Northern Berkshire Neighbors Looking for Leaders

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Outreach worker Aldona Adams is looking for leaders to represent  Mill Street, Hall Street, Maple Street and Linden Street for a recently formed neighborhood organization in the Mill Village Historic District.

The Northern Berkshire Neighbors Program, through the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, recently formed the neighborhood organization, training area outreach workers to help neighborhoods and neighbors come together and learn about area social services and events.

The next neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m., at the Williamstown Youth Center, 270 Cole Ave. Lauren Gaherty from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and Williamstown Selectwoman Jane Allen will speak about the prospective bike path that will lead through this neighborhood and surrounding areas. Adams also is looking for ideas that may help beautify the neighborhood, and seeks ideas for fun summer activities.

For more information, contact Aldona Adams at 413-458-0320 or aldonaadams@yahoo.com. For other Coalition information, visit www.nbccoalition.org.

HooRWA to Hold Annual Meeting

The Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) will hold its annual meeting next Tuesday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at MCLA Gallery 51, 51 Main St., North Adams.

There will be a presentation detailing various options for re-designing the river’s flood chutes in North Adams, prepared by Williams College students as part of an environmental planning class in Fall 2009. Their ideas range from relatively simple changes in the course of the river to a complex re-design of the chutes similar to what has been done in other cities across the country.

The students' ideas coincide with the efforts of the Hoosic River Revival and HooRWA to develop a plan to enhance the river and provide for recreational opportunities and potential economic development with flood chute modifications that still maintain the ability to control floods. The Revival plans to hold a community-wide meeting in early summer to help draft a plan for possible flood chute modifications and river improvements.

HooRWA members and the public are invited. Members will re-elect HooRWA directors, and there will be a brief business meeting after the presentation. Contact HooRWA at 413-458-2742 for more information, or visit hoorwa.org.   

Richmond Cultural Council Seeks Community Input

RICHMOND, Mass. — The Richmond Cultural Council is seeking the community’s input on how to best steer the funding it receives from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Local Council Program. To that end, the town has created a brief survey for residents to fill out, available at www.richmondma.org, the Town Hall and the library.

Richmond's Cultural Council distributes annual funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council via an annual grant process where organizations and individuals submit proposals for projects that will provide cultural opportunities for residents. It reviews these proposals and awards funding to those that best advance the goal of advancing community cultural programming.

Established in 1982, the Massachusetts Local Cultural Council Program distributes more than $1.95 million each year to fund cultural activities in all 351 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. According to its Web site, it awarded $4,000 to Richmond in fiscal year 2010.

Milne Library Offers Patrons Amnesty

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Got a library book that's long overdue? Have you avoided stepping foot inside the library, fearing reprimand, or a hefty fine? If you borrowed that book (or other items) from the David and Joyce Milne library, you can breathe a sigh of relief. In celebration of National Library Week, the library is granting a fine-free week for all overdue materials.

The amnesty week runs from Monday, April 12 through Saturday, April 17, and is for overdue items returned that week only. Existing older fines do not apply and fines from other libraries cannot be waived.

This weekend might be a good time to start looking under cushions, check your bookshelves, and empty your kids' backpacks.

Also of note: The library will be closed to celebrate Patriot’s Day on Monday, April 19.

Nominees for Richmond Town Election

RICHMOND, Mass. — Residents who attended the Town Caucus on March 22 nominated the following people to the ballot in the town's upcoming election, to be held Saturday, May 29:
 
One Selectman for Three Years: Marguerite Rawson*

One Member of the Board of Health for Three Years: Dean Fulco*

One Member of the Board of Health for Three Years: Diane Pero*

One Member of the Board of Health for Two Years (vacant seat): Eric Melle

One Member of the School Committee for Three Years: Christine Triantos*

One Member of the Finance Committee for Three Years: John Mason*

One Member of the Finance Committee for Three Years: Diane Pero*

One Member of the Planning Board for Five Years: John Hanson*

One Member of the Library Trustees for Three Years: Adeline Ellis*

One Moderator for One Year: John Whitney*

*Indicates Incumbent