The Rockland Report

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Met with Jeff Charland & Jim Gamage Jr. to discuss options and alternatives to work with Rockland Main Street and Main Street businesses to better manage snow removal from Main Street sidewalks. Jeff and Jim will be exploring partnerships and may return with a plan for Rockland Main Street to play a more active role in assisting businesses with snow removal.
 Central Maine Power began their line maintenance program. We provided their representative a copy of the agreement and our expectations for adherence to this agreement.
 A Request for Proposals has been issued for Environmental Consulting Services to assist the City in administering a Brownfields Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bids are due February 1, 2013 at 3:00 PM.
 We received written communication from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP), clearing the City of any concerns for buried paint at the Transfer Facility. After digging 5 test pits and testing each site using a 4-gas meter for residual hydrocarbons, no buried paint or other hazardous materials were discovered. I wanted to recognize the professionalism of Dave
St. Laurent and other City Staff who handled themselves professionally and who quickly contacted MDEP to ensure that we properly managed this concern utilizing existing environmental guidelines to ensure this site was properly inspected and cleared.
 Contacted Will Gartley of Gartley & Dorsky to review services for proceeding with additional engineering for the Harbor Park Redesign Committee. We hope to provide that committee with guidance and costs estimates so they may resume their work on this plan.
 The City continues to receive requests to inspect the City owned property at 328 Limerock, as well as requests for general property information from potential buyers for this property.
 We continue to work with Jonathan Taggart on the cannon restoration work for the two civil war cannon being stored in the storage lot. We hope to have a final written report with confirmed cost estimates ready to present to Council in February.
 As part of the consideration for the location of the proposed new public works garage at the Transfer Facility location, Dave St. Laurent is soliciting design services to review the current and possible future lay down areas for his operations. This plan will be used to ensure that both operations have adequate space and realistic work flows that allow both operations to exist at this location. We are anticipating those design estimates this Friday.
OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The Pee-Wee basketball program resumed this last Saturday and we had a lot of fun with games and kids hanging out in the game room.
 The K-1st grade basketball clinic and the 2nd & 3rd grade basketball league started this week and it was a blast. The kids are great and we had lots of parents taking pictures. The Girl’s Program has low numbers again this year, but there are about 40 boys taking part, and the K-1st clinic had over 40 kids this year. The groups have been really good to work with and there should be weeks of fun in their future.
 We will be offering new art programs here at the building beginning in February. These will be for kids and adults. I will include the flyer as soon as I have worked out all the details with the instructor.
 We will also be offering Zumba one night a week on Tuesdays (started this week) and a Mommy and Me yoga program (February) in the Tower Room.
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
In addition to responding to 174 calls for services this past week and making 17 arrests; summons were made for various offenses, including Theft, Violation of conditions of release, Alcohol Offenses, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass, Robbery and Warrants. Officers issued summons for 13 traffic offenses. Officers handled 10 traffic crashes. Along with other duties and shift assignments, members of the police department were involved in the following highlights this past week:
 Members of the detective division arrested Michael Willis (28) for the July 31st Robbery of Jensen's Pharmacy.
 We have completed the background investigation on a candidate for employment as a police officer and are proceeding to the final steps of the process.
 Members of the detective division attended a meeting with the District Attorney's Office and the Department of Health and Human Services in a collaborative effort to ensure that child abuse cases are being investigated, managed and prosecuted in the most effective manner possible.
 Officers have been conducting “enforcing the underage drinking laws” at both on premise and off premise alcohol seller sites around the city.
 Chief Boucher and Deputy Chief Tower attended the Mid-Coast School of Technology meeting regarding safety issues within the facility and community at large.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 Worked on required changes to the MUNIS Software. These changes affected the Courtesy Notices and the Budget Database.
 A Certificate of Occupancy was issued for the renovations at the Rite Aid Store.
 License inspections were done with the Fire Department at Suzuki’s Sushi, Domino’s Pizza, Wasses Hot Dogs, Rock City Café, Circle K Convenience Store and McDonalds.
