Richmond Board of Health Approves 2020 Minutes, Hears COVID Vaccine Briefing

RICHMOND -- January 5, 2021, Richmond Board of Health receives first COVID vaccine briefing of 2021. At the January 5 Zoom meeting, public health nurse Emily reported that Richmond recorded 22 confirmed and three probable COVID-19 cases between March and December 2020, with 11 confirmed cases in November and December alone. She outlined three quarantine options under updated CDC and Massachusetts guidelines and said first responders would begin receiving the Moderna vaccine at Berkshire County sites the following week, with Phase 2 eligibility, covering residents 75 and older and those with comorbidities, not expected until late February. On food-service matters, Balderdash Cellars owner Christian confirmed continued use of a Pittsfield-licensed food truck under the governor's beverage order and agreed to refile his in-house food preparation permit through the town's new online system. Bartlett's Orchard kitchen repairs and Hilltop Orchards permit compliance both remained unresolved, with board members planning site visits.