The Rockland Report May 16, 2014

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 No permits were issued this week.
 Energized the fish pier’s fresh water piping system. Bled of air and checked for leaks. Fresh water to pier is up and running.
 Lobster price locally was $4.75 a pound at the beginning of the week and went up to $5.00 a pound by weeks end.
 Still reviewing S.H.I.P. Grant options with John Holden and acquiring updated estimates on current proposed projects for Grant technical assistant support.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Resumed sampling & testing of Lindsey Brook. All sample points were below the daily maximum e coli count, however the Lindsey Street sample was above the long term geometric mean limit.
 Repaired the directional beacon on the rear of the Vacuum Truck.
 Sent storm basin surveys to Wright-Pierce for the Summer Street separation project.
 Inspected the sewer line from Lawn Avenue to the high school, discovered 6 ft. of clay pipe collapsed. The pipe is scheduled for replacement on Friday.
 Public Restroom – siding & trim is 90% complete, the concrete sidewalk has been poured, the sign arrived this week.
 Replaced the seal in No. 1 Vortex Pump. The interior of the pump is corroded, and as a result an O-ring seal will not remain in place much longer. We have asked the pump representative for a parts quote.
 Installed a level indicator on the new ferric chloride tank.
 Installed a new flow meter on the Lermond Cove discharge point.
 Installed a new pump for the secondary system dechlorination system.
 Met with FMC to discuss the joint wastewater study. Plans were finalized at this meeting. Total anticipated cost of the study is approximately $200,000.

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 HARBORMASTER
 Met with Will Gartley to finalize a design for our new ADA gangway at the Public Landing. MDOT has helped to make this project take longer than we planned.
 The Middle Pier floats are installed, but we will need to invest in some replacement pilings over the next few years to get the dock back up to our standards. If we do a handful every year, we can keep it within our current budget.
 The Snow Park launch ramp floats are in, but we lost a piling this winter, so they won't be fully installed until we can get a new piling in place.
 The Public landing restrooms are open for the summer.
 The main string of floats is in for the Public Landing as well as our dinghy docks.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Sweeping city streets and parking lots with both sweepers all week.
 Receptacle and building trash pickup for two days.
 Attended City Council budget meeting.
 Water Co. pipe bursting work on Achorn Street.
 Ferraiolo Construction resumed Pen Bay Acres drainage project on Tuesday. All of paving work completed this week and entire project planned to be completed next week.
 Assisted Harbormaster installing ramps and first string of floats for the season for one day.
 City wide spring cleanup all week with one crew.
 Started on Monday with in-house road striping which included stop bars, railroad crossings, and cross walks for three days.
 JBI planning on installing water line for sprinkler system at 435 Main Street in sidewalk area which includes a wet tap starting on Tuesday morning, weather permitting. Planned to take 2 ½ days.
 Pre marking roads for contracted centerline painter which has now been rescheduled for next week weather permitting.
 Completed donated picnic tables including fabricating, painting, and placing in parks.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE The officers responded to 203 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to 5 motor vehicle crashes. Forty-one (41) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made 12 arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include bail Probation violations, Alcohol offenses, Criminal Threatening, and OUI.
 Hundreds of times a day members of the the Rockland community complacently step into the path of thousands of motor vehicles. Those vehicles are driven by anonymous drivers, some good and some bad, some with licenses and some suspended. The simple act of crossing the street is one of the most perilous things you will do each day.
 Residents and visitors use nearly 30 crosswalks surrounding our downtown area. It is important to remember that drivers cannot yield unless they see you. The law states, "A pedestrian may not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the operator to yield."
 In Maine, people from age 15-24 account for nearly a quarter of all pedestrian crash victims. Friday is the most dangerous day of the week for pedestrians. Most crashes involving pedestrians occur between 4 and 6 p.m. Drivers usually claim that they did not see the pedestrians in time to avoid striking them. Never assume that drivers can or will stop. A driver could be intoxicated, distracted or plain careless.
