The Rockland Report June 27, 2014

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 The following permits were issued:
o 2 Lobster Vessels
o 1 Transient Herring Carrier
 The Second of four bait coolers has arrived on the pier. The other two will be delivered at different times during the month of July.
 Working with John Holden on the Technical Assistance Grant application.
 The f/v Western Sea has offloaded 320,000 pounds of herring this week.
 The f/v Western Wave has offloaded 140,000 pounds of herring this week.

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 LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class worked on the theme of “Red, White, and Blues,” and the Children’s drawing class concentrated on celebrating the 4th of July.
 The last of the Graphic Novel workshops was held; this was a wonderfully successful series.
 The Library received its first delivery of lunches, as we participate in the free summer lunch program for the first time this year.
 ABM installed relay switches for the Chillers, which should also help with the electric bills, and cleaned the boiler, as part of the HVAC work contracted with Cordjia.
 The Library sang with the sound of hammering, as a lively group of kids built their own birdhouse, under the tutelage of Peter Proeller and Alan Athearn.
 For Wednesday Storytime, Jean Young brought out the ABC rug; ABC songs were sung, and alphabet books read, followed by the featured book: Jack and the Beanstalk; first the children told her the story, then Jean read it to them; they also made related crafts. Steve Seekins, also participated, along with therapy dog Mo.
 A state-wide upgrade to the Integrated Library System (our circulation, cataloging, and online catalog) took place on Wednesday, and the Library used an offline system, to accommodate checkouts, holding the returns until the system was back online.
 Rockland Rhythm Masters Drumming Troupe, co-sponsored by Midcoast Music Academy and the Rockland Public Library met at the Library on Thursday. I attended their open house last Friday, and MMA’s new space on Main Street is beautiful and inviting.
 Louis Bettcher, hired as an on-call, substitute library assistant continued training; Louis will be called in for hours if none of the regular part-time staff are available when needed.
 The first scheduled Storytime at the Farmers’ Market was postponed, due to the weather.
 The second of two Rita Hayworth/Fred Astaire movies, You Were Never Lovelier, was hosted by Erika Pfander, as the Thursday evening’s Arts & Cultural Event.
 One of the last movie matinees, as part of The Arts...for Kids & their families at the Rockland Public Library, Mary Poppins was presented (with free popcorn) on Saturday.
 Upcoming: Author Talk with Helen Peppe, that promises not only to be interesting and entertaining, but she is bringing chocolate, too! Also, presented by the Friends-- Our Neighbors' Gardens: A Tour of Gardens in Rockland, will be held on July 12th.
 WORTH REPEATING—a terrific resource--Did you know? Thanks to the Maine State Library, you can a get a free two-week pass to Lynda.com, for technology training. From animation to CAD to virtual instruments, there are over 2,500 courses available. It’s pretty amazing, and you should take a look:

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Attended corporate business event and retreat to meet business leaders interested in expansion and development; follow up on same to those that express interest in City.
 Reviewed draft signage plan as being prepared by Rockland Main Street Design Committee; reported to Committee on same.
 Follow up calls and research on request for down payment assistance for housing.
 Met with representative from Rockland Historical Society.
 Finalized grant proposals to Northern Border Regional Commission (Boardwalk at Harbor Park); Coastal Community Program (Engineering for Public Pier); Shore and Harbor Planning Grant (Fish Pier planning).
 Met with representative from Orton Family Foundation.
 Planned and held Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting.
 Attended Midcoast Economic Development District Board meeting.
 Assisted and advised City Attorney on final details of microloan to Dream Local Digital.

