ERVING — The first three articles on the warrant for the Jan. 31 Special Town Meeting involve measures necessary for a reconstruction project slated for Bridge Street.

The warrant’s second article pertains to taking by eminent domain 4,749 square feet of Maple Avenue land owned by resident Renata Pienkawa. But while the words “eminent domain” might be negatively perceived, Town Administrator Bryan Smith said the impending acquisition should more properly be called a “friendly taking,” because the town has Pienkawa’s support and cooperation.

Smith explained the property owner has offered to donate the land to correct a frontage issue on Maple Avenue. Attempts by the Greenfield Recorder to contact Pienkawa were unsuccessful this week, but the warrant states the land was deeded to her on July 13, 1993.

The two other related articles pertain to the layout of Bridge Street and Maple Avenue. The first article asks voters if they agree to redesignate Bridge Street as a public way, with its layout spanning 49½ feet from Route 2 to the Millers River. The other asks them to accept Maple Avenue as a public way, with its layout being 33 feet wide. Smith said these roads are not considered public ways because they were built by the mills in town more than a century ago.

Smith explained the Bridge Street reconstruction project that necessitates the three warrant articles includes a retaining wall on that street as well as the milling and repaving of Maple Avenue.

The Special Town Meeting warrant has an additional six articles that Smith said mostly amount to “just housekeeping.” The meeting will be held at Erving Elementary School starting at 7 p.m.

“I’m hoping it’s a pretty straightforward Town Meeting,” Smith said.

Adoption of the fourth article would add $14,515.80 to fiscal year 2024’s $176,828.30 in elected official compensation that was approved at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting. This article requires a two-thirds majority for adoption.

The fifth article pertains to transferring $22,716.85 from free cash to the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund and Article 7 has to do with appropriating $75,000 for the purchase, installation and any related costs of a modular office unit on Public Works Boulevard. Smith explained this would offer public works employees some office space until a more permanent space can be constructed.

The warrant’s final article is identical to the one appearing on warrants of other Special Town Meetings, including Wendell on Jan. 31 and New Salem on Feb. 1. It asks voters if they agree to the proposed five-year contract with F.M. Kuzmeskus for school transportation services.

Caitlin Sheridan, director of finance and operations at Erving School Union 28, explained the F.M. Kuzmeskus bid was the only one received. She mentioned this bid is higher than the previous contract, also with F.M. Kuzmeskus, due mostly to a nationwide bus driver shortage and increased fuel costs.

The full warrant can be viewed at tinyurl.com/2024ErvingSTM. More information about the public way layouts of Bridge Street and Maple Avenue can be found at tinyurl.com/RoadLayouts.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.