By KENNEDY GRIFFIN
(Franklin County, MA) As the heat rolls into triple digit temperatures Thursday and Friday, Cooling Centers provide a key resource for the public. Access to a free, air conditioned space can prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Franklin County has almost 30 Cooling Centers open and some, like all three Montague Public Libraries, may be offering additional services such as free water bottles.
In Greenfield, the library at 402 Main Street will be open Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the John Zon Community Center at 35 Pleasant Street will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Elm Terrace Community Room at 1 Elm Terrace will be open Thursday from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Senator Jo Comerford’s team has compiled a list of all Franklin County Cooling Centers and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has compiled a list of extreme heat safety tips.