Rural western Massachusetts community with vast outdoor recreation
Spanning about 14.5 square miles, Erving was the last Franklin County Town incorporated in 1838, and now is a town of approximately 1,665 residents. While Erving offers a mix of residential homes and small and large businesses, most land is heavily forested or farmland. "There is a lot of pride in Erving," says Erving Town Administrator Bryan Smith. "It is a rural town, but I think it is unique because of all the outdoor activities. We have hiking trails, Laurel Lake at Erving State Park, and multiple climbing locations." While the recreation spaces are a draw for both residents and tourists, a major attraction to the area is the real estate tax rate. The tax remains lower than much of the rest of western Massachusetts at $9.22 for residential and open space.
Erving's history and early economy were tied to the milling industry like the rest of western Massachusetts. While most of the surrounding area's mills have shut down, Erving Industries Paper Mill on the banks of the Millers River has been up and running since 1905. The mill operates on a 24/7 schedule and remains the largest employer in town.
Chance for homes on multiple acres
Erving's home inventory is spread throughout the town, and a handful of properties are perched on more than an acre of land. On average, a listing sells after about 22 days on the market, compared to the national average of 45 days. Prices range from just under $100,000 to around $500,000, with a median price of about $325,000. "The market is moving slower than it has in the past, and it's because of a lack of inventory," says Donald Mailloux, an Erving resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Goggins Associates. "However, people still want to live here because the town has lower taxes than surrounding areas, it has good town services, including rubbish pick up, and there is so much outdoor recreation nearby. Because of that, listings move fast when they do get on the market."
Untraditional school path for Erving students
Being in a rural community, Erving's youngest residents will attend two different school districts for public school. Students will attend Erving Elementary School for kindergarten through sixth grade. The school, which scores a C-minus, is a part of the Erving School Union #28. The district dates to 1901 and was formed as a cost-saving measure for the small towns in the area. Children will attend the Gill-Montague Regional School District for secondary education, which scores a C on Niche and partners with the city. The district allows 11th and 12th-grade students to start taking college courses while earning high school credits through the early entrant program. High school students also have the option to apply to the Franklin County Technical High School, which is a four-year high school that offers a traditional education with hands-on vocational training.
Outdoor recreation draws tourists to Erving
Erving is a popular recreation destination for New Englanders, home to multiple parks and spaces that provide adventure. Erving State Forest is home to Laurel Lake, which has a public beach and numerous hiking or horseback riding trails. The town also offers hiking trails as it is part of the New England Trail, a 235-mile-long-distance hiking trail stretching from Connecticut to the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Border. Rock climbers come to scale the Rose Ledge, which has multiple climbs up its 40-to-60-foot cliff.
The Erving Recreation Commission maintains five parks in the community, which have been renovated over the last few years, while the Veterans Field is getting an update. The commission holds summer camps for kindergarten through sixth grade with sports, games, and trips to Laurel Lake and French King Bridge Bowling. "Our park system is awesome. We have five parks, but it is hard to keep track because they keep adding to them. It speaks to our quality of life," Mailloux says.
Potential for development on Care Drive
In March 2020, Erving opened a brand-new public library on Care Drive. The 8,300-square-foot building has become a gathering place for locals with its collection of books for all ages, community spaces for young residents and free internet. Directly across the street is the Erving Senior Center, which provides a place for seniors to stay active. The center offers its members a range of services, from transportation for shopping trips to exercise classes.
In 2024, Erving residents voted on a possible housing development to begin construction along Care Drive. The plan will build 26 new affordable homes for residents. The breakdown of the new housing includes 18 age-restricted (62-plus) single-story units and then eight additional multigenerational units with two or three bedrooms. "We are hopefully optimistic that this plan will get approved. It is a part of town's master plan, and we have partnered with a builder familiar with the area," Smith says.
Annual fall festival and other community gatherings
The Erving Library and Senior Center host regular events throughout the year. The town also puts together a few seasonal events, including an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, its annual Fall Festival each September, and the Spooktacular Halloween event, which features a trunk or treat.
Two state routes in town
Massachusetts State Routes 2 and 63 dissect Erving, with MA-2 forming the southern boundary and MA-63 working as the western border. MA-2 is the town's connection point to Interstate 91. It's less than 20 miles south of the Vermont and New Hampshire state lines and is 42 miles from the Worcester Regional Airport.
Crime
The neighborhoods in Erving have a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. Erving has its own police department as well as a career firefighters supporting its volunteer fire company. "With the two-state route roadways in town, unfortunately, we do see some crime with people passing through the roads. However, we are fortunate, and our residents feel safe living in Erving," Smith says.
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