First Friday hosting outdoor dance classes

TURNERS FALLS — The September First Friday programming in downtown Turners Falls will debut two sunset outdoor dance classes led by Catherine Grace Studios, with the first class starting at 6 p.m. at the Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A.

The first class of the day, Sept. 4, will be a family dance class, with basic ballet, movement games and other activities to bring families and dancers of all ages together. Then at 6:45 p.m., the adult beginner dance class will start, giving those a chance to learn ballet.

On top of these dance classes, businesses will be open late, with musical performances at Breakdown Records, LOOT Found + Made and The Brick House Community Resource Center; karaoke at Music Connection; a Dolly Parton celebration at The Rendezvous; and a history of local labor walk hosted by the Great Falls Discovery Center.

Times and locations of all First Friday events are available on the RiverCulture website at riverculture.org.

Culvert repairs discussed in Erving

ERVING — A 30-inch-wide, 450-foot-long drainage culvert that experienced a sinkhole last winter is being eyed for repairs, with state grant funding sought to cover part of the cost.

The culvert has been in place since the 1970s. Highway Superintendent Glenn McCrory, who spoke to the Selectboard about the issue on Monday, explained that part of the metal pipe culvert, which extends from Moore Street underneath Veterans Memorial Field to Erving Fire Station 2, experienced a sinkhole last winter. The damage was repaired, but two cameras were unable to view the bigger scope of the issue, creating some limitation in understanding any further damage, McCrory confirmed.

McCrory said permanent repair of the culvert would not require a full excavation, but a slip lining method is an option by installing it in segments.

“It could be treated as a repair just like the sewer lines were, instead of excavating it all up and replacing it all,” McCrory said.

Town Administrator Bryan Smith said that as part of this project, there would be two maintenance points added along the culvert that would allow access for routine maintenance or repairs, as only two openings are available on Moore Street and behind the Fire Station.

McCrory said the design, environmental permitting and bidding by engineering firm Tighe & Bond would cost $98,500. The total project cost, including a 20% project contingency, comes out to $415,000.

As for funding, some grant options from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation exist, including a $150,000-capped grant program that covers the cost of design for highways and roads. This program requires a local match, Smith noted. The next opening for funding applications is April 2027.

Through further discussion about a timeline, grant application preparation and local funding sources, the plan is to find a source of local funding to pull a local match from and to make a recommendation to the Selectboard at an upcoming meeting.

Sept. 5: Learn the history of Keith Papermill Co. strike

TURNERS FALLS — Learn about the Keith Papermill Co. strike that took place during the Great Depression during a program on Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at 2 p.m. at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A.

Attendees will learn about the strike carried out by 90 women and eight men, with information coming from old newspapers, photographs and maps. The program will take place in the Great Hall and is intended for those ages 8 and older.

Puzzle swap coming to Erving Public Library

ERVING — The Erving Public Library at 2 Care Drive will host a puzzle swap on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Attendees don’t need to bring a puzzle in order to take a puzzle.