Berkshires Opens Warming Centers, Provides Safety Resources Ahead of Frigid Weekend

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A back-to-back weather threat is developing as an Extreme Cold Warning tonight gives way to a major Winter Storm Warning starting Sunday morning. Dangerously cold wind chills of 25 to 35 below zero will persist through Saturday afternoon, creating a high risk of frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Conditions will remain life-threatening for those without proper shelter or heating, and pets should be kept indoors.
 
Beginning at 7 AM Sunday and lasting through 7 PM Monday, a long-duration winter storm will then impact all of eastern New York and western New England, bringing 12 to 18 inches of heavy snow. Travel will become very dangerous, particularly Sunday night when snowfall rates may exceed one inch per hour, severely reducing visibility. If you must travel, the National Weather Service advises keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle with a flashlight, food, and water.
 

Regional Warming Centers: Where to Stay Warm

 
Local public safety departments and community organizations have established the following short-term warming sites to provide refuge from the sub-zero temperatures.
 
North Adams
  • Police Station Front Lobby: Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • North Adams Public Library: Open Friday (10 am to 5 pm), Saturday (10 am to 1pm) 
  • Living Hope Church: Open Friday (8 am to 1 pm), Saturday (8 am to noon)  
  • First Baptist Church: Open Saturday (9 am to noon) 
  • North Adams City Hall: Open Friday (8 am to 4pm)

Williamstown

  • Williamstown Police: Open Saturday and Sunday (Residents in need of shelter can call dispatch at (413) 458-5733 to gain access).

Pittsfield

  • The Berkshire Athenaeum: Saturday (10 am to 5 pm), Sunday (8 am to 2 pm)
  • 21 Pearl St.: Every night (10 pm to 8 am)

Great Barrington

  • Town Hall

  • libraries 

  • Claire Teague Senior Center

  • Berkshire South Community Center (Standard Hours)

Essential Cold Weather Safety Tips

Home Protection & Water Safety

The Dalton Fire and Water Departments, along with other regional agencies, recommend the following to prevent property damage:

  • The "Drip" Rule: Allow a very thin stream of water to run from faucets located on exterior walls to prevent pipe freezes.

  • Thermostat Consistency: Avoid dropping the heat at night; keep a steady temperature to ensure pipes in walls stay above freezing.

  • Open Cabinets: Keep kitchen and bathroom sink cabinets open to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.

  • Pipe Thawing: If pipes freeze, use a hair dryer or space heater. Never use an open flame.

Personal Health & Pets

  • The Three-Layer System: Wear a moisture-wicking base, an insulating middle layer (wool/fleece), and a windproof outer shell.

  • Pet Safety: Keep pets indoors. If they must go out, limit time to a few minutes and wipe paws to remove salt and ice-melt chemicals.

  • Check on Neighbors: Residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors or those living alone to ensure their heating systems are functioning.

Winter Storm & Municipal Impact

Following the extreme cold, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for Sunday and Monday, with up to 16 inches of snow possible.

  • Williamstown Town Hall: Closed Monday, Jan 26.

  • Pittsfield Snow Ops: Moving to 12-hour shifts starting early Sunday. No on-street parking, including on both sides of the street, will be allowed between 7 p.m. Saturday, January 24 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 26. Residents in and around downtown Pittsfield are encouraged to use the McKay Street parking garage for parking, which will be open to the public free of charge starting Saturday, January 24 through the duration of the snow event. Non-permitted vehicles are prohibited from parking or standing in any open municipal or school parking lot between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. Vehicles found in violation of the above parking regulations may be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

  • Road Salt Warning: DPW officials warn that road salt becomes significantly less effective in temperatures below 10°F. Expect icy surfaces even after treatment.

Emergency Contact Directory

  • Emergencies: 9-1-1

  • North Adams Police (Non-Emergency): (413) 664-4944

  • Williamstown Police (Non-Emergency): (413) 458-5733

  • Dalton Fire District: (413) 684-0500

  • National Grid (Power Outages): 1-800-465-1212

  • Berkshire Gas: 1-800-292-5012

 

Tags: snow & ice,   snow emergencies,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: Allendale Pines North

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for an inexpensive home to raise your family in? Then this might be the home for you. And if not, there's a couple other options.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week we are showcasing model homes at Allendale Pines North.

Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.

The Monroe with a full porch and with a half-porch, and The Aspire are available to move into in March. 

All the models have three bedrooms and two baths in 1,280 square feet, and include two parking spaces. The Monroe full-porch is on the market for $194,900, Monroe half-porch $189,900, and The Aspire for $204,900. View a video tour here.

The lot rent is $550 a month and it includes trash removal and recycling, as well as water and sewer. Tenants are responsible for their own utilities and lawn care/snow removal. Dogs and cats are allowed, for up to two pets.

We spoke with Val Whaling from Teton Management about the new homes.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

The three models — Monroe Full- Porch, Monroe Half -Porch, and The Aspire — are Titan Home products manufactured by Champion Homes and stand out in the current market because:

  • The purchase price of these homes is well below current market rate single-family homes in Berkshire County.

  • The 5 Star Energy-Efficient rating (featuring energy-efficient windows and high- performance insulation) and one-year warranty on the home, sets these homes apart from older, stick-built homes.

  • These homes are built to strict HUD standards and include structural integrity in order to meet federal standards for durability, safety and wind resistance.

Are there any stand-out design features? 

Stand out features include: open concept floorplan, covered porches, stainless steel appliances, large laundry room /mudrooms, and large glass walk-in showers.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for? 

First time homebuyers/ professionals preferring home ownership vs. renting, empty nesters wanting to downsize, and cost-conscious individuals preferring the affordability of these homes.

What's the neighborhood like? 

Allendale Pines North will be comprised of 22 brand-new homes, on individual lots, set on beautiful property, neighboring the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The property is located at 395 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, offering proximity to retail shopping and dining. Additionally, Allendale Pines North property is well managed by a reputable owner/operator. (All adult community residents are approved via community application approval process.).

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

"Imagine the cost savings of owning a brand-new, energy-efficient home, easy to maintain and allowing the convenience of modern day and easy living, in a quiet, well-managed community."

What does the home come with? 

Included are: Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances (refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, and gas stove/oven), and closets equipped with shelf/hanging rod. Plus an 8-by-10-foot Amish built shed, two wooden entrance stairs with wooden handrails and black wrought iron spindles, two-car driveway, sidewalks and brand-new water/sewer infrastructure.

You can find out more about these homes on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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