
Dog license reminders were also sent to every home in Richmond with the Census form. All dog licenses from the 2016/17 year will expire on March 31st. To avoid late fees, please renew your 2017/18 license(s) before they expire.
Please also remember that if your dog’s rabies vaccination expires prior to March 31, 2016, you will need to provide an updated rabies vaccination certificate from your veterinarian. Those can be faxed anytime to: 413-698-3272
Richmond Congregational Church
and the
Richmond Cultural Council
Are sponsoring a recital of American Music for Trombone by Ronald Barron, retired principal trombonist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Sunday, March 12, 2017 – 3:00 PM at the Richmond Congregational Church, 1515 State Road (Rte. 41), Richmond, MA.
Tickets are not required, but donations for the Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund would be gratefully accepted.
Write checks to the Richmond Congregational Church, and specify that the funds are earmarked for the Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund in order to earn a tax deduction.
Council on Aging News
COA Director
Phyllis’ office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday- 9:00 AM– 3:30 PM. She can be reached at 698-3656 or at .
ONGOING CLASSES:
Exercise Classes with Christine Faber:
Mondays—3:30 PM @ Richmond Cong. Church—Yoga
Wednesdays—3:30 PM @ School—Tai Chi
Thursdays—11:15 AM @ Town Hall— Osteo Exercise
Fridays—3:30 PM @ Town Hall—Line Dance
Want to join? Sign up with Christine at 413-243-2497 or
Thursday, March 9th--12:00 Noon
Lunch & Learn—Fire Safety at Home
St. Patrick’s Church Parish Hall
Rte. 41- West Stockbridge
The Richmond and West Stockbridge COA’s present the March Lunch & Learn:
Peter Skorput, West Stockbridge Fire Chief (ret.), will lend his expertise to advise us how to make your home safe from fire and, in the event a fire does occur, tips on how to quickly get yourself and your loved ones out of the building and to safety.
As always, a catered lunch will precede the presentation, which will begin at approximately 12:30. Please contact either John Zick,
Director of the West Stockbridge COA at 413-232-0137 or via email at or Phyllis LeBeau, 413-698-3656 or via email at to reserve your space.
A $10.00 fee will be collected at the door to cover the costs.
Meals on Wheels
The Elder Services of Berkshire County "Meals on Wheels" menu for February is available on line at www.esbci.org/mow/current.pdf
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 at 413-445-4503 or visit their website at https://bcacinc.org/. All correspondence is strictly confidential.
Note to Donors:
Donations to the Food & Fuel Fund when donated to the Richmond Congregational Church and earmarked for the fundare tax deductible.
To make a donation, contact Holly Stover at 698-2673.
Richmond Consolidated School
Follow this link to read about some exciting changes for Richmond Consolidated School
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/richmond-consolidated-sees-big-changes-with-improved-arts-tech-and-foreign-languages,498807
School Newsletter
If you are interested in receiving the school’s weekly newsletter and other updates please contact Natalie Gingras at and ask her to add you to the distribution list or access the website at http://www.rcscares.org/news-letter/.
HELP WANTED – VOLUNTEER EMTs/FIREFIGHTERS
The Town needs more volunteer EMT’s and/or Firefighters from Richmond or bordering communities. If you are interested, or know someone that is, please call us today! No experience is necessary, we will train you. You will be joining a great group of experienced volunteers of all ages and skill levels. Call Chief Traver today at 413-531-8837 or EMT applicants can call Brian at 413-212-2112.
Vacancies on Town Boards
The Town is seeking applicants interested in filling the following board/committee vacancies: Affordable Housing Committee is seeking two new members, the Agricultural Commission, and the Sewer Advisory Committee, each of which are still seeking one additional member. We also have an opening for the Town’s Field Driver, which is a volunteer position.
Anyone interested in serving in any of these capacities should contact Mark Pruhenski, Town Administrator, at 698-3882 or by email at .
WEEKLY TOWN HALL NEWSLETTER BY MAIL
In order to accommodate those residents of Richmond who do not have computers, Town Hall is thinking of doing a limited mailing of its weekly Newsletter to them. If you, or someone you know, cannot access the newsletter any other way than by regular mail, please send your request with the name and address and phone number to:
Mark Pruhenski, Town Administrator, Town Hall, 1529 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254
From the Tax Collector
Payment of the third quarter real estate, personal property and sewer betterment bills for fiscal year 2017 were due February 1, 2017. Payments received after February 1st are subject to late payment interest. Any unpaid interest will show on the next bill, which will be mailed late March, 2017 with a due date of May 1, 2017.
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Bills are due March 3, 2017. Payments received after March 3rd are subject to late payment interest, as well as the possibility of demand fees and warrant charges.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles controls the names and addresses on motor vehicle excise tax bills. The Town cannot change this information on your behalf; that must be done by the taxpayer with the Registry.
ALL requests for (i) address changes for real estate, personal property and sewer bills and (ii) abatements should be sent directly to the Board of Assessors at Richmond’s Town Hall, not to the Collector.
Richmond Police Department
FID Cards
Application forms for FID cards are located on the Richmond website – www.richmondma.org. Click on Town Departments, Police Department – FID Permit Application Form appears at the bottom of the page. Fill out completely, following instructions on the form, and submit to Town Hall.
Information on renewing/applying for an FID card can be obtained by contacting Chief William Bullett, Richmond Police Department at 698-2691.
The Community Health Association Hea
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
Richmond Free Public Library
Tuesdays-10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Thursdays-10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Saturdays-10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Programs at the Library:
Donation of Children’s Books
The library is again accepting donations of children’s books
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:
Meetings/Office Hours at Town Hall
Wednesday, March 1st – Annual Town Meeting Warrant Closes
Wednesday, March 1st - 9:30 – 11:00 AM – Zoning Office Hours
https://www.facebook.com/townofrichmondma/