The Rockland Report August 1, 2014

2014 Sea Goddess Coronation Rockland, Maine © Doug Mills

OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR/ACTING CITY MANAGER
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Preparing for Year End – audit work.
 Met with Police Chief to discuss purchase of detective vehicle.
 Met with Rick Rockwell on the many projects he is involved with in the Downtown District.
 Signed PPI Grant with the MeDOT.
 Volunteered at the Maine Lobster Festival.
 Fielded Citizen Concerns on:
o Snow Marine Park Closure – Ecoli counts still above acceptable level from test on 7/28/2014
o Smoke Testing of Sewer/Storm Water Lines
o Street Sweeper noise level
o Noise from truck performing Catch Basin Cleaning

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Foul weather seems to make us even busier. All of our rental moorings were busy this week, the fog brought people and boats into town, and made it harder and less attractive for them to leave. It's late in the season for this much fog, but it really affects people's cruising habits.
 Gearing up for the festival – the tent installers punctured the waterpipe to Harbor Park, but with quick action from the Rec Department and Public Works, we got it patched and up and running.
 We're expecting to host the USCG Cutter Moray and a small contingent of Coast Guardsmen during the festival. They are here in support of the visit by the Barque Eagle.
 The size of the boats looking for dockage at the Public Landing appears to be increasing. The usual small cruising boats are being augmented with 50' plus trawler style yachts this summer. They keep saying that we are the best public facility on the Maine coast, and telling their friends.

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Processed Real Estate Transfers, updating parcel cards, sales book, property splits.
 Processed Personal Property accounts, updating ownership, owned items, depreciation, State BETR’S 801 returns, BETE exemptions.
 Processed 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 property owner’s request.
 Updating Tax Maps and posting to the web site.
 Finalizing the valuation values and looking to commit the assessments to the Tax Collector.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 We’ve been seeing over 500 people a day of late; you can certainly tell it’s summer in Rockland!
 Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class worked on the theme of “Daisies by Marshall Point Light" and the Children’s drawing class theme was “Let’s draw classic Maine scenes!”
 The free summer lunch program continues, and we are now seeing regular participants.
 Judith Anderson hosted Storytime again this week. Judith read her favorites from Mo Willems and in honor of the Lobster Festival, read L is for Lobster by Cynthia Reynolds and Leroy the Lobster and Crabby the Crab by Edward Harriman. Following the reading, Children’s Librarian Jean Young opened the Cornerstones of Science Creativity trunk and tried several experiments. Participants learned about the art of Georgia O’Keeffe, looked over photos of her bone art, observed real bones, and then the children drew their version of the bones. The other experiment was making hand puppets with scissors, paper, and colored pencils after admiring four-season embroidered cloth puppets. The last experiment involved a slinky; exploring sound; sound waves. They held the slinky with coils touching, pulled slinky apart, released half the coils, and watched to see what happened. (Compression wave- according to Jean, you had to be there…). Therapy dog handler joined the fun, with my favorite sweet Maggie, the lovely lurcher.
 We started a new series, the Wellness Series, co-sponsored with the Pen Bay Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday afternoon, with Gary Chapin speaking on Therapeutic Hypnosis.
 Wednesday, we held a special after hours program—Death Café, where people came together to eat cake, and speak about any and all aspects of death and dying.
 In accordance with our new tradition (started last year), I treated all available staff to the pancake breakfast at the Lobster Festival in the morning, and volunteered in the food tent in the afternoon.
 As part of the Thursday evening Arts & Cultural Events series, retired Maine warden John Ford and retired Maine trooper Mark Nickerson will delight you with hilarious tales of law enforcement “back in the day.”
 On Saturday, Jean Young opened another Science Trunk in the Children’s Room, and offered simple activities with everyday items to inspire the creative side of our brains. Activities included: Exploring Sound, Art and Paper.
 Ongoing—Summer Reading Program, with something for all ages. Check the Library’s website, or visit us in person for more information. Reminder: read the
Maine Readers’ Choice Award Finalists now, to vote in September: Benediction by Kent Haruf; The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt; The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Weck; and TransAtlantic by Colum McCann. More information can be found here.
 Upcoming: Beginners’ Sign Language; an early Camden Conference Community Event-- Camden Conference Event: An American in Russia

