The Rockland Report January 10, 2014

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Sent out the mooring permit renewals and we've already started getting some back.
 Since the weather is so cold, experimented with spreading water on the ice that's already in the Harbor Park oval to see if it makes a skate-able rink. Last night about a dozen people used it, and a couple more during the day.
 Worked with the City Attorney on the RFP for an engineer to design a replacement boat launch ramp at Snow Park (he did most of the work).
 Started the permitting process to add two more floats at the Middle Pier for our commercial day-sail fleet.
 Also started work on a "fee survey" of all the harbor towns in Maine. It will be limited in usefulness by the number of replies I get, but it may be handy for averages.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 The Planning Board met 1/7/14 and approved the Site Plan Review Application for FMC Corp. to construct a compressed natural gas unloading facility at 19 Lime Street.
 The introduction of a 15 unit “Pocket Neighborhood” Subdivision on Cedar Street was well received by the Planning Board.
 License inspections were done with the Fire Dept. at Pizza Hut, Suzuki’s, Rock City Roasters, McDonald’s, Hole in the Wall Bagels and 3 Crow Restaurant.
 There was one complaint filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 3 Building permits
o 3 Electrical permits
o 3 Plumbing permits
o 1 Street Excavation permit

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 No permits were issued this week.
 Attended City Council’s agenda setting meeting.
 Submitted billing for upper lot storage permits to the Finance department.
 Three bait coolers were positioned for access for loading onto truck. Company plans on removing coolers next week.
 Current Lobster price remains at $4.50 a pound.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Worked on 2014/2015 budget.
 Correction from last week, completed painting and removal of masking on MSW compactor number 1, the unit is up and running.
 Due to a tractor trailer mechanical breakdown, we had to install a new water pump and oil cooler (done by solid waste staff). Gordon Libby had to haul one load to PERC to keep the transfer station open.
 Continued work on air ride seat in 816 F compactor.
 Plowed and salted due to dusting of snow.
 Scheduled preventative maintenance on the 924 loader.
 Worked on LD 1483 Testimony and will testify against proposed legislation in Augusta on 1/9/14.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Followed up and coordinated support and “Welcome to Rockland” for small business.
 Followed up with two businesses as potential applicants to regional microloan program.
 Reached out to potential participants in City Brownfields program and coordinated follow up with consultant.
 Followed up with City Attorney on contractual matters for engineering contract for Thorndike Parking Lot project, gathered additional background data and information on same.
 Discussed and updated Acting City Manager on Community Development projects underway.
 Continued gathering materials and preparing application for National Endowment of the Arts “Our Town” application.
 Met and followed up with Fish Pier Director to prepare outline of improvements for the pier.
 Coordinated meeting with three business leaders in town and City Staff to identify future infrastructure investments for expansion of their businesses.
 Continue to review and prepare materials for letters of intent for Community Development Block Grant Programs.
 Organized and attended Ad Hoc Harbor Trail Committee meeting.
 Attended public opening of Innovation Multimedia Research and Commercialization Center at University of Maine and “mini Juice” Conference and followed up with contacts made at event.

