richmond record, august, 2012

12
By Stevan Patterson Did you hear the one about the guy who applied for a special permit to re- build his milking barn and built a second home on his property instead? Or the resident who received a building per- mit to remodel his kitchen and then started removing his roof to build a sec- ond story? The one to top the others, however, was the person who received a special permit to add a second story and was caught adding a third story. These three instances are some of the more difficult issues the Richmond Zon- ing Board of Appeals has had to wrestle with in recent months. For example, in the past there was little communication between the ZBA and the building in- spector. Once the ZBA approved a peti- tion for a special permit, the applicant would submit building plans to the building inspector to get a building per- mit. No one checked to see if the build- ing plans submitted to the building in- spector matched what the ZBA had approved. Now, the ZBA signs the ap- proved building plans or drawings, and the building inspector receives a signed copy. Also, in the past, approvals were filed by property owner name, by year, and by each individual inspector RICHMOND RECORD Conservationist Retires Holly Stover Leaves Legacy Continued on page 9 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Guest Editorial Francis A. Bartlett ..................................Page 2 It’s About the Horses New Neighbor – Part Two..................Page 3 Pond Care 101 Annual Public Assoc. Meeting ........Page 4 Dust Begone Calcium Chloride to the Rescue .....Page 5 Welcome Dr. Barbara Ripa New Superintendent For School Disctrict ..............................Page 7 Save the Date Sept. 15 th Evolution of the Pie Social .............Page 11 Community Calendar .......................Page 12 Can You Top This? Scofflaws and the ZBA V olume X, No. 4 Richmond, Massachusetts August 2012 By Ann Larkin Holly Stover of East Road, the voice and arm of the Conservation Commis- sion for the last 23 years, officially re- tired on June 30 th of this year. Throughout her distinguished career she has used her considerable energy and intelligence to protect Richmond’s pre- cious rural character from those who would profit from destroying it. This sense of civic responsibility was instilled in Holly from an early age. Her father, Arthur Howard, owned a well re- spected hardware and farm store in Pittsfield, and was involved in many civic endeavors. He was responsible for the planning of the town beach and, with financial help from the late Darwin Morse, bought land from the railroad on which the present beach is located. He was also a member of the Shade Tree Committee in Pittsfield and a member of the Sewer Commission in Lenox. In 1925 he planted apple trees on his land that is now Bartlett’s Orchard. It was called Howard’s Orchard then and was just a barn tucked back in the orchard where people could buy apples. Holly’s tenure as chair of the Conser- vation Commission began rather abruptly. She had been a member for just a short time when the current chair- man resigned and Holly was chosen to replace him. At the time, and for many years after, Holly was also working the night shift at Hillcrest Hospital’s criti- cal care unit. Photo by Dorothea Greene Holly Stover Continued on page 6

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Richmond Record, August, 2012

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Richmond Record, August, 2012

By Stevan Patterson

Did you hear the one about the guywho applied for a special permit to re-build his milking barn and built a secondhome on his property instead? Or theresident who received a building per-mit to remodel his kitchen and thenstarted removing his roof to build a sec-ond story? The one to top the others,however, was the person who received aspecial permit to add a second story andwas caught adding a third story.

These three instances are some of themore difficult issues the Richmond Zon-ing Board of Appeals has had to wrestle

with in recent months. For example, inthe past there was little communicationbetween the ZBA and the building in-spector. Once the ZBA approved a peti-tion for a special permit, the applicantwould submit building plans to thebuilding inspector to get a building per-mit. No one checked to see if the build-ing plans submitted to the building in-spector matched what the ZBA hadapproved. Now, the ZBA signs the ap-proved building plans or drawings, andthe building inspector receives a signedcopy. Also, in the past, approvals werefiled by property owner name, by year,and by each individual inspector

RRIICCHHMMOONNDD RREECCOORRDD

Conservationist Retires

Holly Stover Leaves Legacy

Continued on page 9

INSIDE THIS ISSUEGuest EditorialFrancis A. Bartlett ..................................Page 2

It’s About the HorsesNew Neighbor – Part Two..................Page 3

Pond Care 101Annual Public Assoc. Meeting ........Page 4

Dust BegoneCalcium Chloride to the Rescue .....Page 5

Welcome Dr. Barbara RipaNew Superintendent For School Disctrict..............................Page 7

Save the Date Sept. 15th

Evolution of the Pie Social .............Page 11

Community Calendar .......................Page 12

Can You Top This?

