The opening of a new Amherst homeless shelter is being delayed by two weeks while improvements are made that will allow it to become permanent.
Milestone Ministries’ shelter in the First Baptist Church was scheduled to open yesterday, but will now open Nov. 15. A sprinkler system, showers and other improvements are required before the state will grant permits to make the shelter permanent.
With a temporary permit, the shelter can only operate for 35 consecutive days.
Town Manager John Musante told The Republican of Springfield that the opening date was pushed back to ensure that there will be no interruption of service during winter. The new shelter is expected to accommodate 15 to 17 people a night. (AP)