 Dave Kalloch attended the Mid-Coast Regional Planning Commission Executive Board Meeting.
 There were two complaints filed this week.
 Reviewed for, inspected, and issued the following permits:
o Two Building permits
o Four Electrical permits
o Two Flood Plain permits
o Five Plumbing permits
o One Sewer Connect permit
o One Sign permit
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Handled 38 different calls, walk-ins and e-mails.
 Handled 10 different appointments.
 Updated client files.
OFFICE OF THE FISHERMAN’S PIER DIRECTOR
 The price for lobster has increased to $3.95 per pound.
 Issued three lot storage permits.
 The two camels, at F/V Western Sea berth, were removed from the water using Ohara’s crane services and a local diver. The camels were placed on the fish pier for spring maintenance.
 Attended Harbor Commission meeting.
 Attended City Council agenda setting meeting.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Reviewed the qualified sales for the past year. There were a total of 23 good sales, 22 resident sales, and two commercial sales. The average ratio is 102%.
 Sales from 4/1/2005 until now; the average overall ratio is 95% with 553 qualified sales, 394 of them being single family homes.
 The number of qualified sales has dropped from 140 in 2004 per year to 24 in 2012.
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Month End Journal Entries.
 Met with Auditors.
 Refreshed WWTF and Library on Munis Software.
 Worked with John Root on FY 2014 Budget Reports.
OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Attended the Harbor Commission meeting on Tuesday evening.
 Met with the good folks from Maine Boats Homes and Harbors to talk about a temporary second ramp from the Public Landing, to improve access and pedestrian traffic flow on our docks during their show.
 Met with Ann Schneider from the MMA to discuss employee safety training.
 Re-mapped our Public Landing docks for an electrical engineer to help design an electric supply system that will fit our needs.
 Processed and issued the first two dozen+ mooring permit renewals for 2013.
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:
 Assisted a citizen with troubleshooting of a pellet stove.
 Completed several Life Safety Code inspections for licensing purposes.
 From the world of Emergency Management, the EMA Director monitored the Wednesday conference call from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the expanding flu problem in Maine.
In order to prevent the disease from spreading, Maine CDC recommends following “No Flu 4 You” guidelines which include:
o Wash your hands: Both the general public and healthcare providers should remember to wash their hands frequently to prevent transmission of influenza
o Cover your cough: Use tissues, or cough into your sleeve
o Stay home when you are sick: Symptomatic individuals should remain home while sick. Maine CDC recommends staying home until 24 hours after fever resolves without the use of medications.
o Get Vaccinated: Maine CDC recommends vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, especially for those people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. Influenza vaccine is provided at no-cost by the state of Maine for children under the age of 19 years. Vaccine is still available through school sponsored vaccine clinics, healthcare providers, and many local pharmacies and offers protection in 14 days. For questions about vaccination please contact the Maine Immunization Program at 800-867-4775 or through immunizeme@maine.gov.
o For more information, please visit the Maine CDC website at www.maine.gov .
 Eastern Sprinkler and Penney Electric replaced the failed air compressor for the station sprinkler system. It is believed that the compressor was original to the system which was installed when the station was built in 1971. We hope the new compressor will provide such dependable, long service.
 The Department held its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening at City Hall in the Council Chambers. In addition to reports from the various committees and boards, special guest Captain Michael Clarke of the Bath Fire Department presented a slide show and talk on the initial response to the 9/11 World Trade
Center attack. Captain Clarke is a member of the first FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) to arrive at the site of the attacks that afternoon. He and his crew worked “the pile” and ‘the pit” for two weeks and the slide show focused on these rescue efforts.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Attended interviews with Personnel Board and Treatment Plant personnel for two environmental technician positions.
 Two City-wide sanding/salting call-ins; Monday A.M. and Thursday A.M.
 Week long snow/ice cleanup from parking lots, catch basins, and sidewalks.
 Public Works crew excavated and removed underground oil tank at MacDougal School and backfilled the hole. There was no apparent leakage and DEP was notified of such. Clean Harbors pumped sludge and water and cleaned out #2 oil residue in preparation of us scrapping the metal tank.