Scofflaws and the ZBA

Volume X, No. 4 Richmond, Massachusetts August 2012

By Ann Larkin

Holly Stover of East Road, the voiceand arm of the Conservation Commis-sion for the last 23 years, officially re-

tired on June 30th of this year.Throughout her distinguished career shehas used her considerable energy andintelligence to protect Richmond’s pre-cious rural character from those whowould profit from destroying it.

This sense of civic responsibility wasinstilled in Holly from an early age. Herfather, Arthur Howard, owned a well re-spected hardware and farm store inPittsfield, and was involved in manycivic endeavors. He was responsible forthe planning of the town beach and,with financial help from the late DarwinMorse, bought land from the railroad on

which the present beach is located. Hewas also a member of the Shade TreeCommittee in Pittsfield and a memberof the Sewer Commission in Lenox. In1925 he planted apple trees on his landthat is now Bartlett’s Orchard. It wascalled Howard’s Orchard then and wasjust a barn tucked back in the orchardwhere people could buy apples.

Holly’s tenure as chair of the Conser-vation Commission began ratherabruptly. She had been a member forjust a short time when the current chair-man resigned and Holly was chosen toreplace him. At the time, and for manyyears after, Holly was also working thenight shift at Hillcrest Hospital’s criti-cal care unit.

Photo by Dorothea Greene

Holly Stover Continued on page 6

Page 2: Richmond Record, August, 2012

By Ruth Bass

Fran Bartlett came to Richmond at theage of 18, new owner of a 52-acre appleorchard on Yokun Road.  He had pur-chased the farm from Holly Stover’s fa-ther, Arthur Howard, and three years lat-er brought his bride, Betty, to Richmond,where they made their home in a smallhouse amid the apple trees.

The early years were well occupiedwith the births of three children – Linda,Richard and Ronald – and the care of thenew business, which included a small re-tail stand on Swamp Road, a stand thathas been renovated into headquarters forpresent-day pick-your-own.    But theyoung couple soon branched out into thecommunity and gave in many ways formore than 50 years.

Getting people to volunteer for things

in the 21st century is an iffy business.  ButFran considered it part of living here.  De-spite the fact that growing apples was ademanding business, he made time forRichmond and even after he was nolonger a town officer, he remained con-cerned about town affairs.  As an elect-

ed official, he proved a good listener withlittle tolerance for petty antics, plus theability to take stands and make deci-sions.   

He was a Selectman from 1966 to1969, serving at a time when housing de-velopments were being built in Rich-mond, bringing 36 building permits in1967 and 42 in 1968, huge numbers bytoday’s standards.  It was also whenpreparations were made for opening of

the town beach.

He went off the board but returned in1972.  When the Board of Health wasseparated from the Board of Selectmen,he ran for that office and served a num-ber of years.  During that period, regu-lar testing of water quality began at Rich-mond Pond, when rubbish disposalswitched from the landfill to roadside col-lection and when many hours were spentinspecting septic field sites for newhousing.

But the contributions went beyondelected office.  Fran and Betty wereamong the financial supporters of thepublication of Katharine HuntingtonAnnin’s history of Richmond and of theRichmond Performance Series, whichpresented chamber music at the Rich-mond Congregational Church.    

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 2

Richmond RecordA monthly newspaper

published in Richmond, MAPublisher – Ann Larkin

Editor – Linda Morse

Treasurer – Roy Jones

Advertising – Roy Jones

Circulation – Irene Jones

Photo Image Editor – Virginia Larkin

Production – Dorothea Greene

Phone (413) 698-2543

Email – [email protected]

Circulation: Call to subscribe

Subscription rate: $21.00 Yearly

All subscriptions paid in advance

Published monthly by

Richmond Record 420 East Road

Richmond MA 01254.

