The Rockland Report

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Met with staff to review Thorndike project as we prepare to release the RFP.
 Followed up and reviewed status of work on Ferry Terminal Park.
 Followed up and reviewed plans for annual Safety Day next Friday, October 4th.
 Met with staff to review stormwater and sewer related concerns and inspected various locations to discuss options moving forward.
 Held discussions with various individuals for possible public art to be displayed.
OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Replaced the drive gearbox on the gravity belt thickener.
 Replaced the No. 2 secondary clarifier drive motor and gearbox support brackets.
 Accepted a bid for No. 1 Primary Clarifier metalwork recoating.
 Carried out an emergency sewer pipe repair on Laurel Street.
 Repaired the library chiller unit water line.
 Responded to a resident request for a sewer line tie in evaluation on Suffolk Street.
 Inspected a lateral on Union Street to determine if the homeowner needs to replace it.
 Marked sewer lines for Dig Safe in four locations.
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant
 Year End Work – EMS Fund & CIP Fund
 Monthly Journal Entries
 Attended Mid-Coast Veterans Association Meeting.
 Met with Machias Savings Bank.
OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Even though we can really feel the approach of fall, the Public landing is still busy, both with overnight stays and shorter visits.
 Just one more scheduled visit of the ACL's Independence.
 Met with an inspector for the USCG to discuss harbor and Public Landing security needs as part of the larger Area Maritime Security Plan.
 Met with the City's Community Development Director to discuss the harbor grant applications for this fall.
 Did a lot of end of season holding tank pump outs for local boats.
 Winterized another handful of city rental moorings.
 Welcomed the Kiwi Spirit, the recently completed sailboat designed to try to set a new speed record as a solo-circumnavigator.
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF The officers responded to 187 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to nine motor vehicle crashes. Thirty five (35) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made multiple arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include bail violations, domestic assaults, OUIs, disorderly conduct, arrest warrants, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and drug offenses.
 Chief Boucher and Deputy Chief Tower conducted a “school lock-down” presentation to the Board of the Mid Coast School of Technology.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Processed real estate transfers.
 Analyzed current sales and the sales ratio.
 Talked with tax payers about the assessments.
 Reviewed permits that have been issued.
OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 Received a Planning Board pre-application meeting request from the owner of 743 Main Street to discuss opening a seafood restaurant.
 Issued a Building Permit for a 36,600 sq.ft. warehouse addition at 341 Park Street.
 Met with a vendor and contractors to review the installation of the new propane HVAC system at the soon to be, former WAL-MART property.
 A progress inspection was done on the work at 24 Lincoln Street.
 Attended the MCEOA Meeting in Rockport 9/25/13.
 Participated in a Floodplain Webinar presented by FEMA 9/25/13.
 Attended the MBOIA Membership/Training Meeting in Gray 9/26/13.
 There were three complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 8 Building permits
o 3 Electrical permits
o 1 Plumbing 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 Department responded under the local mutual aid agreement to upper Pleasant Street (Thomaston side) for a fire in a mobile home. Upon arrival it was found that the fire was under the home and the incident was quickly brought under control with a joint effort of the Rockland and Thomaston Fire Departments.
 The Department continued to work on employee evaluations.
 The Department participated in a benefit fundraiser by assisting with the cooking and serving of dinner.
 Assistant Chief Miceli participated in joint training with the Knox Regional Communications Center.
 Assistant Chief Mazzeo and Lt. Jamie Leo attended training on report writing.
 Annual state inspections of the apparatus are underway.
 At the request of the City Manager, the Fire Chief investigated a citizen complaint regarding possible illegal burning by a neighbor in the South end of Town. Upon arrival the Chief found the neighbor to be in compliance with all state and local regulations. Other investigations into related complaints have likewise found no violations. The Chief has since spoken with the complainant in order to ascertain specific concerns.
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 We had the most unusual visitor in my tenure this week, when a (presumably) young porcupine took up temporary residence in the Mountain Ash. There’s a picture of the little critter on the Library's Facebook page, taken by Alan Athearn in response to a call from a Library patron. We were very happy to see s/he’d left by the following morning, though; it didn’t seem the safest nesting place.
 With support from Terry Pinto and John Dutcher from the WPCF, and Energy Chair Larry Pritchett, JBI quickly found the leak in the AC’s water line and repaired this leak. Thank you to all involved!
