The Rockland Roport

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Assistant to the City Manager attended the Midcoast Transportation Committee meeting. Updates on this study can be seen at http://www.midcoastplanning.org/transitstudy.html.
 Assistant to the City Manager attended Rockland Main Street’s Economic Restructuring Committee meeting.
 “So You Think You Knox Rockland.” Will be at 6:00pm on Wednesday May 1st at the Strand Theater. This year the city has two teams participating, Will’s Warriors, led by our illustrious Mayor Will Clayton, and Rockland Fire Department.
 Attended a meeting with the Community Development Director, Deputy Commissioner of Transportation and Senator Mazurek to discuss concerns, solutions, and funding for Old County Road.
 Met with the Harbor Master and Frank O'Hara Jr., listened to concerns and discussed possible solutions to benefit all others needing access to the water.
 Along with the Community Development Director, I met with a representative from Cape Air and their presence and commitment to the City of Rockland.
 Met with representatives from the Jameson Point association. We have decided that due to the controversial nature of port-a-potties along this area, we will not be placing these facilities out this year. Instead, we have discussed with the Samoset, and they have agreed to provide signage to direct visitors to their facilities and visitors to the breakwater will have access to the Samoset restrooms.
 Met with school officials to discuss Skate Park.
 Attended REDAC meeting.
OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 We worked on replacing a section of city water line in the main building due to corrosion. The final tie in will take place next week.
 We changed out the aeration blowers’ main intake filter this week.
 Responded to a sewer backup on Warren Street.
 Working with a resident on Talbot Avenue on a new sewer connection.
 Replaced the damaged fencing around the Tillson Avenue pump station.
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
In addition to responding to 168 calls for services this past week and making seven arrests; summons were made for various offenses, including Theft, Assault, Disorderly conduct, Warrants of Arrest, Bail Violations and traffic offenses. Officers handled four traffic crash investigations and five domestic and wild animal problems. Along with other duties and shift assignments, members of the police department were involved in the following highlights this past week:
 Officers conducted a class on Elder Fraud for residents at the Rankin Center.
 Chief Boucher attended an executive board meeting of Sexual Assault Support Services of Mid-Coast Maine.
 Chief Boucher attended a class at this weeks' Emergency Management Services Conference in Augusta about the Newtown CT school shooting incident.
 Officers are preparing for the National Drug Take Back event to be held this Saturday 4/27 between 10 am and 2 pm at Rockland City Council Chambers.
 Met with the City Manager and the Finance Director regarding the Police budget.
OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Followed up with Downtown property owner on CDBG programs, eligibility, etc.
 Continued business and community outreach including meetings with local bank, party interested in potential site in downtown, Cape Air, and others.
 Attended Economic Development Council of Maine seminar, focused on energy development.
 Met with DECD to confer on changes to Tax Increment Financing District regulations, rules.
 Met with Maine DOT to discuss improvements to City transportation infrastructure.
 Attended Midcoast Economic Development District Executive Committee meeting.
 Followed up with funding agency regarding completion of Project Canopy project (grant).
OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 Lincoln Street Center, purchased by Orchid LLC, received Conditional Use Approval from the Planning Board to establish a new Center for Arts, Culture and Education. With excellent planning and outreach to the neighborhood by the owner prior to coming before the Planning Board, approval was obtained after only two meetings. This is a very exciting endeavor, which promises to become a centerpiece for Rockland.
 The Planning Board also granted Subdivision Approval for the Navigator Motel to convert nine motel units into three condominiums.
 A permit application and plans were submitted for an expansion of office space for Philbook & Associates within the existing building at 17 Walnut Street. This is the third expansion since they moved to this location and will result in 3,000 square feet of office space.
 The Sail Power & Steam Museum at Sharps Point South has submitted an application and plans to convert storage space on the third floor of the Museum to a 1,000 sq. ft. library/reading room.
 There were two complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o Four Building permits
o One Driveway permit
o One Sewer Connection permit
o One Sign permit
o One Street Excavation permit
OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Sales ratio study had an average ratio of 106% and a quality rating of 15.
 Processed Personal Property declarations that are being returned.
 Reviewed building permits for completion of work done.
 Preliminary State Valuation for 2014 is $751,700,000. This is a -1.75% from last year.
