The Rockland Report

Rockland City Manager’s Weekly Report, November 9, 2012
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 The contract for Snow Removal Services has been awarded to George C. Hall & Sons, at a rate of $65 per hour for tri-axle trucks and $55 per hour for wheeler trucks. Due to a mild winter last year, these Services were not required.
 Last winter, the City of Rockland entered into an agreement with Knox County EMA that allows the City to send out group messages via the City Watch Notification System. City Watch allows the City to contact employees quickly should an emergency arise, such as a large snowstorm resulting in City offices not opening that morning. City Watch was tested last January and worked well; however, after the initial test there were no storm emergencies that required its use. Mother Nature gave us a couple of warnings last week – Super Storm Sandy and Winter Storm Athena – that this winter may be different from last winter, and we heeded her advice. The City Watch database has been updated and will soon be tested to ensure that in the event of an emergency, all City employees can be contacted with one phone call.
 Contacted Jonathan Taggart, a specialist in restoration of civil war artifacts, regarding the two cannons that have been discussed. Later this month, Jonathan will be preparing a report on the restoration of the two cannons to historically correct condition and the associated cost to do this. Once this report is completed, I will share this with Council for consideration and discussion of how to best proceed with restoring these cannons so that they may be placed back in Chapman Park.
 Attended the Veterans breakfast and associated ceremony at the Rockland Middle School this morning. It was great to see Rockland’s veterans, listen to their stories, and witness the great appreciation our children and educators have for our veterans and their service to this Country.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The Election went off without a hitch here at the building. The entrances were level and unobstructed. The building was cleaned up and ready to accommodate the large turn out that we had. I would like to thank the construction company and my staff for working hard to make sure the building was ready for the election. I would also like to thank Stuart for being understanding and patient.
 Basketball sign-ups have started and try-outs will be on November 19th for girls and November 20th for boys. The try-outs allow us to look at the kids and work with the coaches to balance the teams as best as possible.
 The new art program at the Recreation Department will start on Saturday in the Tower Room.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Processed eighteen transfers for September. Seven had good sales ratios of 95%.
 Reviewed personal property accounts.
 Prepared to print new tax maps for the front counter.
OFFICE OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIRECTOR
 An MMA safety audit was carried out this week.
 Worked on new DEP laboratory QA requirements.
 Worked on Environmental Technician job details.
 Worked with contractors on the roofing RFP.
 The electrical contractor was at the plant this week to begin installation of the sludge pump replacement panels and VF drives.
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
In addition to responding to 201 calls for services this past week and making 15 arrests; summons were made for various offenses, including Robbery, Violation of Conditions of Release, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct ,Trespassing and 14 traffic offenses. Officers handled 11 traffic crashes. Along with other duties and shift assignments, members of the police department were involved in the following highlights this past week:
 Officers participated in familiarization of Use of Force tactics this past week.
 Detectives assisted the Sex Offender Registry with a non-compliant sex offender.
 Officers investigated an Armed Robbery which resulted in the arrest of a juvenile.
 Chief Boucher met with the County Emergency Management director to discuss a Homeland Security Grant proposal for 2012-2013.
 Deputy Chief Tower met with representatives of the Maine Lighthouse Museum on the Flying Santa program being planned for December.
 Members of the Criminal Investigations division assisted the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida concerning criminal activity within their jurisdiction.
 Chief Boucher met with the Director of Public Services for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles concerning local bureau office critical incident planning.
 Sgt. Camporiale was notified by the Bureau of Highway Safety that we will receive a grant for Impaired Driving Enforcement.
OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 Discussed with the manager of the Thorndike issues with a gutter that is failing on the Main Street side of the Thorndike building. Ann put me in touch with the person handling the multi-family grant funding who has been working with the building architectural firm hired by the Thorndike. He feels this qualifies for emergency funding where it is a danger to the public. I expect things will move along quickly, but will follow up.
 Met with the owner of property on Spruce Street to discuss removal of unregistered and un-inspected motor vehicles. A violation notice was sent.
 A violation notice was also sent to the owner of 160 West Meadow Road regarding excessive trash/junk on the property. The unkempt condition of this property has been an ongoing issue.
