Cooling Centers to Stay Open Wednesday

Town officials in both Belleville and Nutley say cooling centers will stay open Wednesday to serve residents as the temperature is expected to soar to 97 degrees and afternoon thunderstorms are possible.

Belleville official will keep the Senior Citizens building at 125 Franklin Ave. open Wednesday from now through 10 p.m. and Nutley officials said the Department of Public Affairs building at 149 Chestnut St. is also open from 8 a.m. until at least 4 p.m.

The senior building was opened as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday, according to George Pedalino, Belleville’s director of the office of emergency management. Nutley Commissioner Steven Rogers said Nutley buildings were opened Tuesday morning also.

Rogers, who is director of the Nutley Health Department, said residents should check the Nutley township website for the latest information about the cooling centers.

Belleville and Nutley health officials urge residents to take precautions in the heat.

Health officials offered tips to keep neighbors and pets stay safe during another heat wave.

Residents should refrain from exercising and jogging in the excessively hot and humid weather, and reminded people to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, officials said.

Officials said not to leave pets in cars, since an animal can die in a matter of minutes in these conditions.

Resident are advised that in extreme heat anyone without air conditioning should go to public places, libraries, malls, movie theaters or other buildings, to wear loose, light-colored clothing, drink lots of fluids and check on children and the elderly.

People are urged to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Officials warn that when the weather turns extremely hot and humid, it’s vital to drink plenty of fluids, spend time in cool places and reduce or reschedule any physical activity.

Officials said to remember to check on elderly family members and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

Back on June 20, the Belleville senior citizens center was open until 10 p.m. for two days, while the Public Affairs building was open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for two days.

For information in Nutley, call the Department of Public Affairs at 973-284-4976.

Belleville Fire Chief Robert Caruso advised in June that residents in distress can call police at 973-450-3333 or fire officials at 973-450-3374 if they have a problem.

There are no public pools in Belleville and Nutley, but there is the private Diamond Spring Beach Club on Evergreen Avenue in Nutley.