The city is making significant strides toward establishing a warming center at the Cumming School, with a community meeting scheduled for November 18th at 6 PM in the Somerville High School cafeteria. This initiative aims to address the urgent need for emergency warming facilities as winter approaches.
Liaison Hutter confirmed that the city has received permission to explore the use of the Cumming School for this purpose and is currently assessing the necessary modifications to ensure the building meets safety and accessibility standards. The city is committed to having a warming center operational this winter, with updates expected to be shared at the upcoming community meeting.
The Cumming School is currently unused, and preparations are underway to make it suitable for the warming center. This includes upgrades to fire safety systems and accessibility features, with various city departments collaborating to expedite the process. Director Antonavica noted that preliminary work has already begun, including clearing out spaces within the building to facilitate necessary upgrades.
While specific timelines for the center's operational status remain uncertain, city officials are working diligently to finalize details and ensure the facility is ready before the cold weather sets in. The community meeting will provide residents with further information regarding the center's status and operational plans.