Welcome to the Town of Richey Town of Richey … A Great Place to Live!
In the Town of Richey, we are defined less by boundaries on a map than by the sense of shared values our residents hold dear. Small-town values, guided growth, and preservation of historical, cultural, and natural heritage are just a few of the core principles that make the Town of Richey a wonderful place to call home.
We are funded in part by coal severance taxes paid based upon coal mined in Montana and deposited in the Montana coal endowment special revenue account.
Featured News
Montana Main Street Program Community Meeting on November 4
10/10/2024
The Richey community is invited to a session featuring Micky Zurcher of the Montana Main Street Program on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Ms. Zurcher will discuss resources available to help us grow, to enhance economic vitality, and to maintain our local historic...
Water Main Construction Update and Reminders
9/20/2024
This weekend, Easton will continue cleaning up 1st and 2nd Streets East, although curb stops on 1st Street East will remain dug up until the final switchover to the new water mains, which is tentatively scheduled for next Thursday, September 26. Residents on 1st Street East should be prepared...
Town Council Approves Updated Open-Burning Ordinance
9/17/2024
On September 9, the Richey Town Council approved updates to Ordinance Chapter 7.32, "Open Burning Regulations and Policy," to clarify both allowed and prohibited burning activities within Town limits, to mirror Dawson County's adoption of fire restrictions, and to align with state requirements....
IMPORTANT: Construction and Garbage Updates
9/17/2024
Water Main Replacement: While Easton continues its work on 1st Street East, it plans to begin digging up curb stops on 1st Street West as soon as Thursday. This means there will be partial or full closures on this street until the work is complete. Since street access to your property could be...
UPDATE on Phase 2 Water Main Replacement Project
9/13/2024
We are now a little more than a week into construction, and Easton Companies/Grade A Civil has installed new water mains along 2nd Street East and dug up around the curb stops that will be replaced on that street. Easton has now begun to dig up the curb stops to be replaced on 1st Street East...
Phase 2 Water Main Construction Officially Begins TODAY!
9/5/2024
Easton Companies/Grade A Civil will officially start construction on Phase 2 of our water main replacement project as of today, Thursday, September 5. This project is expected to last for around two months.
Easton will begin work on 2nd Street East today, then move on to 1st Street East, and...
Billing Changes Effective August 2024
8/28/2024
As previously announced, on June 25th the Richey Town Council adopted a new utilities ordinance, which contains several new or revised fees that will take effect as of the August 2024 billing period, the bills for which will be mailed out early next week.
- NEW opt-in water customers who are...
Final Minutes for July Town Council Meeting
8/20/2024
The final minutes for the July 9 Town Council meeting are linked below.
Final Minutes for Recent Town Council Meetings and Public Hearings
7/29/2024
Linked below are the final minutes for several recent Richey Town Council meetings and public hearings.
05-14-2024 Phase III Water Public Hearing Minutes FINAL SIGNED
06-11-2024 Utilities Ordinance Public Hearing #1 Minutes FINAL SIGNED
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions In Effect For Richey Starting July 27 at Noon
7/26/2024
Dawson County will be entering into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective Saturday, July 27, at 12:00 p.m. The Town of Richey will follow suit with the same restrictions.
Pursuant to Town of Richey Ordinance Chapter 7.32, “Burning During Dry Weather,” during extreme dry weather, no burning will...
Town Council Updates Two Traffic Ordinances
7/16/2024
At its July 9, 2024, meeting, the Richey Town Council adopted the second reading of updates to two of the Town's traffic ordinances: Chapter 10.04, "Traffic Violations by Minors," and Chapter 10.12, "Driving in the Town of Richey." These revisions were made to align with Montana state law and...
Town Council Adopts Updated Utilities Ordinance and Revised Water/Sewer Service Rates
7/1/2024
On June 25, 2024, the Richey Town Council formally adopted Ordinance Chapter 4.30, "Water and Sewer Systems and the Provision of Water, Sewer, and Garbage Collection Services." Apart from consolidating or rescinding 4 previous ordinances and 14 previous resolutions, the updated Ordinance lays...
2023 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Is Now Available
6/28/2024
The Town of Richey has published its 2023 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, which is available at the link below. We are pleased to report that the Town had no violations.
Please contact the Town Office if you have any questions or if you wish to have a copy of the report. Thanks!
Town Council Considers Revisions to Various Ordinances
6/19/2024
At its regular monthly meeting on June 11, the Richey Town Council adopted the second reading of revisions to Ordinance Chapter 12.04, "Street Closures," to delegate approval of street closure permits to the Town’s administration (instead of the Council) to make the process more timely and...
