ERVING — Funding the replacement of the Church Street Bridge, as well as the potential for catalyzing a multi-year community access television contract, highlight the 25-article warrant set to come before Annual Town Meeting voters on Wednesday.
The meeting will convene in Erving Elementary School’s gymnasium at 7 p.m. Masks will not be required. The full warrant can be viewed at bit.ly/3P8ylec.
Erving’s proposed fiscal year 2023 budget is $13.42 million, a 6% increase from the fiscal year 2022 budget of nearly $12.58 million. The general operating budget being brought to Town Meeting totals $5.42 million.
Having received word from the state Department of Transportation last year that the Church Street Bridge should be reduced to one-lane traffic, the town is looking to appropriate $1.6 million “for the purpose of planning, permitting and constructing a replacement” through Article 15 on the Town Meeting warrant.
The bridge, constructed in 1940 across Keyup Brook, is about 33 feet wide and spans 16 feet, with significant structural concerns. An indefinite detour was put in place in 2021 and a truck exclusion remains on North and Church streets. Northbound traffic has been detoured to Route 63 or Interstate 91.
“This bridge serves Erving and Northfield residents and is often used as a shortcut by out-of-town folks who are on their way from eastern Massachusetts to Vermont or vice versa,” Assistant Town Planner Mariah Kurtz said in a statement released in conjunction with Town Administrator Bryan Smith and Administrative Assistant Betsy Sicard. “There are constraints (that) make diverting traffic onto North Street challenging.”
A feasibility study was completed by engineering firm Weston & Sampson that yielded multiple construction concepts for Erving to consider. The Selectboard, Finance Committee and Capital Planning Committee agreed on a design that will be proposed to voters. The concrete would have a stone finish and a potential decorative railing. The new structure would be built outside of the existing abutments to limit the impact to the streambed.
In addition to the proposed appropriation at Town Meeting, Kurtz said, grant opportunities are being explored to help fund the project.
Should it be approved, Article 19 would use $20,000 from the Public, Educational and Governmental Access Cable Revenue Account to benefit Erving’s community access TV channel in a multi-year cable contract with Comcast.
Erving entered a one-year contract with Bernardston-Northfield Community Television (BNCTV) in September 2021 that allowed the town to broadcast meetings and announcements. With this agreement expiring in August 2022, passing Article 19 would approve operating costs for fiscal year 2023 and allow the Selectboard to pursue procurement of a multi-year contract to continue the service.
“BNCTV has been excellent to work with,” Erving’s town officials wrote in the joint statement.
Funding would contribute $16,000 toward local access channel operations, $1,000 toward insurance and $3,000 toward equipment. Erving’s officials argued this is a worthy investment during pandemic-plagued times.
“Our residents have become accustomed to being able to view public meetings from home during the pandemic,” their statement reads. “Although the governor’s executive orders allowing remote meetings expire in June, we are trying to keep access to some meetings available. Not everyone can make it to in-person meetings, but would like to stay up to date on topics. The Selectboard prioritizes transparency and believes that the community access option is a great way for residents to be engaged.”
Other spending articles include proposed allocation of $161,383 for elected officials’ salaries; $3.31 million for Erving Elementary School operations; and $637,000 for various capital improvements projects including preparation for a new cemetery and Bridge Street renovations.
Reach Julian Mendoza
at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.