 Dug 5 test pits for MDEP at Transfer Station near current compost operation looking for any paint barrels that might have been buried. Nothing found.
 Picked up and disposed of lobster trap tree remnants and wreaths from Main Street and Union Street.
 Approximately half of temporary Harbor Trail signs have been installed. These signs will allow the Harbor Trail Committee to see what the final signs will look like and provide staff feedback for determination of the final location.
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 After noticing the smell of fumes we called in a service call for the boiler system. Among other things, the clean-out plates were not completely sealed, the primary control was found to be bad, and the filters were dirty. After making necessary repairs and replacement for boiler the fume odors were eliminated.
 Local artist Susan Beebe successfully repaired the damaged wall in the Community Room. You may recall a renter of the space taped something on the wall, which tore the postcard reproduction of President Taft’s historic visit to Rockland.
 A movie celebrating the life of recently deceased Ravi Shankar, RAGA: A Film Journey Into the Soul of India
 The Puzzle & Games Swap mentioned last week will be held this Saturday, and it’s not too late to get in on it. will be shown as part of the ongoing Thursday Evening Arts & Cultural Events programming; discussion led by Bill Halpin & Saskia Huising will follow.
 “Second Sunday” Teen Crafts are resuming, beginning this coming weekend. Bring your own supplies, or use Library-provided duct-tape.
OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 On 1/7/13 as directed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) Project Manager William Butler; (5) test pits were excavated to rule out the potential for buried paint waste or any other hazardous wastes at the Rockland
Solid Waste Facility. The test pits were selected and excavated by the employee that had made the allegation that hazardous wastes were buried in a specific area at the Facility. Originally only (4) test pits were requested by MDEP but one additional test pit was also excavated to rule out the possibility of hazardous waste disposal in the specified area. The (5) test pits uncovered no hazardous wastes, but did uncover miscellaneous non-hazardous wastes such as scrap metals. MDEP Project Manager Bill Butler was on site and inspected all (5) test pits. All test pits were also checked with a 4-gas meter for residual hydrocarbons’ (none were found). No sheen was visible in any of the test pits either.
 Attended MRRA Board of Directors Meeting.
 I have met with Mark St Germain of St Germain & Collins, Jeff Strang of CES & Randy Tomb of Woodard & Curran; all are Environmental Consulting Firms with experience in waste transfer operations design. I have requested that each firm provide a quote for a future c&d transfer operation conceptual design and turnaround time. We want to make sure that both the future c&d transfer area and public works garage are designed so that both operations can function efficiently. I should have the three quotes by 1/11/13.
 A section of ¼” cable wrapped around the final drive of the bulldozer and ruptured the final drive seal. The seal was replaced by Milton Cat. I am working with a mechanical engineer to install a guard ring to help prevent this from happening in the future. I am also making sure the daily check list includes checking for wire in the area of the final drives.
 Submitted weigh master licenses applications.
 Continued work on annual report.
 This week we have taken approximately 1,000 yards of clay fill from the Wal-Mart project. The clay is being used on the inside perimeter of the quarry for the next lift of waste.
 Continued work with DM&J on completing solid waste contract.
OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIRECTOR
 Ferraiolo Construction began replacement of sewer and storm drain pipelines on Talbot Avenue, east of Broadway. Approximately 100 ft. of 8” sewer and 80 ft. of 12” storm drain have been completed.
 Electrical Installations Inc. installed the new computers for the SCADA system at the Treatment Plant and is in the process of programming.
 Wilcox Electric continued work on wiring for the process controls and instrumentation at the Treatment Plant.
 Completed interviews for the two Environmental Technician positions.
 Submitted monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports to DEP.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
 Recreation
o Rockport Steel was here to finish up the welding and polishing on the front handrail. They have added a temporary piece on the corner where the stairs are going to go. This will be removed when the stairs are installed in the spring.
o The flashing work continues on the upper roof line and we hope for a completion in the very near future.
o The remodel of the game room is ongoing, the sprinklers and the fire alarm system were relocated this week.