Because of the extreme heat forecast, cooling centers will be open in several locations throughout Northampton during Thursday, July 27, and Friday, July 28. The National Weather Service has declared a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

The centers are open to anyone who needs a cool place during the heatwave. They will be open as follows:

Senior Center, 67 Conz St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday.

Forbes Library, 20 West St., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St., Florence, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday.

Manna Community Center, 48 Elm St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday.

Edwards Church, 297 Main St., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday.

Health officials offer these tips for coping with hot, humid weather.

  • Avoid strenuous activity and drink plenty of water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible.
  • If you do not have air-conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help to evaporate sweat, which cools your body.
  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
  • Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid high-protein foods that increase metabolic rate.
  • Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
  • Check on family, friends, and neighbors.

People needing assistance during the heat are advised to contact Northampton Public Safety at 413-587-1100.

Mosquitoes

The Northampton Department of Health & Human Services on Wednesday issued an advisory warning residents that the recent flooding and heavy rains have increased mosquito breeding and the risk of diseases spread by the insect, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus.

Northampton has been a member of the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District since it was created in 2017. It uses integrated pest management to control mosquitoes and minimize the risk of disease. That includes continuous monitoring, weekly disease testing, increased sanitation, and using the lowest-risk pesticide when necessary.

The City of Northampton also contracts with a mosquito control company to apply larvicide to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in standing water. The larvicide is species-specific and will not harm humans, animals, birds, other insects, fish, shellfish, plants, or the environment, according to the Department of Health & Human Services.

Residents are advised to use mosquito repellent when outside and to remove standing water from places such as ditches, gutters, old tires, wheelbarrows and wading pools.

The Department of Health & Human Services offers these other tips:

  • DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used only in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
  • The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many species of mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during the evening and early morning.
  • Use mosquito netting on baby carriages or playpens when outdoors.
  • When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
  • Make sure screens are repaired and are tightly attached to doors and windows.
  • Avoid camping overnight near freshwater swamps to reduce your risk of exposure to mosquitoes. If you go camping, use a tent with mosquito netting and appropriate repellents.
  • Cats and dogs can become infected with mosquito-borne illnesses. You can protect your animals by using veterinary-approved products containing permethrin.

Further information is available by contacting Health Commissioner Merridith O’Leary at 413-587-1215.

Municipal election

CITY COUNCIL: I am one of four incumbent city councilors – along with Alex Jarrett of Ward 5, Marianne LaBarge of Ward 6 and Rachel Maiore of Ward 7 – who will run for reelection with no opponent on the Nov. 7 municipal election ballot.

Monday was the deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers for certification of signatures. Aug. 7 is the last day to submit those papers to the city clerk for placement on the Nov. 7 ballot. There will not be a preliminary election this year in Northampton.

Candidates for the two at-large City Council seats who submitted papers to appear on the ballot are incumbent Marissa Elkins, Garrick Perry (now the Ward 4 councilor), Roy Martin, and David Murphy (a former Ward 5 councilor who lost a bid for an at-large seat in 2021). The other incumbent at-large councilor, Jamila Gore, is not seeking reelection.

The only other potential contest for a City Council seat is in Ward 3, with JoElla Tarbutton-Springfield and Quaverly Rothenberg each submitting enough signatures for the ballot. The current Ward 3 Councilor, James Nash, is not seeking reelection.

In Ward 4, the only candidate is Jeremy Dubs.

And in Ward 2, the only candidate is Deborah Pastrich-Klemer, who would succeed Karen Foster. She is not seeking reelection to the City Council and is the only candidate for the Ward 2 School Committee seat.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE: There is a three-way contest for two at-large School Committee seats, with incumbents Gwen Agna and Aline Davis, and Ward 1 member Margaret Robbins all submitting nomination papers. Because Robbins was redistricted to Ward 4, she is unable to seek reelection in Ward 1.

The only other potential contest for a School Committee seat is in Ward 4, with incumbent Michael Stein and Endamian Stewart each submitting enough signatures for the ballot.

Holly Ghazey, who now represents Ward 2 on the School Committee, was redistricted to Ward 1, where she is the only candidate for School Committee to submit nomination papers.

Incumbents Emily Serafy-Cox of Ward 3 and Margaret Miller of Ward 6 will run for reelection to the School Committee with no opponent on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Ann Hennessey is the only candidate to submit papers for School Committee in Ward 5, a seat she held from 2014 to 2020. Current Ward 5 School Committee member Dina Levi is not seeking reelection.

And In Ward 7, Kerry Labounty is the only candidate for School Committee who submitted papers. Current Ward 7 School Committee member Kaia Goleman is not seeking reelection.

SMITH SCHOOL TRUSTEES: The three incumbent trustees of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Michael Cahillane, Richard Aquadro and Julie Spencer-Robinson, will run for reelection with no opposition on the Nov. 7 ballot.

FORBES LIBRARY TRUSTEES: The four candidates who submitted nomination papers for three seats on the Forbes Library Board of Trustees are incumbent Kathleen Wight, and Ruth Francis, Alexander George and Anne Teschner. Incumbent trustees Emily Prabhaker and Joseph Twarog are not seeking reelection.

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE: Incumbent Christopher Hellman and Emily “Lemy” Coffin submitted nomination papers for the two elected seats on the Community Preservation Committee.

OLIVER SMITH ELECTOR: The two candidates who submitted nomination papers for Elector under the Oliver Smith Will are incumbent Mary Odgers and David Murphy, who lost his reelection bid in 2021.

Bicycle repair workshops

The Friends of Northampton Trails Bikes for All Project will hold bicycle repair workshops from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1 and Aug. 22 at 43 Summer St., at the corner of State Street.

Volunteer mechanics will teach how to fix a flat tire on Aug. 1 and general bicycle maintenance on Aug. 22. Tools and parts will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their own biocycles.

Reservations for the workshops may be made by emailing [email protected]

More information about the Friends of Northampton Trails is available here: https://fntrails.org

Stan