 Drivers, it is your responsibility to be cautious, alert, and prepared to react instantly. Pedestrians need to be visible, make eye contact with drivers, and wait for vehicles to stop before crossing.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 The Code Office has handled numerous inquiries, letters and emails regarding the upcoming Public Hearing on the proposed Boutique Hotel at 250 Main Street to be held 5/20/14 at 5:15 pm.
 John Root attended the Comprehensive Planning Committee Meeting on 5/15/14.
 There were two complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 4 Building permits
o 1 Electrical permit
o 1 Plumbing permit
o 2 Sewer Connection permits
o 1 Sign permit
o 3 Street Excavation permits

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The Recreation Crew has been working on the Parks this week getting them ready for summer and more immediately the Memorial Day parade. They started with City Hall and then moved to the parade route down Main Street.
 The swim float is in the water and ready to go. We will be setting this and the buoy line for the swim area next week.
 I am working with Boston Financial setting up a volunteer cleaning day. They have chosen the 22nd of May and will be working on Sandy Beach. They will be doing a second day later in June to work on the Ocean Street Playground.
 I am working on a database of information that Public Works and the Recreation Department can use to track information about each park. This will include a way to track inventory and needed work.
 Rockland Savings and Loan has donated a new scoreboard to the Recreation Department and this donation will be going to the June meeting of the City Council to be accepted.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Catinka Knoth’s Adult classes drew frogs, herons, and egrets while the Children’s Drawing classes drew marsh and wetlands’ life this week.
 I made arrangements for the various vendors who need to inspect and test prior to the annual renewal of the Library’s elevator license. Two out of three of the experts needed to complete the process were here this week.
 Third of five Family Place™ workshops took the place of Wednesday Storytime. The Play with Me Program designed for children ages 0 to 3 years old and parents or caregivers, this week had very local social worker, Georgia Frizzell as a behavioral expert—Georgia also staffs Know & Grow--present to address any parental concerns in this area. Friends’ Board Member Linda Gundel assisted Jean Young.
 I met with the City Manager, the Mayor, and Councilor Isganitis, who had some preliminary questions about the Library’s budget.
 It’s no longer part of The Arts... series—Continuing on its own, Rockland Rhythm Masters Drumming Troupe is an offshoot, co-sponsored by Midcoast Music Academy and the Rockland Public Library, and welcomes all participants. It is hosted by the Library, and anyone can drop in and join the free drumming circle. Leader Tom Ulichny is planning on a performing group of those who attend regularly.
 Former Maine newspaperman, Paul Betit, author of three mystery-suspense novels featuring U.S. Army CID investigator John Murphy, talked about his creative process, as well as his books during Thursday evening’s Arts & Cultural Event.
 On Saturday, as part of The Arts... for Kids & their Families at the Rockland Public Library Erika Pfander hosted the movie classic, Captains Courageous.
 Baby Storytime, consisting of a lot of play and rhythms, also features black-and-white board books, to attract babies to their first books.
 Upcoming events of note (from last week, but well worth repeating!)——Friends’ Annual Book, Plant, and Bake sale on June 14th & 15th ; Summer Reading Kickoff!, June 21st
 Did you know? We are winding up a short survey, which asks why the Library’s patrons value the Rockland Public Library. You can still get there from the website or Facebook page.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Met with current business and micro loan client as well as collected two completed applications. Planned for Loan Committee meeting.
 Met with CDBG (housing) Loan Committee to follow up on two Client requests.
 Prepared for Harbor Trail Committee Meeting.
 Call with energy consultant to discuss revisiting options to consider natural gas development in the City.
 Prepare agenda and upcoming meetings for Economic Development Advisory Committee.
 Follow up on preparations for magazine insert project.
 Follow up with foundation to support Cultural Plan and Community & Arts Development Strategy, prepare memo for Manager for Council package on same.
