Council has spent the last several meetings wrapping up old business before we change seats with the incoming council. The swearing in ceremony is scheduled for December 3rd at 6:00. The existing council will give final statements and finalize minutes then the new council will be seated. I look forward to renewing my commitment to the town.
After a request from the property owner and a recommendation from the Planning Board, Council approved a zoning change for 8 Richmond Townhouse Road (Chariho Furniture). Although this business has been operating here for many years, it was zoned as Residential. It has now been changed to General Business. We also approved a change to the property’s designation within the Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use Map from Medium Density Residential to General Business.
ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act funds needed to be committed by the end of the calendar year. We have until the end of 2026 to spend it. At our October 1st meeting we discussed the prior allocations that came in for less than expected and what we can do with what’s left. Council regained some funds from various items under budgeted. Which will be spent on some maintenance to town hall, new roof and paint, which would alleviate the need to put these in the budget under the Capital Improvements. We approved the bids for these projects and there is one bid outstanding. For a complete list the American Rescue Plan Act allocations go to: https://richmondri.com/133/Finance
The Richmond Water line recently went through some maintenance which caused the water to be under a boil advisory for an extended period of time. This was precautionary just in case contamination occurred during the maintenance. I understand the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience. The precautionary boil advisory has since been lifted.Council recently approved the connection of Little Beginnings Daycare in Hopkinton to the Waterline. This is will help the daycare expand and provide much needed childcare in our area. If you are on the waterline and have not yet taken this survey, please do: https://tr.ee/WstEkSF-1n
Municipal Court – With the election behind us, town staff is going forward with establishing a Municipal Court. As mentioned in a public meeting, they were (understandably) waiting to ensure the court would not be abolished after the election. This was a goal of the Richmond Republican Town Committee. I emailed the town administrator after the election to ask if she needed anything from council to continue and receive the response that she did not and will go forward.
