The Rockland Report October 7, 2013

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Met with Finance Director to discuss status of CIP plan.
 Along with the Community Development Director, attended first part of the Maine Technical Institute at the Farnsworth.
 Met with Public Works Director and Project Engineer on the PenBay Drainage Project.
 Along with the Public Works Director we met with representatives from Thomaston, Rockport and MDOT to discuss solutions for improvements to Old County Road.
 Staff met briefly with the owner of 6 Acadia Drive to listen to concerns with the pending drainage project.
 Met with Rick Knowlton of Maine Water, to discuss the status of Camden Street water project as well as to take a tour of the facilities. We also discussed ways to better communicate during the project planning phase and working ways to partner on construction projects. Maine Water has an impressive operation that is well maintained and operated.
 Continued to work on Public Art policies and opening dialogues with local artists.
 Staff put the final touches on the planning for the annual Safety Training Day at the Strand and Recreation Building.

OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Approved A/P Warrant.
 Met with City Manager on CIP Plan/ Debt Worksheet.
 Worked with Auditors – FY13 Audit.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Said good-bye to our last small ACL cruise ship for the summer.
 Prepared for the M/S Regatta - mowed, put up security signs, put out barricades, put up the chamber of commerce's tent, washed the docks and benches.
 Welcomed the M/S Regatta for her second of three visits this year.
 Handled a flurry of holding tank pump-outs as people readied their boats for the winter.
 Cleaned the summer equipment out of the dock shed.

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
The officers responded to 200 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 17 arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include bail violations, domestic assaults, OUIs, disorderly conduct, arrest warrants, assault, and disorderly conduct.
 Chief Boucher and Deputy Chief Tower conducted a “school safety and lock-down” presentation to the staff at Mid-Coast School of Technology.
 Deputy Chief Tower participated in a promotional process for Bath Police department this past week.
 Sgt. Camporiale attended the Knox County Triad Meeting this past week.
 Sgt. Camporiale is participating in the FBI Uniform Crime Report Access Integrity survey.
 Detectives are working with Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Department on an investigation within the city.
 Det. Sgt. Young assisted Knox County Sheriff’s Department with an internal investigation that led to charges being levied upon an individual.

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Worked on real estate transfers.
 Worked on entering history from card file.
 Worked on personal property for next year.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 The Code Office received a Site Plan Review Application for an addition to a small business located at 29 Farwell Drive.
 The Planning Board met 10/1/13 and found that further review was needed for the proposed Take-Out Food Stand at 249 Maverick Street. Also, the Board had a positive response to the Pre-Application Meeting Request for the proposed Lobster Eatery at 743 Main Street.
 There were three complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 6 Building permits
o 2 Driveway permits
o 2 Electrical permits
o 1 Plumbing 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 Department continued to work on employee evaluations.
 Annual state inspections of the apparatus were completed.
 The Department trained personnel from Maritime Energy on fire extinguisher use.
 The Fire Chief, with the timely assistance of Wanda Harvey, filed paperwork in support of reimbursement of funds from the 2012 Emergency Management Preparedness Grant (EMPG).
 Preparations were made by staff for the next three weeks of our annual fire prevention program for the local schools and youth groups.
 Preparations were made by staff in support of the provision of a healthy lunch to be served at the Recreation Center during Friday’s safety stand-down day.
 The Department trained on the confinement of fire with the pressurized water can.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 We’ve almost completed clearing out the former “Teen Scene” space; the impetus was the need for Camden Conference discussion series breakout room. However, we have had many requests for more tutoring space and for counselor/client space.
 The Adult Art class by Catinka Knoth is still well-attended, though the numbers are not quite as dramatic as during the height of the tourist season. The Children’s Drawing class continues each Tuesday afternoon.
 The second series of Family Place Libraries™ workshops continues this week, with former Friends’ Board Member Mary Gale assisting. Additional families have joined since the first workshop; as I was at the Circulation Desk when the workshop was over, I got to ask parents and kids how they enjoyed it, with overwhelmingly positive responses.
 Folks from Head Start hung a ”Gone Reading” sign on their door and brought a lovely group of children to the Library and entertained them with story books. It’s one of my favorite sights—seeing the gaggle of little ones clinging to their handhold on the long rope as they troop in.
 Not only did Patty King hold Wednesday Storytime and read tales of dance and movement, but Steve Seekins was back with Therapy dog, Mo, the gentle giant, to everyone’s delight.
 Jean Young spent Thursday on North Haven, as per our agreement with the Community School.
 Thursday evening Arts & Cultural series featured the start of a six-week series of film and discussion entitled Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness. U Rock student and Vice-president of the Honors program, Richard Fortuna led the discussion.
 Along with other City facilities, the Library was closed on Friday, so that all staff could participate in City-wide Safety Training Day.
 The Friends of Rockland Public Library are holding a raffle; only 200 tickets will be sold and the winner of which will receive a brand new iPad. The Friends plan to set up a table in the Library to sell tickets later in October—if they haven’t all been sold by word of mouth. The drawing will occur during the Tree Auction following the Holiday Inn and House Tour on November 30.
 Upcoming events of note: Teens and Tweens make a fun Sock Skeleton; Scary tales from noted storyteller Jean Armstrong. Check the website for details.
 Did you know the Library has Kindles, Nooks, and iPads to lend? Loaded with titles and some apps, you can try before you buy—or buy a raffle ticket to win one of your own.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Assisted with final preparation for safety day.
 Conducted monitoring well data collection.
 Followed up with contracted C&D testing requirements.
 Rented an excavator to break up clay stockpiles within the landfill and on the south end of the facility prior to winter freeze. Began to place clay in place as an air barrier to prevent fire.
 Cleaned swap shop.
 Mowed lawn and picked up litter.
 Working with Stultz Electric troubleshooting quarry 2 south pump control problems.
 Continue work on repairing recycling bins and replacing wheels.
 Reviewed the recommended changes sent in the Mid-coast Economic Development Solid Waste consolidation report.

