Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RDA approves $30,600 contract to start invasive‑species work at Northfield Point
Summary
The authority approved a $30,600 Beta Group contract to prepare bid documents, support bidding and provide construction oversight for an invasive‑species management package at Northfield Point; the work would use carryover Seaport grant funds and aims to allow on‑the‑ground clearing before a larger revetment project.
The Fall River Redevelopment Authority voted May 28 to approve a $30,600 contract with Beta Group for bid preparation, bid support and construction oversight of an invasive‑species management package at Northfield Point.
The authority said the effort will use remaining funds from a fiscal 2024 Seaport Economic Council grant that it has asked to carry forward into fiscal 2026. Sarah Page explained the RDA has about $106,000 remaining in the earlier Seaport grant and has requested approval from the Seaport Economic Council to carry that money forward so some invasive‑species work can begin while full revetment designs continue.
Why it matters: Northfield Point is part of a larger shoreline revetment and public‑access project. Starting invasive‑species control now would remove vegetation that will otherwise complicate the revetment construction and allow the RDA to meet a grant condition that certain work be completed by the end of September, per the funding amendment.
Contract and timeline: Page said Beta’s scope includes preparing bid documents, supporting the procurement process and providing construction management. Beta estimated the construction work will be between $50,000 and $60,000; the initial Beta contract of $30,600 will pay for the bid and oversight work and to get the procurement process moving. Page said MassDEP approvals for related permits were received between the day before and the meeting day, and a notice of intent had been filed with the conservation commission for a June 2 hearing.
Funding context: the RDA has an existing Seaport grant originally for $396,000; Page said approximately $106,000 remains and the authority has requested permission to use some of that money for the invasive work. The authority approved the Beta contract by roll call vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize drawings and updated budgets when the project engineer returns from leave, then submit the application to the Seaport Economic Council for the fiscal 2026 grant cycle (portal opened June 1). Beta will prepare bid documents so the invasive‑species removal work can proceed quickly if the carried funds are approved.
Authority action: the board approved Beta Group proposal dated 05/28/2025 in the amount of $30,600 to prepare the invasive‑species bid package and provide construction oversight.
