DALTON, Mass. — With summer upon us and many hot days, the Board of Health has established a cooling assistance program to help vulnerable residents. 

 

Using approximately $650 from the Board of Health fiscal year 2026 budget, the board purchased five fans and two air conditioners to be distributed to heat sensitive community members.  

 

Additionally, resident Daniel Filiault has offered to donate two used air conditioners, said board member James "Jimbo" Doucette. 

 

The application says, "applications will begin to be reviewed July 7, 2026, and will continue to be reviewed until all units are given away." As of publication the town has not received any applicants. Find an application here. 

 

"I would like to get them out as soon as we can to help people deal with the heat," board Chair Nancy Hopper said at the meeting on Tuesday. 

 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat-sensitive community members are those who are at higher risk of getting sick from the heat including people over 65, infants and children, pregnant people and those with chronic conditions such as, asthma, heart condition. 

 

When your body gets too hot, it can lead to heat-related illness. Recognize the warning signs and seek medical attention if you believe your body is overheating.

 

The symptoms include:

The center advises people to stay indoors when it's hot outside to protect themselves and stay hydrated. During cases of extreme heat above 90 degrees, do not use fans as they can increase body temperature.  

 

Use air conditioning or find a location that has one by dialing 211, visiting the National Center for Healthy Housing's Cooling Centers or your local health department or emergency management agency. 

 

The town's cooling assistance program is inspired by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's AC Distribution Program which the town participated in 2024. 

 

When the town participated it received the same number of applicants as it did units, Hopper said.