Because of the extreme heat forecast through Friday, cooling centers will be open in several locations throughout Northampton for the next four days.
The National Weather Service has declared a heat advisory from noon to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, and an excessive heat watch from noon, Wednesday, June 19, through 7 p.m., Friday, June 21. Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during these dangerously hot conditions.
The centers are open to anyone who needs a cool place during the heatwave. They will be open as follows:
Tuesday, June 18: Division of Community Care community room, 1 Roundhouse Plaza, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Forbes Library, 20 West St., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Manna Community Center, 48 Elm St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, June 19: Manna Community Center, 48 Elm St., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 20: Division of Community Care community room, 1 Roundhouse Plaza, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Forbes Library, 20 West St., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St., Florence, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Manna Community Center, 48 Elm St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, June 21: Division of Community Care community room, 1 Roundhouse Plaza, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Forbes Library, 20 West St., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Also, the Northampton Police Department lobby, 29 Center St. is available 24/7 during the week.
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.
Transportation and Parking Commission
An all-way stop at the intersection of Hatfield Street and Cooke Avenue, and potential no-parking zones at the intersection of Cooke Avenue and Pines Edge Drive, will be discussed by the Transportation and Parking Commission during a virtual meeting at 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 18.
There are now stop signs on the north and south sides of Cooke Avenue at the Hatfield Street intersection. Stop signs would be installed in both directions on Hatfield Street after a safety study was conducted last fall by the city’s consultant, Fuss & O’Neill of Springfield. It recommended that the intersection be converted to an all-way stop based on traffic volume and sight distances.
The new stop signs would be installed for a trial period of 120 days to observe the resulting traffic queues.
The no-parking zones were requested by residents who live near the city-owned parking area at 196 Cooke Ave. near the Broad Brook Greenway, which was recently paved. Residents of Pines Edge Condominiums are concerned that overflow parking on the street impedes emergency vehicles.
The agenda, which includes a Zoom link to participate remotely, is available here:
https://www.northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182024-7934
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