Postmaster: Send address changes to

Richmond Record, PO Box 214,

Richmond, MA 01254

Periodicals postage paid at

Richmond, MA 01254The Richmond Record welcomes letters

from readers. The Record reserves the rightto edit letters for length, content and style.

Photo by Dorothea Greene

No one knows if she saw Richmond Library’s sign or Bartlett’s sign welcom-

ing her to the neighborhood while on her way to Governor Deval Patrick’s

house for dinner. Hopefully, she did.

Fran Bartlett

Guest Editorial

Francis A. Bartlett 1929-2012

Continued on page 5

Page 3: Richmond Record, August, 2012

By Judith Shaw

Editor’s note: This is the second in-

terview with the couple that recently

bought the historic landmark, Peirson

Place. In March, Judith Shaw wrote

about Menendez’ husband, Anthony

Vitto, M.D. in “New Neighbors.”

Terri Menendez and her husband, An-thony Vitto, M.D., bought Peirson Placeon Route 41 a year ago. He is a teleneu-

rologist, and she is an elite software en-gineer at IBM. Terri designs operatingsystems for huge mainframe computersthat handle the billions of transactionstaking place all over the world, 24 hoursa day. Put briefly, she writes the soft-ware that keeps giant computers run-ning.

Her driving passion, though, is horsesand Grand Prix dressage. So how didshe end up on track to become a distin-guished engineer at IBM? “Well, I wasreally good in math,” she reported.“Computers were a logical extension. Ithought I could be a really good rider,and computers would finance the horsesand give me time to do what I wanted.The software industry was expanding,and my brother was into computers. Itseemed like the obvious thing to do.”

“I wanted to live in Woodside, nearSan Francisco,” she continued. “Myhorses were there, and I wanted to livethere, too. Hewlett Packard was rightthere. I interviewed with them at a col-lege job fair, but they didn’t want to hireme,” said Terri, still irritated. IBM, on

the other hand, made five different of-fers. “They were, like, ‘straight A’s inmath? What can we do for you?’” IBMhad offices south of San Jose whereTerri was also willing to live, so shesaid “yes”.

She became a system programmer onthe mainframes that ran the manufactur-ing line for the disc drives. “It was apretty technical job, making sure thecode is ready, and the system staysworkable for the user groups.” Shestayed in this job for five years. Duringthose years she was “competing in dres-sage like crazy. I thought I could makethe U.S. dressage team,” she says. Shebought a farm at Morgan Hill and builther own dressage ring. She also boughtone of the first generation of US-bredGerman Warmbloods for her breedingprogram.

Meanwhile, back at IBM, she movedinto development and began designingthe operating systems for the computersshe had worked on as a systems pro-grammer. It had become important formainframe computers to be online 24hours a day, so that all time zones had“high availability.” IBM kept enhanc-ing hardware and software so main-frames could maintain availability evenwhen parts of the data systems went of-fline.

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 3

Continued on page 8

It’s About the Horses

New Neighbors – Part Two

Photo by Virginia Larkin

Terri Menendez

Page 4: Richmond Record, August, 2012

By Ken Kelly

On a hot, muggy evening in July,when most folks would have preferredto be cooling off in the lake, about threedozen people who live around or useRichmond Pond gathered at the TownHall for the annual meeting of the Rich-mond Pond Association. As a preludeto the meeting, attendees perused a fas-cinating display of photographs, maps,and articles about the history of thepond, dating back to the late 1800’s, andprovided by unofficial RPA historianHolly Stover, whose family’s cottagewas the first one on the lake.

President Linda Kay opened by out-lining the two primary purposes of themeeting - to educate attendees aboutlake management strategies employedto date, and solicit feedback on how the

RPA should proceed into the future. Asthe meeting progressed, many of thoseattending were surprised to learn thatmanagement of a pond involves suchvaried, complex, and expensive issues.

