Overview:
Erving, Massachusetts is set to begin construction on the Church Street and Farley Road bridges in 2026, with a total estimated cost of $2.78 million. The town is also working on other projects, including the Evergreen Circle multi-generational and senior housing development, and the Erving Elementary roof repair and heat pump project. However, the town is facing a $300,000 impact from health insurance increases, and there are pending cases with the Appellate Tax Board that could affect the upcoming budget process.
Town Administrator Bryan Smith said 2026 is the year for construction on closed bridges in Erving.
Reflecting on what was accomplished in 2025, Erving has made progress on the Church Street bridge replacement and the Farley Road bridge replacement in conjunction with Wendell, but faced some delays on both projects.
In the spring of 2026, Smith said the state Department of Transportation is likely to start construction on the Church Street bridge. The state released construction bid documents for the project over the summer, and it was awarded to AJ Virgilio Construction Inc.
According to the MassDOT project page, the construction bid was for $2.3 million, and the project will include a full replacement of the bridge, with two 10-foot travel lanes, a 4-foot shoulder on each side of the road and sidewalk access for pedestrians.
“We’re enthusiastic about that, but I think we’re also very cognizant that that was longer than we had anticipated,” Smith said about the delay.
The Farley Road bridge replacement also ran into delays due to the scope of repairs necessary. The structure was originally constructed in 1889.
Both Erving and Wendell need to fill a $376,000 funding gap to replace the deteriorated bridge, with the total estimated price tag being $780,000. About $405,000 has been set aside for the project from both towns.
“The hope is that this spring and into the early summer, we will have the Farley Bridge back open,” Smith said. “So 2026 will be the year of getting bridges restored and reopened to our community.”
Other projects that the town will continue to work on in 2026 include the multi-generational and senior housing development, Evergreen Circle, and the Erving Elementary roof repair and heat pump project through the MSBA.
Reflecting on 2025 in Erving, Smith said the town was able to add new staff to its ranks, including Town Planner Glenn Johnson-Mussad, Health Agent David Gillis, Erving Senior & Community Center Director Dulcie McAndrews and Principal Assessor Diane Sumrall.
As Erving charts out its fiscal year 2027 budget, Smith is also anticipating an impact from health insurance increases.
The 20% increase from earlier this year is around $300,000. That number has changed as recently hired employees solidify their health insurance plans. Smith said the strategy on how to fund the increase will be worked out between the Selectboard, treasurer and himself, whether it be from free cash or stabilization.
Smith also said there could be some impact on the FY27 budget as FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. and the Board of Assessors have pending cases with the Appellate Tax Board regarding contested taxes for fiscal years 2023, 2024 and 2025. As these are pending, Smith couldn’t speak to the impact on the upcoming budget process.
Additionally, Appellate Tax Board cases between Northfield Mountain LLC and the town were settled for fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in October. Smith said an estimate for the abatement is roughly $2.4 million.
Smith said the assessors are still working out how to address the cost, but noted there is roughly $2.3 million in the Assessors Overlay Account, with overlay contributions from the FY26 tax rate available.
“I think there will be a deficit in that account that we will either have to raise on the recap sheet as we work on the FY27 budget,” Smith explained, “or we could make a transfer, either from stabilization or free cash, at a Special Town Meeting later this year.”