Final Minutes for May Town Council Meeting and May 21 Working Session
6/18/2024
The final minutes for the May 14 Town Council meeting and for the May 21 Council working session are linked below.
May 14 Council Meeting Minutes FINAL SIGNED
And the Yard Contest Winner Is...
6/17/2024
James and Tia Gorman at 308 North Main Street! The Mayor and Town Council members donated their stipends for the month of June as the prize money, so the Gormans will be receiving around $310. Congratulations!!
Phase II Water Project Construction Update
6/14/2024
GREAT NEWS!! On May 30, the Town reviewed the five construction bids it received for Phase II of the water main replacement project. Having this many interested contractors made the bid process much more competitive this time around, and as a result, the Town will be able to replace 12 full...
Driving In Town Limits
5/30/2024
NOTICE: Under Montana Code Annotated, a person may not operate/drive any motorized vehicle or off-highway/recreational vehicle on a public highway, road, street, or alleyway unless that person has a valid Montana driver’s license and the vehicle is also licensed and registered. The Town...
Final Minutes for April Town Council Meeting and for March 26 and April 2 Working Sessions
5/24/2024
The final minutes for the April 9 Town Council meeting and for the March 26 and April 2 working sessions are linked below.
April 9 Council Meeting Minutes FINAL SIGNED
March 26 Town Council Working Session Minutes FINAL SIGNED
Final Minutes for March Town Council Meeting
4/19/2024
The final minutes for the March 12 Town Council meeting are linked below.
Town of Richey Think Spring 2024 Newsletter
4/18/2024
We hope you find this newsletter to be informative and that you can use it as an ongoing reference in the coming months as the Town embarks on all of the activities described within.
Please reach out to the Town Office if you have any questions. Thanks!
GRANT AWARD UPDATE: The Town of Richey Awarded Another $15,000 MCEP Planning Grant
4/9/2024
The Town of Richey has been awarded a third Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) planning grant for $15,000. This grant will be used to update the Water Preliminary Engineering Report for Phase III of the water infrastructure replacement project. Along with the two planning grants awarded...
Bulk Water Plant Is Open For The Season
4/9/2024
The bulk water plant is now open for the 2024 season. As a reminder, the current bulk water rate is $0.02 per gallon (approximate).
Please remember to CLOSE the valve behind the standpipe before filling, and to OPEN the valve when finished to prevent freezing. There is also a new door on the...
Final Minutes for February Council Meetings and March 5 Council Working Session
3/15/2024
The final minutes for the February 13 Town Council meeting, the February 13 Public Hearing, and the March 5 Town Council Working Session are linked below.
February 13 Council Meeting Minutes FINAL SIGNED
02-13-2024 Public Hearing Minutes FINAL SIGNED
Some Important General Reminders
3/12/2024
- Town Alerts: We strongly encourage everyone to sign up for e-mail and/or text alerts from the Town of Richey to stay up-to-date on general Town news and--more importantly--to receive any urgent messages or announcements that all residents should be aware of right away. It's free, quick, and...
Final Minutes for December 2023 Public Hearing and January 2024 Council Meetings
2/20/2024
The final minutes for the December 12 Public Hearing, the January 9 Town Council meeting, and the January 18 Special Meeting are linked below.
12-12-2023 Public Hearing Minutes FINAL SIGNED
January 9 Council Meeting Minutes FINAL SIGNED
Town of Richey Awarded $60,000 in MCEP Planning Grants
1/26/2024
The Town of Richey has been awarded $60,000 in Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) planning grants!
A grant for $40,000 will be used to complete a wastewater/sewer Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). Similar to the PERs created for the ongoing water main replacement project, this report...
Final Minutes for December 2023 Town Council Meeting
1/19/2024
The final minutes for the December 12 Town Council meeting are linked below.
Richey Town Council Welcomes Jon Barnhart and Preston Ulrich
1/8/2024
Please join the Town of Richey in welcoming its two newest Councilmembers: Jon Barnhart and Preston Ulrich!
Jon has been appointed to the position previously held by Troy Holzworth, and will join Tammy Clinton in representing the east side of town (Ward 2). Preston has been appointed to the...
Final Minutes for November 2023 Town Council Meetings
12/22/2023
The final minutes for the November 14 Subdivision Regulations Public Hearing and for the November 14 Town Council meeting are linked below.