 After a violation notice was sent to the owner of truck trailers that were being stored within the 50 ft. buffer at 200 Park Street, the trailers have been removed.
 A violation notice sent to the owner of property at the corner of Broadway and Talbot Avenue regarding excessive outside storage has resulted in progress toward compliance.
 We received new nuisance complaints from multiple neighbors in the Camden Street Terrace area regarding the feeding of seagulls. Since receiving these complaints, we reviewed the situation and have determined that a nuisance is being created by the active feeding of seagulls. We have requested the City Attorney to send a letter requesting this practice cease immediately. We hope the property owner will comply; however, if the practice continues, after we have provided notice, we will have no alternative then to pursue this matter in court in order to provide relief for the neighbors.
 We are reviewing preliminary plans to add a dwelling unit on the second floor of the Brass Compass Restaurant.
 The Planning Board met November 6, 2012 and approved the following applications:
o Site Plan Review for the construction of a new Dory Building at 75 Mechanic Street at the Sail Power & Steam Museum.
o Site Plan Review for the construction of a small 3-story addition at The Trade Winds Motor Inn at 2 Park Drive. The addition is to the Restaurant entrance and will also add room space on upper floors.
o Site Plan Review for the construction of a concession stand at the Rockland Little League field at 240 Pleasant Street.
o Pre-Application meeting for the conversion of the building at 220 Camden Street into a five unit condominium.
 The Planning Board also granted an extension of the Site Plan approval dated December 7, 2010 for the construction of a five story building at 250 Main Street.
 David Kalloch attended the Midcoast Regional Planning Commission Meeting.
 There were seven complaints filed this week.
 Reviewed for, inspected, and issued the following permits:
o Six Building permits
o Two Electrical permits
o Three Plumbing permits
o Two Sign permits
o One Street Excavation permit
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Approved Accounts Payable Warrant.
 Audit Work FY2012.
 Met with Library and Public Works on Requisition/ PO entry.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Handled 24 different calls, walk-ins for the following reasons: Housing, follow-ups, rescheduling, homelessness, miscellaneous/unspecified, security deposit, CMP reconnection, heating assistance.
 Met with 11 different clients.
 Processed nine applications.
 $3,620.52 was requested. $2,650.40 was granted.
OFFICE OF THE HARBOR MASTER
Maybe it's just me, but this week went by too fast.
 Worked on the trim of the Harbor Building's cupola.
 Tried to catch-up on paperwork.
 Started the process of post-summer clean-up.
 Worked on the mooring barge hoisting arm.
 Worked to get estimates on modifying the public landing ramp and running electrical service to the new floats.
OFFICE OF THE FISHERMAN’S PIER DIRECTOR
 230,000 pounds of herring landed this week by F/V Western Sea.
 Lobsters bought by Lobster Buyers this week was $2.95 a pound.
 No permits issued.
 Turned off fresh water to pier and drained all fresh water lines on the pier.
 Salt water pumps for wash down of pier will stay up and running until the cold finally arrives.
 Mailed out current user permits for calendar year 2013.
 Met with Oyster River Seafood to discuss all the uses of a Lobster Buyers Permit and what is authorized on the pier in accordance with the permit; plus cost of permit electric/metered electric, payment schedule, and all other questions they had.
OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
In addition to responding to the normal flow of fire and EMS calls, daily shift training, apparatus checks, cleaning, repairs and maintenance to the fleet and cleaning and maintenance of the quarters, the following occurred:
 The Department completed its use of the MacDougal School including for training with sessions on Venting Flat Roofs; again, the training opportunities afforded the Department by this building were invaluable – perhaps a fitting final act for a school.
 The Rankin Center was inspected as a follow-up to a complaint regarding items stored in the means of egress. Building management has been advised of what is expected in terms of enforcement.
 The Fire Chief spoke to the staff at Bartlett Woods regarding their emergency plan and the expectations of the Department for the staff in response to the many and varied emergencies that may occur at such a facility. A very beneficial, open discussion followed the presentation.
 The Fire Chief attended the Knox County Fire Training committee meeting in Camden on Thursday evening to discuss with the group the transitioning away from use of the dilapidated fire training tower in Camden, and the planning of future construction and use of a regional facility.
