The Rockland Report

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Continued working with staff on Ferry Terminal Park improvements.
 Responded to request for information from the Teamsters business agent.
 Followed up on citizen requests.
 Met with the Chair of EDAC to discuss the status of the re-visioning work.
 Followed up with staff on Harbor Trail improvements, including the installation of new trail marker signs, easement acquisitions, and other trail improvements.
OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Replaced the belt filter press horizontal belt and several rollers.
 Replaced a valve on the suction side of the grit pump. The valve casing had rusted through and was leaking.
 Replaced an oil seal on No. 2 Secondary Clarifier drive unit.
 Replaced all GFI receptacles in the Press Room due to all had failed.
 Cleaned and inspected the sewer line on Maverick Street. The old clay pipe is in bad shape in places and a repaired section of pipe is offset. Infiltration was prevalent at the pipe offset.
 Inspected the sewer line on Purchase Street and found the pipe is in need of repair.
 Cleared a blocked sewer line on Rankin Street.
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
In addition to responding to 263 calls for services this past week and making 14 arrests; summons were made for various offenses, including Bail Violations, Warrants of Arrest, Theft, Domestic violence, OUI, Alcohol Offenses and Traffic offenses. Officers handled 13 traffic crash investigations and 13 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:
 Chief Boucher participated in the Maine Boats, Harbor and Home Show emergency management response planning during critical situations.
 Officers of the police department are assisting an outside agency with an internal investigation.
 We are keeping busy with 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.
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Year End Work – general ledger work.
 Attended Midcoast Veterans Memorial Meeting.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 With the commitment close to being finalized the breakdown is as follows for Real Estate;
Type of Property % of Total Parcels % of Total Valuation
Residential
Vacant & Improved 82% 48%
Commercial
Vacant & Improved 11% 24%
Industrial
Vacant & Improved 1% 5%
Exempt
Vacant & Improved 6% 24%
Classified
Vacant & Improved 0% 0%
Taxable Real Estate (Real Estate – Exempt) 92%
Taxable Personal Property 8%
OFFICE OF THE FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 Issued one lot storage permit.
 The F/V Western Sea off loaded 680,000 lbs. of herring.
 The F/V Western Wave off loaded 140,000 lbs. of herring.
 Lobster price is around $2.45 a pound.
 Held Fish Pier Advisory Board meeting.
OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Hosted the Friendship Sloop Days and rendezvous at the Public Landing, while also having the start and finish of the Rockland Yacht Club's race to Castine.
 Pulled a small sailboat off the beach that had just gone adrift, and reunited it with the owner.
 Finished and installed the new stairs and platform for the big ramp at the Middle Pier docks.
 Met with the Chiefs and the Maine Boats and Homes people to discuss the emergency plan for their festival.
 Took a later in the year than usual reservation for a medium sized cruise vessel to visit Rockland three times during late summer 2014. More details as it gets firmed up.
OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John inspected three houses this week that are undergoing total renovations.
 The Code Office has been informed that a four family dwelling that has had multiple problems in the past is going to be turned into a single family home.
 There were six complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 5 Building permits
o 4 Electrical permits
o 2 Plumbing permits
o 2 Sign permits
o 1 Street Excavation permit
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:
 All shifts toured the Lonza facility as part of our annual familiarization with the building.
 The Department provided confined space entry coverage for FMC as they performed maintenance on portions of their facility. This coverage is directly reimbursed by FMC.
 The Fire Chief, along with the Police Chief, Harbormaster and Knox EMA Director Ray Sisk, participated in an emergency planning meeting for the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Met with clients with scheduled appointments
 Scheduled appointments for residents seeking assistance.
 Handled General Assistance inquiries.
 Updated General Assistance Paperwork and client files.
OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Met with engineering companies to seek out input and proposals for engineering services for variety of projects including Thorndike Parking, portions of Harbor Trail, Harbor Park.
 Met with agent for New Market Tax Credits to learn options for use by business within the City.
