submitted newsNORTH COUNTY, PITTSFIELD Mass. — With frigid temperatures expected Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday,
Feb. 4, the following warming centers will be available in the city of Pittsfield and Town of Williamstown for those who may need some relief from the cold.
NORTH ADAMS
Living Hope Church – Feb. 3; 8:00 a.m. – 8 p.m.
45 River Street, North Adams
Friday, February 3rd, the Hope Center will be open 8am to 8pm to provide a place for the homeless and needy to find warmth. Hot coffee, food, hats, scarves and coats are available.
North Adams Public Library — Normal hours of operation
74 Church Street, North Adams
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am – 5pm
Wednesday: 10am – 8pm!
Saturday: 10am – 1pm
Sunday: closed
WILLIAMSTOWN
Williamstown Police Station
825 Simonds Road, Williamstown
Phone: (413) 458-5733
“In anticipation of the extreme temperatures expected in the next several days, we are reminding citizens that our station can serve as an emergency warming center if you have need of a place to warm up. Those needing such a location can speak with the dispatcher on duty to discuss their needs further.”
PITTSFIELD
• Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, 330 North St. The center will be open 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Friday and
Saturday. Coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks will be available. 413-499-9346.
• Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave. The library will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 10
a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. 413-499-9480.
• First United Methodist Church, 55 Fenn St. The church will be open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and
Saturday. Lunch will be served on Saturday. 413-499-0866.
Additionally, the shelter housed in the former St. Joseph’s High School at 22 Maplewood Ave., n 24
hours each day for those seeking relief.
To arrange transportation to any of these locations, please call the Senior Center at 499-9346 or the city’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at 499-9345.
Regarding overnight shelter services, please contact Barton’s Crossing at 442-1445 for information on available resources in Pittsfield.
For those dealing with weather-related emergencies after-hours, please call the Pittsfield Police Department (448-9700) who will provide further assistance specific to these matters.
As city officials continue to monitor the weather, an update will be provided through the city’s CodeRED notification system with more information.
Advice from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA):
- Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your arms, legs, hands and feet. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
- Follow recommended safety precautions when using space heaters, a fireplace, or a woodstove to heat your home. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
- Make sure emergency generators or secondary heating systems are well ventilated.
- If you lose heating, move into a single room. At night, cover windows and external doors with extra blankets or sheets.
- Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspapers covered in plastic to prevent them from freezing. Let a trickle of warm water run from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.
- If your pipes freeze, open all faucets all the way, remove any insulation, and heat the frozen pipe with a hair dryer or wrap with towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.
- Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need extra help.
