The Rockland Report

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Attended council meeting Monday night.
 Attended annual Maine Town City Managers Institute.
OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Several camera and inspections at Waldo Avenue pump station to address leaks. Also walking of the banks along the pump station for evaluation.
 Piping and installation of chemical pump with chemical stand.
 Fixed primary #2 scraper.
 Clean vortex and contact chambers.
 Grit containers and sludge trailers.
 Met with a property owner regarding Lindsey Brook issues.
 Vac truck cleaning at landfill.
 Dye testing at Traverse, Rankin, Talbot and Summer Streets at various addresses.
 Use of push camera on Talbot, Rankin.
 Located manhole 422 on upper Rankin.
 Brook samples taken at Lindsey Brook.
 Sewer call 33 Lovejoy Street.
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Approved AP Warrant.
 Month End Journal Entries, General Ledger Work.
 Worked with Assessor on Committing Tax Rate.
 Purchase Order Training.
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
In addition to responding to 259 calls for services this past week and making 53 arrests; summons were made for various offenses, including Bail Violations, Warrants of Arrest, Theft, Domestic violence, Robbery, Assault, Drug Offenses, Alcohol Offenses and Traffic offenses. Officers handled 10 traffic crash investigations and six 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:
 Traffic Officer Troy Peasley assisted the City Code Enforcement office with sidewalk permit compliance with downtown businesses.
 Sgt. Finnegan attended the IACP conference on Drug, Alcohol and Impaired Driving in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this past week. Funding for his attendance was provided by Knox County Community Health Coalition. KCCHC is one of our partners in addressing substance use and abuse factors within our community. We thank them for their continued support and all they do for the Rockland community.
 The Maine Boats, Homes and Harbor Show was an extremely busy period for the Police Department and I am pleased to say that the event was free of any problems.
OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Busy? Yah, you betcha. The Lyman Morse sponsored "Penobscot Bay Rendezvous" and the New York Yacht Club are both in town at the same time and all of those boats want dock space and moorings. Or advice on anchoring and grocery stores, and parking and launch services.
 Finished off the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show. By all accounts it was one of the best, and we are back to the regular Thursday farmer's market.
 Two big schooners have been in this week, the Virginia, the official state vessel of Virginia, and the Germania Nova, a recent recreation of a 1908, 152' racing schooner yacht.
 Met with Rene Dorr, Greg Blackwell, John Holden and the heads of the Midcoast Chamber to discuss cruise ship visits to Rockland Harbor. We are anticipating the first visit on September 15th.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 The commitment was completed on Monday.
 The final rate was $19.52, Municipal rate = $8.89, School rate = $9.73, County rate = $.90.
 Tax Bills are being confirmed and should be mailed by the end of the week.
OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 The Code Office received a Site Plan Review Application for the proposed construction of a 512 sq.ft. building that will serve as a Take Out food business.
 There were two complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 4 Building permits
o 6 Electrical permits
o 2 Plumbing permits
o 1 Sign permit
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:
 The Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show went well from our perspective with all shifts touring the grounds to decipher the layout and to examine critical areas. I am pleased to report that the show concluded without incident.
 The Department tested two wheeled stokes basket carriers in order to assist with the movement of non-ambulatory patients over long distances such as the Rockland Breakwater, rural areas, etc. The system will increase both patient and firefighter safety when making these long treks.
 The Department made two Life Safety Code inspections.
OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Outreach to existing business undergoing expansion and potential future expansions. Assist in company being aware of potential State benefits to assist in expansion as well as Regional Micro Loan Program.
 Coordinate and continue outreach to companies met at Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbor Show including coordinating outreach with Maine DECD to same.
 Prepare for Council Workshop on Tax Increment Financing.
 Follow up with potential property owners to City Brownfield Program.
 Assist and coordinate documentation for CDBG Downtown and Façade Program, moving each towards close out.
 Follow up with contractor and Finance Office on City CDBG housing programs.
 Met with regional advisor and housing consultant regarding potential housing programs for 2014.
 Follow up with DECD on preparations for Community for Maine Future funding (Thorndike Parking lot).