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:
 Friday we sent Tower 3 to Shaw’s to help kick off the Harbor Plaza’s “Summer Beginnings”. The aerial was put up and people were invited to look over the apparatus and have fire safety and EMS questions answered.
 Also on Friday morning, I met with the owner/builder who is taking down and rebuilding a house on James Street. We discussed the residential sprinkler ordinance and the benefits of sprinklers. It appears that he will use the City’s exception to avoid the costs of sprinkling the new home.
 Saturday evening RFD personnel stood by at the Summer Solstice event on Main Street.
 The response to the fire at Redlon and Johnson Sunday morning went extremely well. The A-shift crew lead by A/C Mazzeo found a fire in the basement of the 41x127 ft. commercial building. Teamwork that included Rockland PD, the Coast Guard and mutual aid FD’s helped us limit to just one end of the building what could have quickly grown into a much larger fire. Commercial building fires require larger hose lines be deployed which are much more labor intensive. The Coast Guard and RPD personnel who assisted in getting a large diameter supply hose line from the hydrant to the pumper were instrumental in ensuring the four on duty personnel could knock down the fire in the basement. Without their help the delay of ensuring the continuous water supply would have resulted in greater damage to the building and consequently a less safe operating environment for our personnel.
 Monday personnel from Dispatch held a class for our EMS people on how ambulance calls area taken and coded. This cleared up many issues that have developed since the institution of the new system in March of 2013.
 Tuesday morning A/C Mazzeo and I worked with the Fire Marshal’s Office, State Electrical Inspector and the insurance company’s fire investigator to find the cause of Sunday’s fire. The cause was determined to have been “accidental electrical” in the area of the main panel.
 FF Sullivan manning Engine 1 helped the Abbie Burgess crew test their fire hoses on Wednesday.
 On Wednesday evening RFD hosted a critique of Sunday’s fire to review procedures and tactics with our members and members of the Rockport, Thomaston and South Thomaston FD’s. While the fire response went very well, there are always things that can be addressed.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
The officers responded to 237 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to 8 motor vehicle crashes. Forty (40) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made 22 arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include Bail violations, Assault offenses, Drug Offenses, Theft, Warrants of Arrest, Probation violations, Criminal Mischief, and OUI.
 Last week Parking Officer Troy Peasley participated in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg. He was selected to represent the State of Maine as he ran the ‘Flame of Hope’ through Manhattan, Philadelphia and New Jersey to raise awareness for Special Olympics. Troy attended the opening ceremonies of the 2014 USA Special Olympics Summer Games at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey Sunday evening and he wore his Rockland Police Department uniform during the torch lighting ceremony to officially open the games.
 Detective Sergeant Pease and I attended the Rockland Metro Community advisory board meeting.
 Officers assisted with the Summer Solstice event on Maine Street on Saturday with traffic and crowd control. The event was a safe and fun occasion for all in attendance.
 I reviewed a new mandated policy for the department with City Attorney.
 I am continuing to work with Maine Department of Transportation Traffic Engineering division concerning clarification of a speed limit zone within Rockland that needs addressing
 I am working with Knox County EMA director to facilitate the incorporation of wireless service for shared use of remote messaging via All Traffic solutions message boards. Exploring grant opportunities to address this common need.
 Conducted an annual test of the Park St. building fire suppression system with representatives of Eastern Fire Protection Inc.
 Conducted our annual property room purge to facilitate our evidence property management protocol.
 Officers are working in partnership with state probation and parole in order to insure sex offender compliance within the community at large.
 Knox County EMA assisted the City of Rockland with the acquisition of a utility trailer to be deployed for traffic control and training operations.
 Detectives continue their outreach on the state transient seller laws to members of the community via former victim experiences.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Troubleshooting the transfer station basement pump.
 Cut out failing area of concrete in the transfer station floor and prepped rebar so the area can be patched. We are preparing concrete for epoxy paint.
 Braced leachate extraction line needed due to landfill settlement.
 Placed new chemical NFPA and danger signs on the peroxide tank.
 Sent out 25 Bales of 1, 3-5 plastics to be recycled.
 Send out contract extension for FY 2015 peroxide usage.
 Mowed facility and tax acquired property on Limerock Street.
 We had a break-in at the office trailer and gate house on 6/23/14. The alarm was set off at the gate house and the break area air conditioner was stolen. A Rockland Police Officer reviewed the scene and a report was filed.
 Attended an MRRA Board of Directors Meeting at Maine Municipal in Augusta.

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

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Overhauled the gravity belt thickener and one of the belt presses this week.
 No. 2 Primary Clarifier was taken offline due to a plugged drain pipe.
 Faulty GFI outlets were replaced in the Headworks Building.
 Environmental Technicians attended an annual vacuum truck training session by the vendor.
 Video inspected the 36 inch storm drain in Snow Marine Park. There were no connections to this line. Also tested the storm drain for e-coli and test results were elevated.
 Inspected a sewer lateral at 57 Suffolk Street.
 Investigated a sewer backup at 161 Limerock Street.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Prock Marine finally came by and put in our two replacement pilings for the launch floats at Snow Marine Park and we rigged up the rest of the floats.
 Met with Rene Dorr to discuss our waterlines in the park for the summer festivals.
 Discovered a little family of what are probably mink living in the seawall at the Public Landing. That may cut down on the number of pigeons in the park.
 Though there have been a few boats moving around from harbor to harbor, we still haven't seen the summer flow of boats yet. We are in hopes that it will start in another week.
 A pair of replica vessels, the Nina and the Pinta came through Rockland for a night on their way to discover Camden.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Trash pickup for two days including receptacles and buildings.
 One street sweeper working for 4 ½ days on city streets.
 Completed most of white line painting (parking stalls). Painted for three extended nights. Will be starting yellow paint next week.
 Cold patching for ½ a day.
 Completely rebuilt catch basin at the south west corner of Pleasant Street and Broadway.
 Mowed Broadway hill and city owned house on Limerock Street.
 Street sign maintenance for two days.
 Checked catch basins, brooks, and culverts for any obstructions before and after heavy rainfall.
 Roadside mowing with sickle bar for three days.
 Replaced oil pan and worked on oil cooler on 2008 International dump truck.
 Farley and Sons installing new granite curb on east side of Union Street between Museum Street and Oak Street and preparing to install new brick pavers for sidewalk.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John has been on vacation this week, so Dave has been extra busy with inspections and inquiries.
 John was a guest speaker at the New England Realtor’s meeting in Camden on 6/25/14 (even though he was on vacation).
 There were three complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 5 Building permits
o 1 Driveway permit
o 3 Electrical permits
o 7 Plumbing permits
o 3 Sewer Connect permits
o 1 Street/Sidewalk Encumbrance permit
o 3 Sidewalk Display permits
o 1 Sign permit

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The first week of Summer Day Camp is off and running, so far so good.
 The park ranger started at the lake on Monday and things are looking better already. There have also been a large number of people using it.
 This Sunday we will be hosting the Oceanside Basketball Clinic, led by Coach Breen. This is the first year we have collaborated on this.
 The Recreation crew has done some work on Harbor Park near the Harbormaster’s office and near the Police Station.
 I met with the Lobster Festival organization last week to start looking at preparations for the many events that are coming up this summer.