Beat the summer heat at town cooling centers

As summer days stretch on and temperatures rise into the 80s and 90s it can be hard for some people to keep cool and stay safe. This summer, the town of Dartmouth will open cooling centers for all ages at the Council on Aging, the North Branch Library and Southworth Library.

“Right now we are trying to bring awareness that it is an option for anyone in the community who may need or want access to a cool indoor space for free,” said Communications Coordinator Magnolia McComish. 

The cooling center at the Council on Aging, 628 Dartmouth St., will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Council on Aging will hold extended hours, shown on the town’s website, during “extreme heat.”

According to McComish, the decision to extend hours at the Council on Aging will be made by Emergency Management Director Tim Sheehan and Director of Public Health Christopher Michaud when they expect it to be 90 degrees or hotter for multiple days in a row. 

The North Branch Library, 211 Cross Road, will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 12 to 8 p.m.

Southworth Library, 732 Dartmouth St., will be open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For assistance reaching a cooling center, contact the Dartmouth Council on Aging at 508-999-4717.