ERVING — Sixty-one voters gathered at Erving Elementary School on Wednesday, where they passed all 34 articles during Annual Town Meeting, including the $1.1 million expansion of Center Cemetery and $1 million in repairs to the Erving Center Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The meeting, which lasted just under two hours, saw no questions or debate on more than half the articles. Article 8, which had an error in the fiscal year, required an amendment.
FY27 budget
Following approval of the first eight articles, Article 9 was the first to inspire in-depth discussion, leading to a 41-17 vote, with one abstention.
The fiscal year 2027 operating budget, at $8.1 million, is seeing a $891,822 increase from FY26. Health insurance, at $2.89 million, is driving the bulk of the increase.
This article also featured an amendment, as voters approved a $50,000 shift from the $2.8 million benefits line item to the $904,777 public works line item to backfill a vacant position. Selectboard Chair Jacob Smith explained this was possible due to a change in health care costs from what was originally budgeted.
Where concern arose was in a $145,320 salary line item for a new, full-time information technology (IT) director and existing system administrator. The Selectboard has met to review and deliberate on the job description for this role.
Board of Assessors member Mark Burnett asked if the town will maintain the system administrator’s position or if the IT director will take over. Outgoing Selectboard member James Loynd said a determination has yet to be made, and a job description for the IT director will be publicized.
“That seems like that would be something we would decide before we would vote, in my opinion,” Burnett said, clarifying that the salary and budget line is for both of these roles.
Loynd spoke to the need for the position when resident Brenda Silva inquired about the cost for an in-house job versus whether it could be contracted out.
“We need to make sure that we are doing our due diligence to protect sensitive information to you, our community members, that the town stores,” Loynd said. He added that the town is seeking a “specialized individual” and is following market trends for such a position, though the rate offered is still below the average salary for such a role.
The amended Article 9 went on to pass by a majority, but with Moderator Richard Peabody pointing out the votes against the budget.
“I would like to note 41 ‘yes’,’ 17 ‘no’s’ and one abstain; the 17 ‘no’s’ are making a statement that, I believe, should be heard,” Peabody said.
Capital projects
The Center Cemetery expansion and repairs to the Erving Center Wastewater Treatment Plant inspired the bulk of discussion.
Article 29 requested voters authorize the town to borrow $1.1 million for the cemetery expansion, as space in the 7.5-acre property has become increasingly limited, with only seven plots remaining. Audience questions related to the cost of the project, the scope of expanding a cemetery, abutters’ notices and changes to plot pricing.
Cemetery Commission members Laura Bezio and Holly Fitzpatrick explained the plan to expand the existing cemetery across the street from the current land off of Mountain Road, with approximately 100 new traditional burial plots, as well as areas for green burials and columbarium niches for cremated remains. There will also be a new driveway for vehicle access. Fitzpatrick said the normal rate to buy a burial lot of $25 will be going up to meet the market rate with the expansion.
Article 30 sought approval to borrow $1 million to replace two clarifiers at the Erving Center Wastewater Treatment Plant, which the town owns, but is run by Erving Industries Inc. through an agreement the company has with the town. Water and Wastewater Superintendent Peter Sanders explained the two clarifiers are as old as the 50-year-old plant, and the corrosive conditions of the wastewater deteriorated them.
Incoming Selectboard member Jacquelyn Boyden asked how these clarifiers became so deteriorated and how much preventative maintenance was done. Sanders said that, admittedly, more preventative measures should have been taken.
Boyden urged the Selectboard to work with Erving Industries to make sure the town isn’t caught off-guard by maintenance. Smith explained that the Selectboard has done studies on what is needed for managing the plant, and is also working with Erving Industries to decide how the town can keep supporting the plant as its owner.
Additional articles
Some of the other articles that passed during the meeting include:
- Appropriating $400,000 from the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund to fund health insurance for retirees.
- Using $2.05 million from Capital Stabilization to fund nine projects, including $600,000 to match a MassDevelopment grant for the former International Paper Mill site redevelopment, and $420,000 to cover the remaining cost of a new fire truck.
- Appropriating $72,160 from Water System Capital Stabilization Fund for the design portion of two roadway projects on Lillians Way and River Road.
- Adopting a bylaw to formally establish the committee that oversees the Pearl B. Care Museum.
- Adopting additional tax exemptions for veterans and seniors.
