By Celeste Katz Marston — Celeste@theconcordbridge.org
With temperatures soaring into the 90s, the town has open cooling centers and is urging residents to conserve energy and hold off on going wild with watering of lawns.
Cooling centers are set up at:
- The Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main Street, until 4:30 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
- Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main Street, until 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
- Fowler Library branch, 1322 Main Street, until 5 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
Meawhile, with possible peak electricity use ahead Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., the town also urged residents to take energy-saving steps such as turning up the thermostat slightly; delaying the use of pool pumps, washer/dryers, and electric vehicle chargers; and cooking outdoors.
The massive response to a four-alarm fire on Bartkus Farm Road Tuesday also added pressure on the town water supply, and lawn watering is now limited to one day per week before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
“A combination of extreme temperatures, an emergency fire response on Tuesday evening and seasonal start-up issues impacting the availability of Nagog Pond supply have resulted in an urgent need for our customers to reduce outdoor water use, effective immediately,” officials posted to concordma.gov.
“If a notable reduction in lawn watering is not realized within the next 24 to 48 hours, the Concord Public Works Commission will have no choice but to issue a mandatory Lawn Watering Ban to ensure water is available for essential uses, like drinking and fire protection.”
Violators risk a fine of $50 to $100.
Click here to find your watering day or check the town map below — and send your biggest, best photos of how you, your kids, and your pets are beating the heat to news@theconcordbridge.org.
Watering-Day-Map-2024-weblink_202403290834530939