 Attend and advise Harbor Trail Committee on funding and implementation activities.
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Monday brought an ever-increasing number of attendees for Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class; her Tuesday class for children remains very popular, as well.
 Marty Schindler’s reading aloud of the Redwall books continued...come in on Thursdays as he reads through the series.
 A specialist in restoration, Kyle Swan, visited the Library to take a look at our newest water issue, which is centered around one of the high arched windows in the Reading Room. I have asked Kyle to provide me with information and costs for a temporary solution, as well as a more comprehensive plan for remediation.
 I spoke with Al Hodson of Resurgence Engineering with regard to other building issues (mostly mortar-related) mentioned in my weekly report of June 24. Al has some other business in the area, and will be paying us a visit when he attends to those; I will keep you updated.
 Audette returned this week to address the water found inside the chimney during a recent large rain storm.
 Friends’ President’s daughter Bea Weinand held Storytime at the Rockland Farmers’ Market—thank you so much, Bea!
 Thursday evening Arts & Cultural series featured author Rick Rubin, speaking about his fascinating book, The Last of the Doughboys.
 Younger patrons had the opportunity to dig up clues with Greg McAdams.
 The Summer Reading Finale was held this weekend, with prizes and several other enjoyable events—make your own sundaes, for one.
 Upcoming event of note: Marcus Perman will be giving a talk on understanding diversity in Tibetan Buddhism.
 Don’t forget to participate in the Maine Readers’’ Choice Award-- Read now—voting starts in September!! http://mainereaderschoiceaward.org/
OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Installed outside drain in front of the North overhead door of the recycling building to keep water from running inside the building.
 Completed facility mowing and litter pick up.
 Commercial haulers requested the facility to be open for three hours on Monday to accept extra waste generated by the Boats Homes and Harbors Show. The extra costs are paid by the Commercial Haulers.
 The Waste Water Treatment Facility assisted with the vactor truck to clean the sumps and trenches in the basement of the transfer station. Interstate septic was also called in to jet all drain lines the basement pump was also removed and cleaned. A need drain strainer was designed and built at Rockport Steel to prevent solids from entering and plugging the drain lines.
 Clay was relocated around the perimeter of the landfill.
 I was contacted by a consulting firm about a potential dredging job in Southport. The firm is looking for a possible disposal location. This may be an opportunity to obtain dredge material that could be used as fire breaks within the landfill in addition to making up a large portion of landfill revenue budget. Dredge spoils take up less space and could be used beneficially within the landfill. I will know more as time progresses if this is a possibility.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Handled General Assistance inquiries.
 Met with clients who had scheduled appointments.
 Updated General Assistance Paperwork and client files.
 Made appointments for clients who did not have any scheduled.
 Handled monthly reports to the State.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Working on replacing sidewalks on Union Street and Main Street including backfilling and seeding areas.
 Completed trash pick-up.
 Continued street sweeping efforts.
 Watered pole flowers.
 Set up and removed voting booths and signage at recreation center for RSU13 budget vote.
 Tree/bush trimming to remove for signs, and sidewalk obstructions.
 Mowed Pine Street, Limerock Street and Snow Marine Park for city owned buildings.
 Reset picnic tables and trash cans at Public Landing after festivals.
 Cold patched numerous city streets.
 Mechanic working on Ford 2010 1 ton oil leak, welding work on side mower and fuel tank steps on 2011 dump truck, repaired strobe lights on 2009 pickup, removed turbo from 2007 dump truck in preparation of a replacement.
 Next week plan to continue with sidewalk replacements on Union and Main Streets, roadside mowing, tree trimming, sign maintenance, hot patching, and street sweeping.
OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 Construction at the Ferry Terminal Park is moving along this week. They have the statue pads in place and the blocks are being moved for seating. They have started to lay out the patch.
 The Recreation Crew has gone down and made sure that the Festival grounds are clean after the busy last couple weeks.
 All the banks at the beach have been cleaned and trimmed and the beach is looking good.
 The Recreation Crew has been doing maintenance and clean up this week to insure the areas that have been improved stay that way.

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