Worcester Colleges Enlisted For Heating, Cooling Center Expansion

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester is on the verge of expanding its shelter offerings during extreme temperature events — an item long sought by city councilors.

Worcester emergency management director Charles Goodwin presented an updated disaster plan to councilors during Tuesday night's meeting. In it, Goodwin introduced several new initiatives, including an expansion of heating and cooling centers open during summer and winter extremes.

During the presentation, City Manager Eric Batista told councilors local colleges are best suited to be used as heating and cooling centers because they have facilities like restrooms. Neither Goodwin nor Batista specified which colleges would be used, but said a few institutions are considering agreements with the city. Goodwin said those could be finalized within 30 to 60 days.

"As long as they agree to it, we'll be in a signing process," Goodwin said.

As it stands, Worcester typically offers the senior center along Providence Street, the main library downtown and Friendly House along Wall Street as heating and cooling centers. Those sites are only open during daytime hours.

Nearly a year ago, At-Large Councilor Thu Nguyen asked former city manager Ed Augustus to explore expanding those offerings, and was backed by councilors Candy Mero-Carlson, Sarai Rivera and Etel Haxhiaj. City officials did not report any movement on that request until Tuesday's presentation, which Nguyen praised.

Goodwin also said the city would create a "duty officer" post. Members of the emergency management department will rotate working on-call shifts to respond to disasters that happen during off hours — for example, last year's fire along Gage Street that killed four and left many others homeless. The duty officer program can be reached by dialing the new city 311 hotline.