Concord Light Anticipates Peak Demand and Harvey Wheeler Open for Cooling

With a couple more scorchers on tap for today and tomorrow, the town has taken some precautions and issued two advisories.

The on Main Street will be open to the public today and Friday from noon until 9 p.m. for use as a cooling center for anyone who needs to get out of the nearly 100-degree heat.

"Basically we're doing what we can to provide respite in a place for people who don't have air conditioning," Fire Chief Mark Cotreau said.

Residents are also reminded that both branches of the — the Main and Fowler branches — are air conditioned and open to the pubilc. Those requiring transportation to a cooling center may call the Council on Aging at (978) 318-3020 during regular business hours. Anyone requiring assistance after hours may call the Public Safety Dispatch Center at (978) 318-3400.

For tips on ways to stay cool during extremely hot days according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), click here.

The Concord Municipal Light Plant, for the third time this summer, is calling on residents to voluntarily reduce electricity use this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon during .

"Please reduce, reschedule, or curtail your use of electricity between
2-5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday," Carole Hilton of Concord Light said in a statement. "Your help does make a difference in reducing electricity costs to all Concord Light customers."

Hilton suggested a few easy ways of cutting down on electricity use during those peak hours, including turning the thermostat on your air conditioner up a few degrees, or shutting off any idle computers and printers. Avoiding use of other appliances such as washing machines, dryers, or swimming pool pumps during those hours would significantly help as well.

Hilton suggested turning the peak demand hours into fun family dinners like a picnic in the yard or a cookout.