 The second series of Family Place Libraries™ workshops began this week, with Friends’ Board Member (and retired teacher) Linda Gundel. “Miss Jean” had about a dozen families for 25 participating.
 Patty King held an impromptu Wednesday Storytime; while the Children’s Librarian was running the above-mentioned workshop.
 Marty Schindler’s reading aloud of the Redwall books concluded this week.
 The first of the school year’s Library visits to North Haven Community School Library began this week, with Jean Young bringing books and other requested items over.
 Thursday evening Arts & Cultural series featured author Robert (Bob) Branco, who wrote, Strike from the Deep, a mystery/thriller and modern-day pirate tale. This book is available at your beloved library.
 Upcoming events of note: Slide-Talk: Amazon Pueblo Project: Enterprise and Adventure in the Rainforest and the start of a six-week series of film and discussion entitled Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness.
 Did you know the Library has Kill a Watt Energy detectors to lend?
OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Painted the recycling building.
 Submitted the waste water pumping totals and analytical data.
 Conducted quarterly gas sampling.
 We had to have the 924 loader drive shaft seal replaced due to a piece of wire wrapping around while placing daily cover.
 Sent out a load of e-waste.
 Conducted waste water sampling.
 Working on repairing recycling bins and replacing wheels.
 Received comments on our annual report and operations manual revisions that were submitted at the end of March. A few recommendations were made and will be addressed.
 Scheduled Site Required Specific Training.
OFFICE OF THE FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 Damaged light pole fixtures have been replaced. More energy efficient light bulbs had to be ordered to replace burnt out bulbs. All ground fault outlet boxes have been repaired and are now working properly as designed.
 Continue with the general cleanup of the pier, floats, and user areas.
 The fuel station platform and fuel hose reels have been installed.
 Herring closure areas will be opened on October 1, 2013.
 Lobster price is around $3.10 a pound.
OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 Soccer games and clinics are now in full swing. There were games all over this last weekend. All of our 1st & 2nd graders played Saturday and our 3rd & 4th grade players were scattered around Knox County. Our 5th & 6th grade boys played at home and the girls were on the road in Waldoboro.
 Public works is working on installing the granite tables for the Ferry Terminal Park. This project should be complete by the first of next week.
 Preparations for the safety day are in place and we will be ready for October 4th.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Made appointments for clients who did not have any scheduled.
 Met with clients who had scheduled appointments.
 Handled General Assistance inquiries.
 Made referrals to the Disability Advocacy Program.
 Applied for SSDI Interim Reimbursements.
 Updated General Assistance Paperwork and client files.
 With the support from multiple departments, we have planned, scheduled and coordinated an annual safety day to be held on Friday, October 4th.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Completed cold patching over a three day period.
 Completed trash pickups, including roadside and watered pole flowers.
 Backfilled Talbot Avenue, which included loam, gravel, and seeding.
 Backfilling and leveling the former MacDougal school property in preparation of planned hydroseeding to restore this area.
 Prepped site, poured three concrete pads, and installed granite tables with benches at Ferry Terminal Park.
 Cut up and removed large limb that came down at Butler Square Park.
 Continued routine street sweeping activities.
 Assisting Lanes/MDOT with traffic control and sweeping of Limerock Street (Main to Union) and Claremont Street. Contractors work included grinding, shimming, tacking, and surface pavement. MDOT inspector was on site for quality control.
 Mechanics removed roadside mower from Kubota tractor and reinstalled backhoe, 2007 dump truck rear drum and brake shoes replaced, serviced leaf blowers, removed and repaired radiator in 1995 Kobelco excavator, flat tire and plow wing work.
 Next week we plan to prep and pave several areas including manholes, sidewalks on Union Street, and driveway aprons; ditching industrial park area between Thomaston Street and Gordon Drive, ditching work on Lake Avenue, final grading and hydroseeding at MacDougal property, install catch basin on Limerock Street by Knox Center.
OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Provided assistance to the Producer of Catatonk Blues, for a portion of the film being shot here in the City of Rockland.
 Met with Maine Eastern Railroad, Eimskip, and Maine Port Authority to explore opportunities for increased freight traffic to and from the Mid-Coast.
 Spoke before Tourism and Economic Development classes at USM and UM.
 Reviewed and finalized bid package for last of the City's CDBG facade program.
 Reviewed and finalized bid package for City's CFMF Thorndike project.
 Followed up with three existing companies exploring financing and other plans for expansion.

Story Sponsor

www.shootmainestudios.com