We’re Having a Heat Wave!

Dear Hawley Friends and Neighbors:

Today is pretty darn warm, and tomorrow and Friday are supposed to be much worse. We offer a few resources to deal with this situation.

First, visit this site for the state’s suggestions on keeping cool and healthy.

Second, at the county level, public-health nurse Meg Ryan writes: “I want to make sure you are aware that the emergency response people in the area (specifically HMCC, the Western MA Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition hosted here at the FRCOG) have generators and battery packs available for use in the community.  If you know of a resident who has essential medical equipment that needs electricity they can be borrowed if the power goes out.  One of the issues with extreme heat is that it stresses the electric grid, and the weather pattern also brings the possibility of thunderstorms which might cause downed power lines.  If you know of need, please contact the HMCC duty officer.” The number for that officer is 413-773-1502.

At the town level, if you need to cool off for a little while, I can open the Town Office on Pudding Hollow Road as a cooling center. Just call me at home at 413-339-4747, and I’ll meet you there.

At the personal level, do your best to stay out of the sun, hydrate with some delicious Hawley well water, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

That’s all I have for today, although of course i want to remind you that our town Independence Day party will take place this Saturday, July 4, at 11 a.m. at the Town Office. Come if you can! Grilled odds and ends and beverages will be provided thanks to our firefighters and to generous donors, but we’d love to have you bring a salad, a side dish, or a dessert. Let me know what you think you’ll be bringing if you can. The festivities will end in plenty of time for Mohawk Trail Concerts’ free jazz concert at five and of course for family time and fireworks.

I leave you with the AMAZING Ethel Waters singing Irving Berlin’s song “Heat Wave.”

Warmly,

Tinky Weisblat
Gal Friday
Town of Hawley

413-339-5518