The Richmond Pond Association wasformed 12 years ago, when it evolvedfrom a group of stakeholders around the

lake. Each of the three community as-sociations, South Pond Condos, the in-dependent cottages, and the three youthcamps have representatives on the asso-ciation. Since the pond is about two-thirds in Richmond and one-third inPittsfield, both Richmond and Pittsfieldtown officials (Matt Kerwood and JimMcGrath) also serve on the RPA. Thisdedicated group of RPA volunteersmeets monthly to implement the statedmission of the group, which is “…topreserve, protect, maintain and enhancethe rural, environmental, recreational,esthetic and economic values of Rich-mond Pond.” The RPA provides aforum for interaction between the majorstakeholders at the pond and enables acoordinated response for environmentaland other issues facing this 218-acreraised great pond.

The City of Pittsfield’s Park and OpenSpace Manager, Jim McGrath, com-mented, “The City of Pittsfield is com-mitted to working closely with the townof Richmond and the RPA on the man-agement of Richmond Pond. The waterbody is an important shared resourceand its health is of paramount impor-

Pond Care 101

Annual Public Association Meeting

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 4

Photo by Michael Paul Esposito

Fishing at Richmond Pond is a

leisurely summer activity.

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Continued on Page 8

Page 5: Richmond Record, August, 2012

By Linda Morse

In July, residents along gravel roads

in Richmond received a welcome sum-

mer reprieve from dust, thanks to the

town’s Public Works crew. The secret

ingredient was 12,000 gallons of cal-

cium chloride, according to Public

Works Director Gerry Coppola. “We

had a wet spring, so the roads stayed

damp. But then, with two months of

drought, they started to fall apart,” he

explained. Once those gravel roads start

to crumble, that’s when the dust begins

accumulating. Every car or truck that

passes by creates a billow of dust that

easily floats into houses along the way.

“We lose about an inch of road from the

dust alone,” he said. The liquid was

sprayed on 80% of Richmond’s roads,

and 100% of roads well-travelled or

with residences.

Calcium chloride costs about $1.80

per gallon, so it adds up to a sizable an-

nual expenditure, but ask any Richmon-

der who lives on a gravel road and

you’ll hear a hearty endorsement for the

annual application. ■

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Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 5

Dust Begone

Calcium Chloride to the RescueAnnual Mum Sale

Courtesy of

Richmond Gardeners

@Richmond Land Trust

Pie Social

9/15

Francis Bartlett from page 2

One of the Bartletts’ major contributionswas giving bushels of apples to the can-dy-apple project that launched the AnitaChapman Scholarship Fund in 1971.Teen-agers gathered at the Richmondchurch to dip the apples, which were soldby the dozens at Bartlett’s Orchard build-ing on Swamp Road during the height ofthe apple season.

At the farm, Fran’s 4 a.m. apple treespraying at first startled newcomers to thehousing development on the hill. But fewrealized that when the lights were still onat the retail store at 10 p.m., it meant Franwas there, mopping the floor before thenext day’s business began.

He raised wonderful apples and an ac-complished family.  He gave hours andhours of time to Richmond.  And for us,best of all, he provided more than 50 yearsof friendship that was loyal, steady andwithout a single blip. ■

Page 6: Richmond Record, August, 2012

Violations large and small, unintention-al and otherwise, have kept Holly and therest of the commission on their respec-tive toes, but there are a few episodes thatstand out in Holly’s mind as being espe-cially significant. Early in her career, Gor-don Rose, a developer from New YorkCity, was planning a five-parcel devel-opment on Cone Hill Road. The Conser-vation Commission sent a certified let-ter informing him of a wetlands violationand he abandoned the plan. Subsequent-ly, when Rose again chose to develop in

wetlands, Holly and the ConservationCommission sent him another certifiedletter which he chose to ignore. This timea prospective buyer took the matter tocourt and a legal precedent was set in thestate over the case, making the develop-er and the realtors legally liable forwithholding pertinent information fromprospective buyers.