11-14-2023 Subdivision Regulations Public Hearing Final Minutes
Final Minutes for October 2023 Town Council Meetings
11/17/2023
The final minutes for the October 10 Water/Sewer Rates Public Hearing #2 and for the October 10 Town Council Meeting are linked below.
10-10-2023 Public Hearing Minutes FINAL SIGNED
Town Council Adopts Second Readings of Revisions to Existing Ordinances
10/30/2023
At its October 10 meeting, the Richey Town Council adopted the second and final readings of several ordinance revisions pertaining to the Town Judge; Water, Sewer, and Garbage Services; and Building Permits. These revised ordinances will be effective November 10, 2023, in accordance with state...
Final Minutes for September 2023 Town Council Meetings
10/23/2023
The final minutes for the September 12 Water/Sewer Rates Public Hearing #1 and for the September 12 Town Council Meeting are linked below.
09-12-2023 Public Hearing Minutes FINAL SIGNED
New Water, Sewer, and Bulk Water Rates Are Now In Effect
10/23/2023
On October 10, 2023, the Richey Town Council approved the following increases to the Town's water, sewer, and bulk water rates. These increases represent the second half of an overall rate adjustment that was announced in mid-2022 to support the upcoming Phase 2 of the water system improvements...
New Town of Richey Recycling Trailer
10/5/2023
The town of richey's New Recycling Trailer WAS Purchased with Generous Donations From:
- Tri-County Implement
- McCone Electric Co-op
- Mid-Rivers Communications
- Grasslands Federal Credit Union
- Nortana Grain Co.
- Prairie Ag Co-op
- Big Sky Hardware, Lumber, and Grocery
- Richey FFA
The Town of...
Final Minutes for August 2023 Town Council Meetings
9/15/2023
The final minutes for the August 8 Town Council Meeting, the August 15 Special Budget Meeting, the August 22 Budget Public Hearing, and the August 22 Special Budget Meeting are linked below.
August 8 Council Meeting Minutes FINAL SIGNED
Town Council Approves FY 2023-2024 Budget
8/30/2023
On August 22, 2023, the Richey Town Council approved the Town of Richey's final budget, appropriations, and mill levy for fiscal year 2023-2024.
The related resolutions are linked below, along with a detailed line-item budget for all revenues and expenses, by fund. The formal budget document...
Town of Richey 2022 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
8/28/2023
The Town of Richey's Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2022 is available at the link below. It is also posted at the Post Office, Stockman Bank, Big Sky Hardware, and the Senior Citizens Center, and copies are available upon request from the Town Office.
Richey Town Council Adopts Resolutions for Enforcing Ordinances and for Re-establishing Town Judge
8/21/2023
Earlier this month, the Richey Town Council adopted resolutions (see links below) to formalize a policy for enforcing local ordinances and to re-establish the Town's judge. These resolutions are part of an overall effort to ensure that the Town’s ordinances are applied consistently and fairly...
Richey Town Council Adopts Resolution for Building and Construction Permits
7/10/2023
With summer projects in full swing, we have received many requests for building permits and just as many questions about the process for getting a building permit and why a permit is needed.
At its June 13, 2023, meeting, the Richey Town Council adopted Resolution #392, "Application for...
Phase 1 of the Water Main Replacement Project is Complete!
6/19/2023
With the exception of a few minor follow-up items that will be addressed in the next few weeks, Phase 1 of the Town's water main replacement project is complete! Reaching this milestone was a multiyear process that could not have been accomplished without the efforts of the previous and current...
Town of Richey Awarded $500,000 Grant for Additional Water Main Replacement
6/8/2023
The Town of Richey has been approved for a Montana Coal Endowment Program grant award in the amount of $500,000 to replace water mains. This funding will be applied to "Phase 2" of the water main replacement project. This grant, in addition to the Community Development Block Grant of $600,000...
New Town Office Hours
5/15/2023
Beginning the week of May 15, the Richey Town Office will have expanded business hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday -- 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Reminder About Outside Animals Within Town Limits
1/17/2023
During the past few weeks, a number of residents have expressed concerns about the constant barking of dogs in town and about stray and/or aggressive animals wandering about. As a reminder, the Town of Richey has several long-standing ordinances in place covering both animals and public...
Town of Richey Awarded $600,000 Grant for Additional Water Main Replacement
1/3/2023
The Town of Richey has been selected for a Community Development Block Grant award in the amount of $600,000 for replacing water mains. This funding will be applied to "Phase 2" of the water main replacement project.
Construction on "Phase 1" of the project, which encompasses Main Street (from...