Putnam Officials Talk Heat, Closed Mahopac Senior Center

The William Koehler Senior Center in Mahopac will be closed for the next few days while the facility's water pump is repaired.

County Executive MaryEllen Odell and Office for the Aging Director Pat Sheehy announced the news Monday. They said the decision was made for "the safety of our seniors."

Officials anticipate that the center, located at 180 Route 6, will reopen 8 a.m. Thursday. 

In the meantime, folks who visit the Koehler Center are welcome to stop by other 'Friendship Centers": Putnam Valley at the Town Park, the American Legion Hall on Cedar Street in Cold Spring, and the Senior Center in the Don Smith Complex on Old Route 6 in Carmel.

“All adult daycare participants will be transported to the Daycare Program at the Putnam Valley Friendship Center,” Sheehy said in a statement. 

In the same statement, Putnam officials urged residents to know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion. They pointed to the New York State Department of Health website for details: http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1243. 

Commissioner of Emergency Services Adam B. Stiebling noted that the hot weather is “expected to affect the Lower Hudson River Valley Region for the next four to five days.”

Here are some tips Stiebling provided:

• Use an air conditioner or go to an air-conditioned location, drink plenty of water, avoid any strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
• Wear a sunscreen but stay out of the sun as much as possible, and take cool showers and baths.

The Office for the Aging is available at 845-808-1700 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.