In another case, in 1989 the AltrescoGenerating Plant of Colorado needed toprovide gas to their cogeneration plant inPittsfield. They hired a local firm, Berk-shire Gas Company, to build a pipeline

from the Tennessee Gas pipeline onSleepy Hollow Road to General Electric.Different routes through Richmond wereproposed, none of which were deemedacceptable by the town fathers. Holly,with unprecedented help from the thentown manager, Bruce Garlow, roused thecitizenry to protest the dangers to roads,trees and water supply and potential bod-ily harm (some of the pipes were twicethe legal limit in a residential area.) Asthe town became more anxious about thesituation, it became clear that legal rep-resentation was going to be necessary. Anenvironmental lawyer from Boston, Jef-frey Bernstein, was hired. He became soinvolved in this David and Goliath con-test that he forgave his usual fee andworked successfully on the town’s behalf,pro bono. It was a great victory for thetown, in particular the ConservationCommission. And Holly, deservedly so,takes great pride in her role as the com-munity’s champion and representative inthis struggle. Indeed, the lawyer was sofavorably impressed with the town’sspirit and tenacity and the beauty of thesurrounding area that he subsequently setup a law practice in Pittsfield.

Looking toward the future, Holly is op-timistic. She has great faith in the townof Richmond and its willingness to fightto preserve its fragile, pastoral country-side. She also has great hopes for the newconservation administrator, Susan Bube-nas, who has certification and trainingin conservation and wetland issues.

Additionally, Holly has one particularwish for the future and that is to have thetown initiate some kind of formal “wel-come” for newcomers to the town some-thing like the “Welcome Wagons” of thepast. A package might contain informa-tion about the town and how it functions,its town boards, its bylaws, the school,the fire department and maybe a plate ofbrownies as a gesture of hospitality.She feels it might contribute to an easyand happy introduction to life in a smalltown. ■

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Holly Stover from page 1

Page 7: Richmond Record, August, 2012

By Rita Blieberg

On a sultry afternoon in late July this

reporter met with Barbara Ripa, EdD

(pronounced Reepa) in the small non-

airconditioned office of the superin-

tendent of the Shaker Mountain School

Union #70, which consists of Richmond,

Hancock and New Ashford. Dr. Ripa,

who began her superintendency on July

1, answered questions about her back-

ground and philosophy of education.

Blieberg: What was the path that

brought you to this superintendency?

Ripa: I was a home economics

teacher for 19 years. It was evident that,within the economic climate, home eco-nomics would be one of the programsthat would likely be downsized. I hadalways been interested in the adminis-trative side of education and when Iwent back for my administrator's certi-fication I realized that this was where Iwanted to be. The scope was moreglobal with the opportunity to interactwith a larger population of students,staff and community. I was certified asprincipal of elementary and middleschool education in both Massachusettsand Connecticut. Following that I re-ceived my certification for assistant su-perintendent and superintendent inMassachusetts. I received my doctorateas my last child graduated from highschool. In fact he went off to collegeand I went back to college to finalizemy certification for superintendency,followed by a superintendent jobsearch.

Ripa has four grown children and

eight grandchildren. Her husband

James was a social studies teacher for

36 years and is retired. Upon receiving

her superintendent certification she was

hired for the position at Hampshire

(MA) Regional Schools that consists of

two regional districts and a school

union. After four years there serving as

superintendent, she made a decision to

retire due to personal reasons. After

three years it was evident that retire-

ment was not for her, and she began a

search for a superintendency concen-

trating on small towns similar to the

ones where she had lived and worked.

The search brought her to Richmond, as

the fit was a good one.

Blieberg: What are your short and

long term goals for Richmond School?

Ripa: My short-term goal is to get toknow the children, staff, families, andcommunity. We are all part of a familyand it is important to know all the partsof that family. My long-term goal is todo goal setting with the staff for educa-tional, capital, and maintenance pur-poses. Each part is important and feedsinto the whole.