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
In addition to responding to the general response to fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred:
 Friday night we had another arson fire at the Scott Street porta-potties. Once again, RPD, RFD and the SFMO worked together to find the suspects. Over the course of the weekend this paid off. One Sunday three arrests, two adults and one juvenile were charged in connection with the fire. While the SFMO made these arrests the lead investigator wanted to particularly note that without extensive local cooperation and assistance the outcome would not have been as quick if the suspects were found at all.
 Finalized the Emergency Operations Plan for the Maine Lobster Festival and started putting out daily Incident Action Plans for the event. The IAP details who the key players are in command roles for that period and highlights any of the day’s activities that might have an effect on emergency resources.
 I met with Chief Boucher and MLF President Chuck Kruger on Tuesday to go over the onsite issues and any anticipated “hiccups”.
 Wednesday’s and Thursday’s shifts toured the MLF grounds to ensure their rapid response to areas.
 As part of the continual emergency management process I worked with MLF and personnel from Smokey’s Greater Shows to ensure the safety of all at the festival. This entails numerous face to face meetings to address people’s concerns as they are brought to our attention.
 RFD personnel trained on Fireground Hydraulics on Wednesday evening. This is the mathematical process of ensuring the correct amount of water gets from the water source to the fire without harming apparatus or firefighters.
 Each shift reviewed the Knox County Mass Casualty plan and the START triage program in anticipation of the greater numbers of people in a small area. These plans ensure the most efficient response to incidents where our resources are quickly overwhelmed.
 A representative of ISG came to show our personnel a new Thermal Imaging Camera as we move toward purchasing a new TIC. The technology has come quite a way since our last purchase and thankfully come down in price from the earliest versions.
 I conducted an apartment inspection for a prospective buyer of a two family dwelling on Masonic Street. This was a courtesy inspection as we only require these on buildings with three or more units.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 With the assistance of the City Attorney and Sandy Billington the RFP for quarry 2 north phase II gas collection has been distributed.
 The 816 landfill compactor 1,000 hour preventative maintenance service was performed.
 Provided the City Manager with information as part of an FOOA request.
 Ordered Tractor & Trailer truck tires for the Western Star and Steco trailer used to haul household waste.
 Cleaned out Swap Shop and mowed grounds.
 Landfill Equipment Operator Bret Mank observed sign of smoke within the landfill. Bret investigated the source and found a lithium battery wrapped in an old carpet which was reacting with the moisture from the recent rain. Bret’s attention to detail and procedure follow-up most likely prevented a much more serious problem.
 The extraction Q2n well casing extension for the next lift was delivered to Rockport Steel to have a sleeve fabricated and welded on.
 PM’s were conducted on the 924 loader.
 The tri-annual monitoring well sampling and testing for all monitoring wells was carried out.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Worked on specifications for Fiscal Year 2015 Capital Improvement Projects.
 Continued extra laboratory testing in support of the PCF/FMC study.
 Helped Pen Bay Medical Center personnel fill out a pretreatment permit application in anticipation of issuing a pretreatment permit to the hospital/Rockport.
 Repaired No. 2 vortex return pump.
 Dye tested the sewer connections at 64 and 68 Mechanic Street and found their laterals run to the sewer main. However, the end of the sewer main is tied into the 36” storm drain in Snow Marine Park. Also discovered that two pump stations at Sharp’s Point are discharging into the storm drain. Coming up with plan to make piping changes to correct this problem. This update was reported to Maine DEP.
 Completed cleaning and inspection of the sewer main on Mechanic Street from Snow Street west to the entrance to the pump station.
 Wright-Pierce began to distribute door notices for the City wide smoke testing scheduled to begin August 4th.
 Began investigation into a possible sewer main extension on Broadway from Pleasant Street going north to the R.R. crossing.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Seeded and hayed Claremont Street and Limerock Street
 Picked up sander in Limrick for TK 14
 Weed whacked and mowed Broadway hill.
 Mowed roadside on Limerock and Old County Road.
 Prepped upper Pleasant Street basins for hot top.
 Cleaned catch basins.
 Prep for parade route, cold patched.
 Trash pickup, three days.
 Sign replacement and repair, one day.
 Swept Coast Guard parking lot.
 Rebuilding #18 sweeper engine.
 Swept downtown streets, two days.
 Hot topped cuts, one day.
 Repairs made to jet truck – lights, hose real, valve, back door.
 Loaded trailer with signs, cones and horses for festival.
 Picked up waste oil.
 Cold patched Old County and West Meadow Road.
 Replaced lights at City Hall.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John Root is on vacation this week so it’s Dave’s turn for all the inspections, inquiries and permits.
 The Code Office received an application for a Home Occupation Level 3 for a Studio/Gallery space at 16 Brewster Street.
 There were three complaints filed this week..
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 2 Building permits
o 3 Electrical permits
o 5 Plumbing permits
o 1 Sewer Connection permit
o 3 Sidewalk Display permits
o 1 Street Excavation permit