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Approved Accounts Payable Warrant.
 Budget – continued Department Head meetings.
 Finalized AP checks on Laser Stock- next step EFT payments to use even less stock.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Handled 30 different calls, walk-ins and e-mails.
 Handled 15 different appointments.
 Updated client files.

OFFICE OF THE FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 Two Lobster Buyer Station Permits were issued this week. All Buyer Stations are filled.
 Commenced working on camels for placement in water for fender ring off F/V Western Sea when they return to their berth.
 Continued with clean up and consolidation of all trash around the Municipal Fish Pier, for spring clean up by Public Works.
OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Worked on floats at Snow Park and the Middle Pier.
 Worked on the public restroom cosmetics and a bit of freshening-up so it should be ready to open on Monday.
 Met with the City Manager and Frank O'Hara Jr. to discuss possible modifications to the channel in the north end.
 We let Steve Hale move his new food wagon into Buoy Park a week early, so he could start to try it out before the season started.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 On Monday we will begin our summer schedule of four, ten hour days, Monday thru Thursday from 6:00am to 4:30pm.
 Cut out, repaired, and adjusted two sewer manholes on Talbot Avenue.
 Stockpiled 1” and 3” minus gravel, stocking manhole frame and covers, granite curb (new and old), and road paint for use this spring on various projects.
 Swept roads as much as weather permitted.
 Dropped off and picked up older backhoe after having issues with differential heating up after initial repairs done.
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Audette was back this week to complete the work around the chimney. The parapet wall was routed and repointed. Rubble left from the earlier work has been cleared out, as well.
 On Monday, the Library hosted Inspired by Nature: Earth Day Poetry Reading (Co-Sponsored by Georges River Land Trust.)
 This week’s Fireside Poetry Reading featured Native American Poetry with Lacy Simons, Cheryl Savageau, and Carol Bachofner.
 Friend’s board member and former teacher Nancy Eugley assisted the Children’s Librarian during the next-to-last Family Place™ workshop; this week’s resource person was Florence Baker, a clinical dietician from Pen Bay Health.
 Cordjia sent Dale from ABM, who completed the final work on the HVAC system.
 It’s the Poetry Swarm for Thursday Evening’s Arts & Cultural Event! Poetry Contest winners are announced. In addition to some great Maine poets, the contest winners will read their entry.
 We’re hosting an author reading on Saturday on the Life of Poet Wallace Stevens by Alison Johnson.
 Also on Saturday, the Children’s Department will host the Homeschool Helper; Sara Cowperthwaite will visit with potential home school families and share information on home school laws, different styles of homeschooling and ways to implement learning in daily life for younger grades.
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:
 Shift training this week featured two topics; structural firefighting tactics and the forestry equipment on Engine 1, as it is grass/brush fire season.
 Began spring cleaning of the yard with a full truckload of debris being taken to the transfer station.
 Assembled data for the federal reimbursement of expenses pertaining to the February blizzard.
 Stood by and provided a support function for the USCG as they mitigated a small Freon leak on the Abbie Burgess.
 The Fire Chief met with the City Manager and the Finance Director regarding the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) budgets.
OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Worked on recycle bin cart chucks to prevent the bins from moving.
 Met with the MRRA government affairs committee to review the new paint recycling product stewardship proposal.
 The D5M bulldozer was serviced as part of the CAT preventative service agreement.
 Participated in the interview process for the Solid Waste Facility position opening.
 Inspected the landfill as part of an unannounced inspection from DEP. Overall, the DEP were pleased with the result of this inspection and found no violations.
 The compost was turned and the compost area was reorganized in preparation for spring cleanup.
 We have begun to sell this year’s “dump stickers”.
 We had to have Gordon Libby haul two loads of waste to PERC due to the Western Star being repaired.
OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 We requested RFP for landscaping in the front of the building.
 I am working with MDOT to finalize the plans for the new sidewalk around the playground and the front of the building. The additional work requested by the state has been holding this up.
 I have a date for the company to come in and set up the weight room equipment. They will be here Tuesday.
 The mowing should start this weekend or the first of next week.
 Due to the weather it has been difficult to get some needed outdoor work completed, let’s hope for sun and warm temperatures.