The Rockland Report 04-05-2013

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Awarded center line painting contract to Markings, Inc. of Pembroke, MA.
 Awarded environmental consulting services contract to Ransom Consulting, Inc., of Portland for the Brownfields Program.
 The application for Rockland’s re-designation as a Coast Guard City is complete. The application will now be forwarded to the local Coast Guard unit for their review, comments and endorsement. Once the local review is complete, the application will be forwarded to the Coast Guard Commandant of Governmental & Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. for final approval.
 The four properties acquired by the City recently due to non-payment of taxes have been secured and they will be maintained by the City pending determination of their disposition.
 Held monthly department head meeting.
 Met with MDOT officials to review spring/summer paving projects for Main Street from Park Street north to Maverick Street intersection and Union Street from Main Street south to Park Street.
 Attended listening session with MDOT and downtown businesses at the RMS offices to review proposed paving work.
 Attended RMS board of directors meeting.
 Along with the Finance Director we continue to working on the budget with department heads.
 Conducted multiple departmental visits to discuss current issues and projects with department heads.
OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Repaired a sewer line at Center Street. Removed a manhole during the repair, therefore we’ll need to go back and replace the manhole.
 Responded to a complaint of water in the basement at Grasshopper Shop. They started getting water in the basement about a year ago. They were instructed to seal drains to the sewer line.
 Continued to complete manhole surveys when time permitted.
 Vacuumed grease and debris in Glenwood Avenue pump station wetwell.
 Repaired the sodium hypochlorite transfer pump.
 Repaired a basement sump pump.
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
In addition to responding to 178 calls for services this past week and making nine arrests; summons were made for various offenses, including OUI, Sex Offense, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespassing and traffic offenses. Officers handled six
traffic crashes. Along with other duties and shift assignments, members of the police department were involved in the following highlights this past week:
 Sergeant Camporiale attended the Knox County Triad meeting last week.
 An Officer attended the “every 15 Minutes” program meetings at Ocean Side East High School concerning the next event being held on May 2, 2013.
 CID assisted Knox County Sheriff’s office with missing woman complaint. The woman was located and the subsequent investigation resulted in a male suspect arrested for Domestic Assault.
 CID investigated a sexual abuse of a minor and charged a suspect.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Followed up and confirmed CDBG programs and current grants due to close; including Downtown (“Streetscape”) and the funding for Ferry and Winslow-Holbrook Parks.
 Review and consideration of funding options for Harbor projects, in consultation with Harbor Master.
 Consideration of options and meetings with bank and DECD regarding possible funding for expansion of new business in City.
 Continued research and development of CED strategic plan.
 Followed up with business interested in City revolving loan fund, coordination with the Assistant to the City Manager on same.
 Reviewed with the Assistant to the City Manager on implementation of Brownfield Program (EPA Grant).
 Attended meeting and a tour of Dragon Cement facilities on waterfront.
 Attended Maine International Trade Center event; network to consider strategy implications for investments from Atlantic Canada.
OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
In addition to responding to the normal flow of fire and EMS calls, apparatus checks, cleaning, repairs and maintenance to the fleet and cleaning and maintenance of the quarters, the following occurred:
 The Fire Chief was honored to attend, and be asked to speak at, the retirement ceremony for Chief Bruce Woodward of the Rockport Fire Department who retired last week after 42 years of service as Chief. Rockland’s Tower 3 and Camden’s Ladder 1 hoisted the American Flag at the gateway to the Samoset for the occasion.
 The Emergency Management Director, along with the director and staff from Public Works, attended the initial “Applicant Briefing” for federal reimbursement of a portion of the City’s reimbursable expenses for a 72-hour period surrounding the February blizzard. Initial paperwork was filed at the meeting and additional paperwork and records will be filed with FEMA within the next 60 days.
 The Department conducted six inspections for Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) compliance in order to determine the suitability of these six establishments for various City licenses.
 The Department trained on Tower Ladder Operations.
 Met with the Community Development Director to discuss issues of common interest.
OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 Attended the agenda setting meeting.
 The Code Office approved the Demolition permit for 17 Sherer Lane. Weather permitting, the excavation company hopes to have it done in the next two weeks.
 Attended the Planning Board meeting. The Board approved the Site Plan Review application for a 36,600 sq.ft. addition to the warehouse at 341 Park Street. A site visit and Public Hearing is set for 4/23/13 on the 24 Lincoln Street project. Additional landscape information is required for the Navigator Condominium project.
 John spent time preparing maps to assist the City Council with questions about the proposed Zone changes west of Old County Road.