 Reviewed and followed up on CDBG Façade projects as well as CDBG Housing programs with contractor.
 Meet with developer of housing project.
 Followed up with potential developer and City Attorney on same for project along Park Street.
 Advise and coordinate contractor work for Ferry Park project.
 Receipt of and provide guidance and instructions to Public Works for posting of new Harbor Trail signs; follow up on same and next stages with Committee Chair.
 Follow up with property owners along Tillson and Winter Streets, re: development projects as per the Tillson Avenue Waterfront Plan.
 Finalize draft budget for Thorndike Parking area project in coordination with public restroom project.
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Mike Donnelly (electrician) repaired two outside lights which were allowing water to channel into the building’s interior. He will be returning to make them more secure (they have insufficient bolts).
 PenBay Glass replaced the broken unit to the large window in the Children’s Room.
 Therapy dog Leeloo was happy to participate in Wednesday’s Storytime, along with her handler, Steve Seekins.
 Marty Schindler’s reading aloud of the Redwall books continued...come in on Thursdays as he reads though the series.
 Thursday evening Arts & Cultural series featured a discussion with Alan Magee and Rob Shetterly on Social Protest, Social Change & the Role of Art.
 Friends’ Board member Marilyn Trask entertained youngsters and their families during Storytime at the Rockland Farmers’ Market.
 The second of two programs from KNO-WAL-LIN on choices for End-of-life was held on Saturday.
 Also on Saturday, teens, tweens, and younger kids had a chance to learn about, and enjoy, edible flowers!
 Upcoming events of note: an interactive program on lobster science, on Tuesday evening—to get everyone geared up for—what else?—the Lobster Festival!
OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 The 3 phase transformer outside the transfer station was replaced last week (it failed due to age and heat) and on Saturday night the new transformer was hit by lightning. Just the lightning protection had to be repaired on 7/22/13. The lightning also tripped all the overhead motor switches in the transfer station building; an electrician was called to trouble shoot the problem and reset the overhead door switches.
 Our new peroxide provider was requiring the determination on whether the solid waste facility needs to conform to the new Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). After contacting the CDFAT help desk and discussing the issue with the Waste Water Treatment Director we appear to be exempt under the “Treatment Works” exemption. I have forwarded this information to Monson the new peroxide provider.
 Attended the Midcoast Economic Development District Solid Waste Planning Advisory Committee in Damariscotta.
 Repaired a section of guarding on the 816 F Compactor that was damaged by a 12’’x12’’ beam that was kicked up by the compactor wheels. The part was removed straightened, painted and reinstalled.
 Participated in the Maine Resource Recovery Association Board of Directors teleconference.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Repaired sewer basin on Camden Street at Maverick Street.
 Repaired sewer basin on Broadway at Summer Street.
 Crew did final grade to sidewalks on Rankin Street and Union Street for paving.
 Picked up all trash cans and tables at Public Landing for Lobster Festival.
 Cold patched Public Landing.
 Paving prep on Claremont Street.
 Watered flowers on Monday and Thursday.
 Installed sign on Main Street for Community Development project.
 Working on installing cement pads for benches at Sandy Beach.
 Paint Crew painted some parking stalls and finished painting crosswalks. Also marked out some parking stalls on Main Street.
 Paint Crew trimmed trees in Downtown area, unable to paint due to weather.
OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The Rec. Crew was working on Harbor Park Monday and Tuesday weeding and cleaning. The park is in very good shape going into the festival so the work required this year was much less than years past.
 There has been a new walkway added from the parking lot to the stage at Harbor Park.
 The roses around the flag pole at the Harbor Master’s office have been cleaned up so the pole is now accessible.
 The bases for the Memorial Benches at Sandy Beach have been installed and we will put benches in as soon as the concrete is set up.
 The Senior Bus Trip sponsored by the Recreation Department was Wednesday. Thirty people went to Portland to take a boat ride and then dinner at Dunstan School Restaurant.