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF The officers responded to 164 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to nine motor vehicle crashes. Sixteen (16) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made multiple arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include thefts, OUI, Traffic Offenses, and drug offenses.
 Officer Scott Redmun has completed all pre-Academy requirements and will be entering the 18 week training program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy on January 21.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 To make up for last week’s quiet; this was a jam-packed week at the Library!
 The Adult Art class by Catinka Knoth welcomed students, as did the Children’s Drawing class which continues each Tuesday afternoon.
 The Library hosted an informational community forum on the Affordable Care Act.
 Children’s librarian Jean Young visited a number of schools, dropping off information and speaking with secretaries, teachers, and librarians about the new series, The Arts...for Kids & their Families at the Rockland Public Library, and about Dinosaur Day.
 Wednesday Storytime was all about snow and snowmen, to a nice group of families. Therapy dog Jinga with her handler Steve Seekins, were also present. Steve even fixed up the Thomas the Train table—what a wonderful act of kindness!
 The Arts...had its première program...Introduction to Musicality, with Tom Ulichny, the director of the Midcoast School of Musicality; he is starting with drums.
 The Thursday evening Arts & Cultural Events featured the commencement of a new series—films the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, curated and hosted by Erika Pfander, a local film expert and enthusiast. The first shown was Seven Days in May.
 Next up for The Arts...Classic Film Matinees for children and families; the first film was Hand in Hand; this series is also presented by Erika Pfander.
 The last of The Arts...for Kids & their Families at the Rockland Public Library programs for this, its first week, was play acting with Mother Goose rhymes and Fairy Tales, led by local children’s author and illustrator, Debbie Atwell, on Sunday.
 Also on Sunday was a program for Teens & Tweens, Make your Own Stationery, in honor of National Letter Writing Week (who knew?)
 Upcoming events of note—the second of the Classic Film Matinees (and one of my personal favorites), Fly Away Home and a Camden Conference Community Event, presenting Cheryl Denz, local farmer and owner of the Terra Optima Farm and the Terra Optima Market in Rockland. Both should be excellent, so check the website for dates and times!
 Did you know?—the Rockland Public Library is planning an Open House/Valentine to the Community on February 12. You might have heard by now, but I’m going to keep reminding you! Mark your calendars, and tell your friends—it will include good food and fun.

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:
 Another snowstorm meant more shoveling of the fire hydrants.
 The Chili Chowder Challenge held at Trackside raised $1,800 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
 Two Life Safety Code inspections were performed.
 A review of construction plans for the CMCA project was undertaken.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Dealing with flooding issues with heavy rain on Monday including removing snow and ice from ditches, culverts, and catch basins.
 Patching potholes in various areas throughout city and primarily on Old County Road for three and a half days.
 2” snowfall on Tuesday – scraping and sanding/salting roads and sidewalks.
 Removed snow on all sidewalks with both sidewalk snow blowing machines over the weekend of the 4th and 5th. Also had two sanding call-ins during same period.
 Trash pickup for two days.
 Meeting with Community Development and boat transport facility representatives in Rockland regarding potential overhead wires, traffic signals, and tree obstructions.
 Hauling snow from various stock pile areas including parking lots, streets, and sidewalks for three days. This was accomplished with city owned trucks and equipment.
 Towed 2009 International truck to Portland North for fuel related repair work on Wednesday and picked back up on Thursday after repairs completed.
 Mechanics working on numerous plowing related problems with vehicles and equipment.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Responded to a sewer line backup at 81 N. Main Street; found the homeowners lateral had collapsed. We located the main sewer line for the homeowner’s contractor and inspected the new lateral.
 Responded to a sewer line backup at 63 Summer Street. The blockage was cleared and we continue to investigate due to this being a problem area in the past.
 We cleaned a catch basin at the landfill.
 Continue to work with a resident at Broadway/Grace due to an illegal sump pump connection.
 No. 1 primary sludge pump was repaired.
 We repaired the bar rack screenings screw conveyor.
 Replaced the No. 1 Primary Clarifier skimming plate due to corrosion.
 Worked on finalizing the belt filter press and gravity belt thickener overhaul bid specifications.

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Processing Real Estate Transfers, updating parcel cards, sales book, property splits.
 Processing Personal Property accounts, updating ownership, owned items,
depreciation, State BETR’S 801 returns, BETE exemptions.
 Processing building permits, reviewing, updating property cards and assessments.
 Analyzing qualified sales of all properties and neighborhoods for a fair and equitable assessment.
 Completing State forms and returning for processing.
 Listening and reviewing properties at the owner’s request.
 Updating Tax Maps and posting to the web site.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 We held the first week of 1st through 4th grade basketball this weekend. There were not a lot of sign-ups initially, but kids turned out for their scheduled times and there have been more sign-ups during the week. They will be on the hardwood again this weekend.
 I am working with Coastal Copper to resolve issues we are having with the roof drains.
 The 5th & 6th grade basketball league has passed the halfway mark and we will be starting play-offs in a couple of weeks. This program will conclude prior to February vacation.
 Team Dodgeball sign-ups start on the 13th of January. The games will start Wednesday, the 29th of January.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Made appointments for clients who did not have any scheduled.
 Met with clients who had scheduled appointments.
 Handled General Assistance inquiries.
 Updated General Assistance paperwork and client files.