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Follow up meetings with five local businesses including review of status and plans for Lincoln Street Center, guidance on Pine Tree Zone benefits, welcome letter to new business, and other general business development information.
 Phone conferences with owner and representatives of Thorndike Building to review final use of Community for Maine Future (CFMF) program funds.
 Follow up review and meetings with Director WWTP and Landmark A\E regarding final plans and recommendations for City work using CFMF funds and improvements to Thorndike Parking Lot.
 Assist and attend meeting with Director WWTP on Winter Street redesign plans.
 Review status of Brownfield Program and various assessments underway with City consultant; Phone conference with representative of one Brownfield Program participant (property owner) regarding potential redevelopment of the site.
 Assist and advise two business interests seeking site for new or expanded enterprise in the City.
 Volunteer at Maine Lobster Festival.
 Research and prepare for recommendations for City Council on value and use of Credit Enhancement Agreement in the Downtown TIF.
 Preparation of Memo on change to Downtown Zone to allow for additional residential development.
 Review of draft signage plan under final preparation for Rockland Main Street, Inc Design Committee and follow up with Committee Member assisting in final drafting of the plan.
 Meeting with engineering firm to review draft design and costs for Harbor Trail along Mechanic Street.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE DIRECTOR
 Handled General Assistance inquiries.
 Met with clients who had scheduled appointments.
 Made appointments for clients who did not have any scheduled.
 Updated General Assistance paperwork and client files.
 Filed reports with Department of Health & Human Services.
 Filed Interim Assistance forms with the State and Social Security Administration.
 Made referrals to Disability Advocacy Program.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE The officers responded to 240 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to five motor vehicle crashes and 11 Animal complaints. Forty-six (46) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made 13 arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include Bail violations, Domestic assault offense, Theft Offenses, Criminal Mischief, Probation violations, Warrants of Arrest, and OUI.
 On Saturday Officer Solórzano and Sgt. Smith assisted at Circle K in Rockland to raise money for Special Olympics Maine. The annual Fueling Dreams fundraiser is one of the most productive for Special Olympics of Maine.
 We are keeping busy with public safety concerning the Maine Lobster Festival this week and the planning and implementation of public safety concerning the back to back events of the MLF and Maine Boats, Harbor and Home show over the next two weeks.
 Officers have closed the investigation of two arson within the city and have charged three individuals with the two separate incidences
 Chief Boucher participated in the emergency management response planning during critical situations with the US Coast Guard USS Eagle Visit.
 Sgt. Finnegan attended the IACP conference on Drug, Alcohol and Impaired Driving this past week. Funding for his attendance was provided by Knox County Community Health Coalition. KCCHC is one of our partners in addressing substance use and abuse factors within our community. We thank them for their continued support and all they do for the Rockland community.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The festival grounds were ready to go for the start of the Maine Lobster Festival. They’ve been looking good all week.
 We have installed a new walkway at the corner of Ferry Terminal Park so people can cut through the parking lot from the ferry.
 The new Rec Center mural is coming along nicely. There is no class this week but they’ll be back on Monday to continue working.
 The beach area and the Summer Day Camp are both going well this summer. Staff for camp are working out great and doing an amazing job with the kids.