Blieberg: One of the concerns of the

Richmond community is declining en-

rollment. How do you view this as you

step into your leadership position?

Ripa: There are many ways to viewdeclining enrollment. One is to makethe programs even stronger so thatevery family in Richmond feels thattheir child is getting the best educationpossible by attending RichmondSchool. Another is to do a good mar-keting job by advertising all of the qual-ities and advantages of our school.School choice is fine and does maxi-mize income for expenses, but there hasto be room for every Richmond child toattend the school. Also, with a popula-tion decline, collaborative efforts withother schools should be pursued. Wehave to ask: how can we share? Thisdoes not have to be a formal arrange-ment. Informal collaborations are im-portant. The decline in enrollment isnot only a Richmond concern. There isconcern throughout the state and weneed to focus on how to maintain qual-ity programs during this time. We have

Welcome Dr. Barbara Ripa

New Superintendent for School District

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 7

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Photo by Dorothea Greene

Dr. Barbara Ripa

Page 8: Richmond Record, August, 2012

From 1986-96 Terri wrote softwarefor high availability access to big data-bases, a very timely area of develop-ment all around the world. It allowstransactions such as swiping creditcards, for example, to continue withoutinterruption any time and any place.

Terri has been at it for 16 years. She

continually enhances the operating sys-tem and travels to customers all over theworld to help them use to it. She wasmade a senior technical staff membersix years ago which at IBM is very im-pressive.

Meanwhile, back at the farm, a switchwas occurring in Terri’s priorities. Herhorses had health problems that putcompetition on hold, and her work was

becoming more and more fascinating.Then she and her husband with herhorses moved to Richmond. Terri andTony are very busy renovating theirhouse and gardens and getting used tolife in New England.

“I love it here,” she says. She alsoloves what she is doing. “My work ismy life. And, of course, the horses.” ■

tance.” Matt Kerwood echoed thesesentiments and outlined support pro-vided by the town of Richmond.

Treasurer Carl Foote provided a shorthistory of pond management activity,and reviewed the concerns that the RPAhas addressed. A primary one has beenmanaging the proliferation of Eurasianmilfoil. He reviewed weed controlstrategies considered, used, and re-jected. In recent years, a two-foot win-ter drawdown coupled with alate-spring herbicide treatment has beenemployed. Holly, one of the founders ofthe RPA, provided additional input re-garding the 30-year history of ponddraw-downs. Permit applications arenow pending approval with the stateand both town conservation commis-sions to continue both strategies for thenext several years. Carl shared theRPA’s long-term recommendation,

which is to seek deeper winter draw-downs, coupled with continued buthopefully reduced herbicide treatment.

Also reviewed were efforts to preventthe introduction of zebra mussels to thepond, including the boat ramp monitorsand other educational outreach efforts.Ongoing concerns about boating safetyand needed expensive repairs and main-tenance for the Richmond Pond dam atLakeside Christian Camp were alsosummarized.

A lively Q&A and community inputsession followed. Most questions fo-cused on the issues of draw-downs andherbicide treatments. They includedquestions about why the canal at Rich-mond Shores had not been treated thisyear (an inadvertent omission); theRPA’s budget (the annual fund-raisingletter was mailed last month); and howmuch the Town of Richmond and theCity of Pittsfield contribute to pond

management expenses (both contribute,but the RPA pays for environmentalmonitoring studies and helps pay forramp monitors, weed treatment, dam re-pairs, etc.). Others asked how much fur-ther the pond could physically be drawndown, what impact pond managementstrategies have on fish and otherspecies, and what enforcement sanc-tions can be imposed if someone is non-compliant with the boat ramp monitors.

Visit the RPA’s newly launched web-site at www.richmondpondassocia-tion.org ■

Editor’s note: Ken Kelly, the RPA

secretary, is the eldest son of the late

Tom and Lois Kelly. Lois devoted many

years of service to Richmond Pond

though her own work on the RPA. Ken

retired last year from Utica College and

has moved back to the Berkshires full-

time. Welcome back, Ken!