 John visited Fisher Engineering to look at proposed minor interior renovations they are planning.
 A computer repair business which was formerly on Main Street, has submitted a Change of Use application to move their business to 66 Maverick Street which was formerly a flower shop.
 License inspections were done with Fire Department personnel at Lobsterman’s Restaurant, Chowder House Restaurant (Tradewinds), L & H Burgers, Rockland Café, Sandbagger Café and The Pearl.
 There were four complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
• Three Building permits
• One Change of Use permit
• One Demo permit
• Five Electrical permits
• Two Plumbing permits
• Two Sign Permits
OFFICE OF THE FISHERMAN’S PIER DIRECTOR
 No Permits were issued this week.
 Attended City Manager’s Department Head meeting.
 Held a Municipal Fish Pier Inspection with the City Manager.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Test billing in Munis on going until commitment.
 Updating property files.
 Processing Personal Property declarations being returned.
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Budget Work – met with City Manager on first draft of numbers.
 Audit Work.
 Attended Agenda Setting meeting.
 Proofed new Munis Forms for cost cutting measures in Accounts Payable.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Handled 25 different calls, walk-ins and e-mails.
 Handled three different appointments.
 Updated client files.
 Processed Social Security Interim Assistance claims.
 Processed end of month reports for the State.
OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Met with Development Director to discuss grants and waterfront projects.
 Helped the USCG remove a big log from the harbor.
 Visited with Rockport Steel to get float repair corners made.
 Visited with Mark's Metal Fabrication to get a mooring barge repair done.
 Spent too much time working with two ship's agents trying to clear up some confusion with cruise ships that were over booked in Portland.
 Started spring repairs to our floats etc.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Attended a FEMA kickoff meeting for the declared storm NEMO. We have a 72 hour period of time during the storm which we can submit for associated reimbursable costs.
 Attended American Public Works Association annual spring meeting in Waterville.
 Attended MDOT informational meeting for the Main Street and Union Street spring paving project at Rockland Main Street office location. The project is planned to start May 5th and will be completed by June 28th. The MDOT portion of the work will take place between the hours of 7pm to 6am with a later starting time of 8pm planned for downtown Main Street area. The Public Works department will be resetting some granite curb and repaving sidewalks from the Rankin block to Warren Street on the west side of the roadway and adjusting approximately 45 sewer manhole frame and covers as part of this project.
 Lawn damage repair work and general spring cleanup all week including sweeping of roads and sidewalks.
 Picked up repaired 2007 John Deere backhoe (brakes and differential work) in Bangor and on same trip dropped off 2012 Case backhoe for motor seal repair warranty work.
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Well it’s April, so that means it’s pretty much all poetry, all the time—Poetry Month Rockland is upon us!
 Rockland Poet Laureate Carol Bachofner held the first of three “The Poet is In” sessions.
 The first of several Fireside Poetry Readings was held; treats were supplied by members of the Friends. Poet Laureate Bachofner held a mini workshop, following: “How a Poem is Made”.
 The inaugural Family Place™ workshop was held. Fifteen children and their parent (or grandparent) attended.
 Attended the Agenda Setting Meeting of Council, the Department Heads’ meeting, and met individually and jointly with staff members.
 I spoke with Eric Dube of Casco Bay Engineering, to find out when Audette will be back to finish up the work adjacent to the chimney. Eric anticipates Audette will commence work in 3-5 weeks, but will get back to me with a firmer date.
 This Thursday Evening’s Arts & Cultural Event will be the film Louder than a Bomb, which tells the story of Chicago high school poetry teams preparing to compete in the world’s largest youth poetry slam.
 I hope to do some further cleanup of the grounds before the end of the week.
 Please participate in one or more of the Poetry Month Rockland events: http://www.rocklandlibrary.org/cs/?render=page&callname=PMRevents
OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Met with a representative from Re Vision Energy and the Energy Committee Chair, Larry Pritchett to investigate the possibility of placing solar panels on the old capped landfill to provide power for the facility or other municipal entities.
 Submitted the pumping totals to Rockland Waste Water.
 Raised well casing and pipe on well 106 in quarry 2.
 Completed trash cleanup along far wall in quarry 2.
OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 I have met with Alexis, who will be running our art program on Saturdays. We will be starting an adult and a youth program for art in the next two weeks. They will both be six week sessions.
 The weight room flooring is finally going in. We had a slight problem getting it here but we are back on track to reopen soon.
 Both the boys and girls invitational are over and went very well. Next year we are looking at holding five of them instead of just two.
 We are getting ready to install the memorial benches which were generously donated to the city this past winter.