Commission defers McAllister Towing dredging plan after debate over peer‑review bids

The Fall River Conservation Commission on Aug. 3 deferred action on McAllister Towing & Transportation Co.'s proposal to repair bulkhead features and dredge portions of the terminal basin to -27.43 E1 to accommodate deeper-draft vessels. Staff said the project was routed for peer review and two responsive consultant bids arrived; commissioners debated whether to pay more for a firm with larger commercial-port experience.

Dan Aguilar, the conservation agent, told the commission that five consultants were solicited and two responded. "It is about a $10,000 difference between the 2," he said, describing Beta Group's lower-priced proposal (roughly $12,000—$13,000) and 4th Infrastructure's higher, more specialized bid (about $22,000). Commissioners weighed technical expertise against cost to the applicant; Aguilar noted the applicant would pay consultant fees. A motion was made to accept the Beta Group proposal but the commission subsequently voted to table the matter until the peer review reports are received and reviewed.

Commission members also discussed the portion of the work that falls outside the commission's jurisdiction — notably dredging and disposal, which requires Chapter 91 licensing — and emphasized that peer-review scopes could change depending on what the initial reviews identify. The commission did not make a final substantive decision on dredging authorization and expects the matter to return after the requested peer-review documentation is filed.