The Rockland Report

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Met with Greg Gordon, Director for Shore Excursions along with our Community Development Director, the Chamber Director, and Councilor Isganitis.
 Attended the REDAC meeting.
 Attended school safety meeting here at City Hall.
 Attended a meeting and tour of the Fisher manufacturing facility along with the Community Development Director and Chris Rector from Senator King’s office.
 Continued discussions with the Finance Director for budget preparation.
 This morning the Taxation Committee held the work session on LD 167, An Act to Base Motor Vehicle Excise Tax on the Purchase Price of the Motor Vehicle. After a lengthy Committee discussion it became clear that there was little sentiment for an additional $10 million hit to municipal revenue. Even a supporter of the bill (Senator Doug Thomas) offered an amendment that proposed changing the annual excise tax rates but in a way that supposedly provided municipalities the same revenue. The Committee voted to kill the amendment on a 7 -5 vote and then voted Ought Not To Pass 8-4 on the bill itself. A positive start but the bill now heads to the Senate and House for debate.
 This afternoon, the Taxation Committee voted out the MMA initiated bill LD 136, An Act To Connect Benefits Provided under the Circuitbreaker Program with the Payment of Property Taxes unanimously Ought to Pass As Amended. This bill would add the municipality’s name to the Circuitbreaker benefit check of any homeowner who had unpaid property taxes from the previous year. (See the MMA Legis. Bulletin Feb. 15 for detailed bill description)
 The end of the “slow start” to the Legislative Session appears to be at hand. The next week’s schedule includes public hearings on several bills of importance to municipalities including Disaster Assistance (LD 122) Monday in Criminal Justice, two Eminent Domain bills (LDs165 & 311) in Judiciary Wednesday, a controversial Sex Offender bill (LD 498) in Criminal Justice on Friday and a bill in Transportation Friday (LD 483) expanding the business signing statutes that promises to turn out a very large crowd.

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
In addition to responding to 209 calls for services this past week and making 10 arrests; summons were made for various offenses, including motor vehicle burglary, OUI, aggravated drug trafficking, disorderly conduct, probation violations and warrants. 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:
 Members of the detective division assisted the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office with an investigation on suspects who live in Rockland. These suspects were located and interviewed regarding involvement in the dissemination of child pornography.
 The patrol division arrested Robert Sukeforth (41 years of age) from Rockland for multiple motor vehicle burglaries. As a result of evidence obtained by a search warrant, three additional motor vehicle burglaries were linked to Sukeforth.
 Members of the detective division executed two search warrants related to a burglary investigation. As a result of those search warrants evidence has been recovered and suspects involved in the burglary have been identified. This is an ongoing investigation and no arrests have been made at this time.
 Sergeant Finnegan presented training concerning drug recognition at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
 Attended a Knox County Community Health Coalition Advisory Board meeting.
 Chief Boucher attended a Community School Safety Advisory meeting regarding safety issues within the school facilities.
 Applications closed for the Patrol officer positions on Friday.
 And a special “Thank You” to the members of the Public works department for their assistance in providing critical information to the police department to help solve the motor vehicle burglaries during the two snow storms this week.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Reviewed, drafted and prepared follow up on existing CDBG projects and alternative use of funds.
 Meetings and introductions with existing businesses including Fisher, followed up with FMC and restaurants downtown.
 Discussed TIF program, funding options for City.
 Outreach to housing developers and outside businesses.
 Participated in CruiseMaine and Rockland cruise business familiarization tour.
 Sent letter to property owners along Camden Street about EDAC’s efforts and followed up with calls to many.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 Final inspection was done and a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy was issued for the Home Kitchen Café. They re-opened Wednesday 2/27/13.
 The Rockland Code Office hosted an MCEOA meeting on Wednesday. The meeting featured Bob LeClair, a director from the State of Maine Manufactured Housing Board, and was very informative both for Code Enforcement and Manufactured Home Dealers.
 An inquiry was made by a property owner in the south end about renting their entire home out seasonally by the week/month.
 John assisted the fire department with an inspection at 475 Main Street after a frozen sprinkler caused major water damage. John discussed renovations with the owner as well as a possible change of use for the second floor.
 License inspections were done with Fire Department personnel at Primo’s Restaurant and Trackside Station.
 There was one complaint filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o Three Building permits
o One Driveway permit
o Three Electrical permits
o One Sign permit
o Two Street Excavation permits

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:
 The Department performed two inspections for compliance with the Life Safety Code in support of business licenses.
 The Department held its required annual workplace safety training session
 The duty shifts shoveled out the fire hydrants from yet another snowstorm.
 Department leadership met with the Emergency Department at Pen Bay Medical Center for what we hope will become a regular discussion of our services’ relationship and how the same relates to the best patient care possible.
 The Department conducted shift training on Confined Space Rescue.