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 8

New Neighbors from page 3

Pond Care 101 from page 4

Hours:Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Page 9: Richmond Record, August, 2012

(plumbing, electrical, and health) so get-ting a complete picture was difficult ifnot impossible. Now Richmond, as partof a collaborative effort with Lee,Lenox, Dalton, Monterey, Sheffield andBecket, has purchased software to put inplace an online permitting process thatallows applicants to apply for buildingpermits online. This allows the relatedinspectors, such as the tax collector, thetown clerk, and the assessor to track theinspection progress.

Richmond’s zoning by-laws include asection on violation. Any person con-victed of violating the by-laws can beassessed a fine of $100 per day until theissue causing the violation is remedied.As a practical matter, the town doesn’ttake people to court; the cost is prohib-itive and historically the courts have notprovided compensation that reimburses

that expense. The zoning enforcementofficer does not have the authority to is-sue fines, unlike the animal control of-ficer, the conservation agent or the firechief. Giving the zoning enforcementofficer the ability to levy fines was de-feated at the annual town meeting in1991. The resulting impression is thatsome citizens of Richmond think it isacceptable to try and skirt the zoning by-laws, with corrective action requiredonly after getting “caught”.

In two of the above cases, violationscame to light as a result of neighborcomplaints to the zoning enforcementofficer. With the so-called milking barn,the applicant requested a certificate ofoccupancy and was then discovered tobe in violation. Cease and desist orderswere issued, and he had to apply for aspecial permit for a second residence.The person who added a third floor witha permit to only add a second floor en-

gaged the services of a land use attorneywho then applied for a special permit toconstruct a third floor. That permit wasnot approved. After many months of ne-gotiations, the attorney representing theapplicant was successful in getting theapplicant his third floor, because theoriginal drawings submitted and thenapproved by the ZBA for a second floordid not indicate the height, width orlength of the building.

Because building plans are expensive,applicants frequently will submitsketches or drawings of what the fin-ished project will look like and, if ap-proved by the ZBA, will then have anarchitect or general contractor producethe actual plans the carpenters follow tobuild the house or addition. Frequentlyduring the building process technicalglitches arise and modifications to theplans are made. But how much latitudedoes the contractor or building inspectorhave to deviate from the approved plansor drawings? In the three examples men-tioned above, the applicants clearly de-viated from the approved plans, and didso deliberately. How can you set out torebuild a milking barn and then includea kitchen, bedrooms and a fireplace?

What to require when applying for aspecial permit and what to do about as-sessing fines for willful violations ofthe zoning by-laws are challenges forthe ZBA. However, the ZBA doesn’tmake the rules, it follows them. So thequestion ultimately needs to be an-swered by Town Hall. By the way, ifyou say you are remodeling a kitchenand instead put on a second story anddon’t get caught, you effectively hideyour newly-expanded residence fromthe tax assessor. ■

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 9

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Page 10: Richmond Record, August, 2012

to be creative, and not only think out-side the box, but instead, not have a boxat all. Instead of “can't” we have to say“why not?” Richmond students excelas they move on to higher levels of ed-ucation and we have to offer programsthat help them to make many differentchoices.

Blieberg: What do you feel are the

advantages and disadvantages of a

small school environment?

Ripa: The advantages of a smallschool environment are flexibility ofprograms, a feeling of family witheveryone knowing one another, and theinteraction between student, faculty andcommunity. The disadvantage is thatfunds tend to be tighter as we pursuemaintaining quality programs.

Blieberg: What do you see as another

major challenge in addition to declin-

ing enrollment in the school?

Ripa: One of my prime philosophies

is that professional development andcurriculum development are thelifeblood of schools. We need to focuson teacher development, and how wecan appropriately incorporate technol-ogy, for instance, into the school setting.

Blieberg: Do you have hobbies to off-

set the stress of the job?

