The Fall River Redevelopment Authority on Nov. 20 received an update that work on the Northfield Point revetment is advancing and took action to authorize contracting tied to a state earmark.

Karen Martin, the Authority's project manager, told the board the stonework is "proceeding along" and that crews have been placing toe stone during low tides to stabilize slopes. "So it's easier to do it when it's not underwater," she said, and added the contractor is finalizing a roughly 50- to 100-foot finished section that engineers will review. Martin said she is "hoping by our next board meeting, there'll be a final requisition and release of retainage for everything."

Martin also reported that the Executive Office of Economic Development has funded a $125,000 earmark secured by Representative Viola. The board voted to authorize the chair to sign the contract documents associated with that earmark so the Authority can begin drawing from the grant.

The action clears a funding step for ongoing shoreline stabilization work, which Martin said the Authority expects to largely finish by December if weather and tides permit. No new timeline for any remaining closeout work was provided at the meeting.

The board discussed project inspection arrangements; Martin said engineers from Foff Engineering and a contractor representative will perform a boat inspection before the next meeting. The meeting record shows the board then entered a motion and recorded affirmative votes to authorize the chair to execute the documents connected to the $125,000 award.

The Authority did not provide an updated total project budget or a revised completion schedule at the meeting; those details may appear in forthcoming contract paperwork and the next board packet.