 Maine Emergency Management Agency and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection met with the Fire Chief and Firefighter Michael Cole and inventoried the Knox Regional Response Team’s technician trailer. After a completion of the inventory, the Maine DEP transported the trailer to Augusta. Rockland Fire Department will maintain a decontamination capability but technician services will be through the Waterville Hazardous Materials Response Team via state mutual aid.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Plowed/sanded for 2½” snow fall. Most plows (including headgear) and sanders have been set up.
 Continued with work of resetting granite blocks on Lindsey Brook between Summer Street and Talbot Avenue.
 Attended MDOT training in Augusta for accessible pedestrian signals.
 Finalized dig safes for tree planting locations throughout the city.
 Voting booths and tables set up and then removed and stored.
 Continued with city wide leaf/brush pickup as weather permitted.
 Reviewed job description for environmental technician positions.
 Some lawn repair work from damages from plowing (ground not yet frozen).
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Don Fowles installed the first of four replacement PCs (for the public). The replacements are provided by the Friends.
 Staff and volunteers handed out a library flyer as voters exited the polls on Election Day. We are trying to make former and non-users aware of all the Library offerings. It was quite a wonderful experience; here is an excerpt of an email from one of the volunteers: “I so enjoyed my early AM gig! I can't tell you how many people gave such complimentary, positive compliments about the library and, especially, the staff. I think it speaks volumes that after people have been inundated for months with campaign flyers and literature I stand there with a stack of papers and say the words "Rockland Public Library" and huge smiles come across their faces. I know I've been living with an engineer way too long because I am guessing that > 95% of the voters I approached stopped, took the flyer, and chatted.” We have already seen some new faces as a result!
 Canine citizen, Mo, a member of Therapy Dogs International, and his handler, Steve Seekins held the inaugural story time on Wednesday, and was a big hit with kids and parents both. Steve will be bringing one of several registered therapy dogs to the weekly Wednesday Story Time on a regular basis.
City Manager’s Weekly Report
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 The Library lost power for about ten minutes on Wednesday; by the time I’d worked my way through CMP’s automated response, the power was back; staff rushed around restarting computers, etc.
 North Haven Community School trip was cancelled due to the ferry not running.
 We hosted the Nature Slide-Talk: Wild Turkeys with discussion following as part the ongoing Thursday Evening Arts & Cultural Events programming; it was co-sponsored with the Georges River Land Trust.
 The Children’s Room will be holding a Ranger’s Apprentice (John Flanagan) Read-a-thon, with snacks and prizes for the most pages read each hour.
 On Sunday, a program on “Duct Tape Crafts” will be offered in the Teen Zone.
 Saving the best for last, I am so very pleased to let you know that the Rockland Public Library was once again designated a Star Library by the industry’s leading periodical, Library Journal. This year we are one of only six libraries in Maine and 262 in the country (out of 9,225 public libraries) to be so designated!
OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Conducted two interviews about the installation of landfill gas flare - one with the Bangor Daily News and one with the Free Press. The Village Soup was contacted but I have not yet received a reply.
 Public Works pumped out approximately 125 gallons of the collected recycled waste oil.
 Worked on fence and gate repair by the metal header.
 Worked with nursery contractor on coordinating the planting of the trees that were obtained thru project canopy.
 I have been working with Bill Reinhart of George C. Hall construction and obtained several thousand yards of clay material from the Wal-Mart construction project. The clay material will be used for placement around the inside perimeter of the quarry to continue to proactively manage fire and prepare for our next lift. The clay and trucking was obtained at no cost.
 Met with Al Caprio of Maine Municipal Association to review the Leader program dealing with Safety. Mr. Caprio reviewed the written programs, training and several other safety related documents. A site walk thru was also conducted.
 I am reviewing the legal interpretation of LD 1278 - the tax on incoming C&D. Part of the new law excludes municipal landfills that are less than 6 acres in size. If you count the Phase one south, which is a closed municipal solid waste landfill the size is 7.5 acres. If you do not count the closed municipal landfill the size is 4.9 acres. I have asked Woodard & Curran to give guidance on what portions must be included as it pertains to the law.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
 Recreation Building
o The ramp for the ADA front entrance is going to be extended on a temporary basis, just until we can redo the parking lot. The parking lot will allow us to reduce the grade at the start of the side walk.