Because of the extreme heat and humidity forecast for the next two days, cooling centers will be open in several locations throughout Northampton during Wednesday, Sept. 6, and Thursday, Sept. 7. The National Weather Service has declared a heat advisory continuing through 8 p.m. Thursday. 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:
Division of Community Care community room, 1 Roundhouse Plaza, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday.
Forbes Library, 20 West St., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday.
Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St., Florence, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday.
Manna Community Center, 48 Elm St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday.
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.
Sale of 33 King Street
The City Council’s Finance Committee, of which I am a member, and Committee on Community Resources will hold a joint virtual meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6, to review a Request for Proposals to redevelop 33 King St.
The Zoom link to join the conversation is:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89151333167?pwd=SitFOXV5VkdzTVo5MTMreFJVWE1nQT09
The city will seek bids for the 1.46-acre parcel that formerly was owned by the state and used for the Hampshire County Hall of Records. That vacant two-story building, which is nearly 50 years old, is expected to be demolished.
The Request for Proposals drafted by the city’s Planning & Sustainability office calls for a minimum bid of $2.5 million and will give preference to projects that include mixed-income housing, at least 20 parking spaces available to the public, and a multi-story building of more than three floors.
The redevelopment plan must include an easement for the public to pass through the property on foot or via non-motorized vehicles to the rail trail at the east side of the site.
Specifics of the Request for Proposals, including the criteria for scoring bids, will be discussed by city councilors at Wednesday’s meeting in advance of an expected vote during the full City Council meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7.
The city expects to issue the Request for Proposals in September with Nov. 30 the proposed deadline for submitting bids. Profits from the sale would be split equally with the state.
The draft Request for Proposals is available here:
https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/21869?fileID=183456
Specialized building code
The City Council will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St.
Remote participation is available by using this Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84521228288?pwd=c0RDZC8vUGxSTlB2V0c2Tmt1RFVCUT09
Among the agenda items is a vote on adopting the Massachusetts Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code. It promotes increased energy efficiency and decreased carbon emissions that would help meet the city’s carbon neutrality goals by 2050.
The specialized code would require new houses using fossil fuels to also have solar installations and wiring that would allow conversion to all-electric in the future.
A report issued earlier this summer by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Massachusetts estimates that the new residential building code would increase the cost of home construction by between 1.8 percent and 3.8 percent.
A national study last year by the Rocky Mountain Institute found that all-electric, single-family homes over their lifetimes are more economical and have fewer carbon emissions than those using fossil fuels.
The Committee on Legislative Matters, of which I am a member, voted unanimously Aug. 14 to recommend that the City Council approve the specialized stretch code.
Division of Community Care open house
The city’s Division of Community Care will have an open house at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 8, in its new community space at 1 Roundhouse Plaza.
The space, which houses community responders, the DCC coordinator and a public health nurse, opened to the public on Tuesday, Sept. 5. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
Officials Friday will describe how the community space will be used and services provided by the DCC. There also will be tours between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and refreshments and activities led by community responders between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
The Division of Community Care, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, sends civilian responders to nonviolent calls as an alternative to policing. Responders will assist some of the most vulnerable members of the community by providing support, advocacy and connection to resources.
More information is available here: https://www.northamptondcc.org.
Taste of Northampton
The Taste of Northampton, which returned in 2022 after an absence of about two decades, will be held again this year from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicle traffic between Old South Street and King and Pleasant streets.
Local restaurants will showcase food and beverages at the event sponsored by the City of Northampton and the Downtown Northampton Association.
More information, including a list of participating restaurants and vendors, is available here: https://northampton.live/taste-of-northampton
Stan