The shelter is operating on a temporary 35-day permit, which means the shelter cannot operate more than seven days in a row within that period.
AMHERST –The homeless shelter opened Monday night after a two-week delay and hosted 10 people each of the first nights.
Town Manager John P. Musante said the nights went smoothly. He said people are hearing about the shelter through word of mouth.
The shelter is operating on a temporary 35-day permit, which means the shelter cannot operate more than seven days in a row within that period.
The Springfield-based Milestone Ministries, which contracted with the town, is having the partial sprinkler system installed in the First Baptist Church, the site of the shelter, Musante said.
Milestone Executive Director Jack Desroches could not be reached for comment.
That sprinkler and showers must be in place along with other improvements to satisfy state requirements to become a permanent shelter. Officials are hoping the work can be completed before the temporary permit expires.
The shelter was set to open Nov. 1, but officials delayed the opening to delay the start of the 35-day clock.
Last year, the town opened a warming place at the church, the first time the town provided any emergency sheltering. That facility did not provide beds and sleeping mats and did not open until December.
This year, people can sleep at the shelter, which is open from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. and can accommodate between 15 and 17 people.
Milestone Ministries was the sole bidder for the contract.
The town sought new bids when only Milestone and the Springfield-based Center for Human Development submitted bids earlier. The Center for Human Development ran the warming place last year.