Ripa: I play the flute at church. Ilove to read and am a knitter. But themost important stress reducer and theone that is my priority is spending timewith my grandchildren. That is the bestone of all!

Blieberg: With the opening of school

is there anything that you would like to

say to the students, staff, and residents

of Richmond?

Ripa: I would like the community toknow that I feel very privileged to behere. This is an opportunity to do whatI do well, to be a part of a small commu-nity, and to be involved in moving the

school forward. I have been so warmlywelcomed by staff, students and parentsand look forward to working with them.

The Richmond Record wishes Dr.

Barbara Ripa well in her position as su-

perintendent of the Shaker Mountain

School Union #70. ■

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 10

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Page 11: Richmond Record, August, 2012

Volume X, No 4 Richmond Record, August 2012 Pg 11

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Now

in our

10th Year!

By Mary Jane Piazza

This year's Congregational Church

Tag Sale - one of the most successful in

recent memory - reminded many of the

Civic Association sponsored auctions

held in the early 1990's under a large

white tent between church and Town

Hall. Then, Richmond resident Ed

Sawyer entertained bidders with his

comical remarks as he auctioned estates-

worth of collectables. Proceeds were

used for legal fees in the battle against the

Altresco and Tennessee Gas pipeline. At-

tendees told of confusion turning to hi-

larity as winnings were handed through

the window of Town Hall. while hoping

valuables would be loaded into the right

car.

After several successful years, the

auction idea changed to a town picnic

sponsored by the Richmond Land Trust,

co-sponsored by the Civic Association

and Historical Society at distinctive

properties around Richmond. Some in-

cluded kid’s games, all included hot

dogs, and one is remembered for an un-

timely thunderstorm. At one year's pic-

nic Elyse Etling and Lauren Joy, then

owners of Richmond's A Mano Cafe sug-

gested simplifying the offerings to home-

made pies baked by Richmond resi-

dents. The idea became the now-annu-

al fall Pie Social, sponsored by the

Richmond Land Trust. There, neighbors

could talk with each other about the idea

of conserving Richmond’s lands while

enjoying the splendor of a fall day.

Saturday, September 15, all Rich-

mond residents are invited to mingle and

enjoy homemade pies, coffee and lemon-

ade at the Ratcliff property at the corner

of March Hare Road and Sleepy Hollow

Road from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Last

year nearly 100 pies were offered and

consumed. In addition, a sale of fall

mums will beautify the event, courtesy

of the Richmond Gardeners. ■

Save the Date: September 15

Evolution of the Pie SocialConcerts in Albany

Richmond residents are advised

that, as of September, the Council

On Aging van schedule will include

trips to several Albany Pro Musica

performances in the Albany area.

Albany Pro Music is the premier

choral ensemble in the region and

performs several times during the

calendar year between September

and June. The 2012 – 2013 concert

schedule can be seen at www.al-

banypromusica.org. Prices for the

subscription concerts range from $25

for regular seating, $35 for premium

seating and $10 for students. This

65 member mixed chorus, now in its

31st year, performs a diverse reper-

toire.

For more information on the van

schedule, contact Barbara Lahey at

698-2610. For more information on

Albany Pro Musica, contact Steve

Murray at 698-2197.

Page 12: Richmond Record, August, 2012

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Richmond Land Trust

Pie Social

Saturday, September15.

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

#2 March Hare Road/

Corner of Sleepy Hollow Road

Richmond Free Public Library

Hours Thru August

Mondays 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 a.m. –

8:00 p.m.

Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Phone: 698-3834

&Children’s Story Hour

Ages: Infant and Up!

First Thursday of Each Month

3:30 p.m.

(Time changed from 10:30 a.m.)

&Book Discussion Group

Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month

August 28 @ 2:00 p.m.

“Wolf Hall”

by Hilary Mantel

Blood Pressure Clinics

Free on Thursdays

9:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m.

Sponsored by the Community Health

Association

Richmond Congregational Church.

RICHMOND RECORD Richmond, Massachusetts

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