AMHERST — An Adirondack chair beneath the shade of a large tent, and near a misting fan, provided Nik James an escape from the approaching midday sun.
“It’s really nice,” said James, who was also handed a bottle of cold water as he got to the temporary cooling center set up on Pray Street on the morning of July 28. “You couldn’t ask for better relief from the heat.”
Getting out from the elements was an idea shared by Joe Bishop, who lives on Amherst streets and camps in the town’s woods year-round, and finds the heat and humidity to be unbearable.
“It actually helps when it’s very hot because it does keep you very cool,” Bishop said of the cooling center. “It was way too hot over the weekend.”
The site, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is a new initiative between the town — with the Department of Public Works setting up the tent and firefighters putting in the misting fans — and Craig’s Doors: A Home Association, which is staffing the location to make sure everyone stays safe.
With municipal buildings closed and more limited hours at restaurants and stores where people might otherwise stay cool, the tent, a dozen chairs and occasionally snacks and other food are offered. The tent is next to port-a-potties, and there is also a charging station to power up cellphones and other electronic devices.
In Northampton, a traditional cooling center was established at the Senior Center on Conz Street only on Monday. Inside, people could spread out at a safe distance between noon and 4:30 p.m.
Bishop, who has been going to the Amherst cooling center with his friend Clinton Breton, said he finds it unfortunate that the town doesn’t already have the type of 24-hour-a-day, year-round shelter that some cities offer.
The center is expected to be open again Wednesday, though it will be up to Fire Chief Walter “Tim” Nelson, who is the town’s emergency management coordinator, if it will continue to be needed.
Overseeing the Amherst site are people familiar with the guests during the winter at the Craig’s Place shelter, including Frankie MacNeish, a kitchen assistant, and Aimee Whittington, the facility supervisor.
MacNeish said she makes sure people know where they can go to get a meal or store their belongings.
“A few people who are new to the area we’ve been able to give pamphlets about the resource center and the (Amherst) Survival Center,” MacNeish said.
Whittington said she has enjoyed reconnecting to guests she met during the winter. “We’re doing what we can to help people,” Whittington said, adding that she helped to get one person a cellphone that serves as a lifeline.
Those seeking to stay cool are welcome to stay as long as needed, and once they depart the chairs they sit in are cleaned and sanitized to reduce chances of COVID-19 spread.
Craig’s Doors Executive Director Kevin Noonan said he likes the partnership with Amherst officials. “We appreciate the town recognizing the need for it,” Noonan said.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman acknowledged these are unusual circumstances.
“We recognize the places people normally go to seek reprieve from the heat, most are not available,” Bockelman said.
There is also discomfort in having people congregate indoors.
While no one is turned away, the cooling center has been focused on helping people experiencing homelessness.
Bockelman said that Senior Center Director Mary Beth Ogulewicz is reaching out to senior citizens to make sure their needs in staying cool are being met.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