 Review Downtown TIF amendment with DECD, prepare technical revisions.
 Respond to request for potential building sites for new business expansion.
 Travel to National Downtown Conference.

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:
 On Friday we sent an ambulance to Wasgatt field to cover the Special Olympics track meet.
 Also on Friday, we received word that the victim of last week’s cardiac arrest call, was discharged from the hospital. As noted in last in the previous notes, thanks to immediate 911 access, early bystander CPR, and a rapid response by Rockland emergency personnel (Police and Fire/EMS) this story has a happy ending.
 On Saturday duty personnel continued their driver recertification road time with Engine 1 and an ambulance.
 On Sunday the FD responded to two First Alarm fires. The first was at FMC and was a smoldering fire contained within an exhaust system. This fire was relatively minor but proved labor intensive as personnel worked to use as little water as possible inside the building to minimize further damage or issues with clean-up associated with wetting the product.
 The second fire on Sunday was reported as a shed fire with numerous vehicles and a house in close proximity. A Shift personnel were able to quickly knock down the main body of fire to stop it from spreading further, while incoming off duty, call division and Rockport firefighters arrived to ensure a continuous water supply to cool numerous 20 lb. propane cylinders until the product was completely burned off. Thomaston FD provided station coverage to ensure any further emergencies received in the City would be covered immediately. We were fortunate to arrive and begin fighting the fire when we did as the vinyl siding on the neighboring house was starting to deform. A few more minutes and this fire might have been far worse.
 Many members turned out for Monday night’s Council meeting to watch the Council honor Chief Jordan for his 25 years of service and wish him well in “retirement”. Many sincere words were spoken about the Chief and the department and we all will strive to continue his legacy of providing great service and enhancing the quality of life of the citizens and guests of the City.
 Early Thursday morning Rockport FD requested our department to assist combating a structure fire near the 17/90 intersection. Five personnel and one engine responded and assisted fighting the fire that significantly damaged a Rockport firefighters’ own home. Personnel from Rockport, Rockland, Hope and Warren all operated at the scene to control the fire and minimize further damage. Thankfully, as with the other fires this week, no one was injured.
 Interim Chief Miceli met with Rockland Main Street’s Executive Director to walk Main Street and discuss current and future projects as they relate to the Life Safety Code and general Fire & EMS Department concerns.
 A and B Shift personnel viewed a nationally hosted webcast covering firefighting operations in residential and multi-family dwellings. The emphasis of this program was gathering the types of information necessary to make crucial fireground decisions.
 Rescue 1, our 2006 ambulance was sent to Bangor on Wednesday to be repaired and it appears that it will be back in service sometime Friday.
 C-Shift personnel worked on the fire department live fire training facility to ensure its readiness for upcoming training classes.
 Interim Chief Miceli and John Root met with Mario Abaldo to review progress at the Lincoln Street Center. Part of the review was to allow limited sized events to be held before final completion of some items.
 Root and Miceli met late Thursday with the owners of Home Kitchen to preliminarily review their new Ice Cream shop fronting North Main Street. This meeting was to reveal any potential problems that might cause delays or excessive costs at the outset.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Presented budget to council.
 Planted flowers and mulched the area under the facility entrance sign.
 Delivered the riding lawn mower to Hammond Tractor in Union to have the deck looked at. The deck was repaired. Fortunately the deck was under warrantee.
 Mowed the facility lawn.
 Removed the final drive guards to remove material that was caught behind the guard. Replaced the bolts on several pads and secured a part of the outer cab on the D5M.
 Inspected a building on the end of Tillson Avenue (the old fish packing plant). The building is going to be demolished and I was asked to take a look at it to see if it was something that we can take at the landfill. I am checking with DEP to see what would be needed to accept the building. I do not see any problems being able to accept the material.
 Sent out 15 tons of recycled cardboard.
 950 Dump stickers have been sold thus far.