OFFICE OF THE FISHERMAN’S PIER DIRECTOR
 Worked on end of month metered billing statements.
 One Permit was issued this week for lot storage.
 Worked on department annual report.
 Documented monthly minutes of the Fish Pier Advisory Board meeting.

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Processing Personal Property declarations returns.
 Finalizing three abatement requests.
 Working on update with Vision.

OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Approved AP Warrant.
 Met with TD Bank on banking services they offer – soliciting business.
 Audit Work - Auditors are due back beginning of March to finish up.
 Continued with budget work.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Met with the Community Development Director, the new Chamber of Commerce Director and members of the Cruise Maine Coalition to discuss the coming year and Rockland's expected cruise ship visits for this summer.
 Processed another stack of mooring permit renewals; a bit more than halfway there, I expect a last minute flurry since the renewal date is by March 15. We are at just about the same number of renewals as we've been for the last 5 years.
 Discussed using and permitting additional floats for the after school sailing program with the Apprenticeshop.
 Discussed the operation of the Rockland Yacht Club's new launch service and how it may affect this office and the smooth operation of the harbor.
 Took my annual drug test for my USCG/Homeland Security licenses.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 City wide sanding call-in on Saturday night.
 Plowed all day Sunday for an 8” snowstorm and Wednesday night for a 3” snowfall mixed with rain.
 Hauled snow from parking lots on Monday and Tuesday with Public Works trucks during regular hours.
 Plowed sidewalks all week.
 Picked up 2001 dump truck from O’Connor’s after replacement of fuel pump.
 Continuous work all week clearing snow from catch basins and ditches.
 Our winter accounts of overtime is 90% depleted, salt is 72% depleted, and hired equipment is approx. $15,000 over budget. Still have unpredictable month of March in front of us.
 Sand pile is starting to run low but still have enough to battle a few more storms.
 While plowing, public works personnel notified dispatch in two separate incidents, which led to arrests due to criminal activity in progress.
 Worked on equipment/vehicles in preparation of predicted snowstorms.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 The Library Technician/Adult Programming position was offered to and accepted by Ben Blackmon.
 I met via phone with Attorney Beal regarding the final distribution to the Library from the estate of Elizabeth Tyrrell.
 Book Soup held an enjoyable (and tasty) meeting, where a variety of books from different genres were promoted.
 A Nook eBook workshop is being held this Thursday afternoon, the last in a series on eBook readers in February.
 I met with the curator of the Rockland Historical Society to discuss a grant.
 This Thursday Evening’s Arts & Cultural Events program is a presentation of the film Hugo
 On Saturday, the March of the Elephants will begin, with presenters from Hope Elephants and Sweet Tree Arts, sharing facts and stories for 3-8 year olds. , with Post-film discussion led by Bill Halpin & Saskia Huising.
 The Federal 1040 Instruction Books and forma have at long last arrived.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Conducted preventative maintenance on all equipment.
 Participated in another MRRA Government Affairs Committee meeting and a Board of Directors meeting.
 I have received confirmation from DEP to try out the short paper fiber as a daily cover as a substitute for clay. I am working with Bill Michaud from Casella Organics on the details. Daily cover will be needed in the not too distant future for litter control as we get closer to the quarry rim.
 Submitted Budget.
 Interstate septic was called in to unplug the sewer line. It appears that a bird somehow got into the line and was the cause of the blockage.
 We have begun to scrape the flaking building paint by the older recycle area. We will be working on sprucing the area up.
 I have contacted another pay as you throw vendor trying to obtain prices on bags and stickers.
 Reviewed applications for the upcoming vacancy.
 Collected water level data from 12 monitoring wells and 23 piezometers.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The 2nd & 3rd grade basketball program comes to an end here at the Recreation Building this week. The kids played a game and then went into the game room for a pizza party to end the season. It’s been lots of fun for the past eight weeks.
 With the new caps installed on the parapets the building has been fairing well during this wet and cold weather over the past couple of weeks. The real test will be in the spring when the real rain and winds will show us how we are doing. I am very hopeful that we have finally found and corrected the problem.
 The travel teams for the Recreation Department start their season this week and over the next month will be traveling around the state.
 The game room is going to be under construction soon as we are looking at contactors to finish up this project.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Submitted an annual Tier 2 Chemical Inventory Report to MEMA, Knox County EMA and the fire department.
 Completed a review of the current draft MEPDES permit. The permit will likely be finalized next week.
 Made an offer to fill the maintenance mechanic position. The offer was accepted and the mechanic will start next week.
 Inspected a sewer lateral for a homeowner on Berkley Street. Found the lateral to be full of tree roots. The homeowner is working with Interstate to clean his line.
 Started a manhole survey/inspection this week.