LEVERETT — With an aging population often affected by heat waves and extreme weather, the Council on Aging is requesting the town establish a policy to ensure there are places in town for residents to stay cool, such as the Leverett Library and the Leverett Public Safety Complex.
Judi Fonsh, who chairs the Council on Aging, said the hope is the Select Board could formalize the locations for cooling opportunities for town elders. These places would mostly be needed during the daytime and early evening.
Select Board member Tom Hankinson said the town has buildings that can be used, but just has to make them available when there are stretches of hot weather.
Fire Chief Mike Visniewski said if the safety complex becomes one of the cooling centers, more planning and supervision may be needed. The five days the library is open, though, should suffice as the main cooling center.
Hankinson said one problem is that people may be reluctant to take advantage of the cooling centers, and the town should be more generous in the ways it attracts people.
Select Board Chairwoman Patricia Duffy suggested that the town could also offer water and snacks as encouragement for people to drop in from their warm homes.
Warming centers that would be established during extreme cold would likely require a more complicated approach and longer hours, Visniewski said.
In other business, the Select Board:
- got an update from David Henion on the possible creation of a cultural district. Henion, who is doing research into the cultural district, said he is meeting with various committees and has spoken with representatives of the Peace Pagoda and local churches, as well as numerous artists. Applications are due to the state in February 2027. One proposal would be to have the cultural district extend from Leverett Pond north to Moore’s Corner, encompassing sites such as the Leverett Crafts & Arts Center and the North Leverett Sawmill;
- thanked Brian Emond for his service as the town’s representative to the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services Advisory Board. Emond is stepping down from that role;
- approved a new Town Hall rental policy that includes limitations on use of electronic equipment and the kitchen, which is no longer safe for food preparation.