OFFICE OF THE FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 Energy efficient bulbs finally were received and the electrician installed all the bulbs. The pier lighting has now been totally overhauled since the initial installation four years ago.
 Starting preparations for next year’s permit application process.
 Submitted user metered electric bills to the finance department.
 Herring closure areas are now open. The f/v Western Sea off loaded 870,000 lbs. of herring.
 The f/v Western Wave departed Sunday and has not returned to offload.
 Lobster price is around $3.35 a pound.
 Attended City employee’s Safety Training day.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The granite tables are in at the Ferry Terminal Park and they have set up nicely. The loam is in place and will be hydro-seeded on Friday. Farley & Sons have agreed to leave the irrigation system in place for the next week or two so that the grass can get a good root.
 The preparations for Safety Day here at the Recreation Building are in place and we are ready to go.
 The beach will be worked on this week and we should have it cleaned up and ready for winter this weekend.

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.
 Updated General Assistance Paperwork and client files.
 Continued preparations with many departments and held City Safety Day.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Watered flowers, completed trash pickups, and street sweeping.
 Prepping asphalt areas and paving various areas including sidewalks on Union Street, driveway apron on Lake Avenue, and several manhole locations.
 Completed hauling fill and grading work at old MacDougal school property. Entire disturbed area was then hydro-seeded including old playground.
 Acid washed and caulked new granite tables at Ferry Terminal Park.
 Two separate meetings with Gartley & Dorsky Engineers regarding Pen Bay Acres drainage work and Summer Street drain/sewer separation project.
 Worked on replacing outside lights at Public Works building, straightened bent flower pole, replaced some flags on Main Street.
 Assisted Transfer Station by hauling trash one day.
 Ditching work on Lake Avenue.
 Met with MDOT, Town of Thomaston, and Town of Rockport at Mid Coast Planning Office regarding Old County Road reconstruction/funding options.
 MDOT/Lanes Construction paving Old County Road with a maintenance mix outside of the compact zone from Route 1 Thomaston to Thompson Meadow Road and Route 1 Rockport to Lake View Terrace. Since Rocklands section is within the Urban Compact, MDOT will not be paving this section.
 Lanes completing hand work of asphalt aprons on Claremont and Limerock.
 Water Company work update: Glen Street completed, Camden Street work will be completed next week including paving, Hill Street to be completed next week), Kalers corner in progress; Rankin Street on west side of Broadway, pipe replacement may start next week.
 Mechanics worked on 2007 GMC Dump truck and routine maintenance of other vehicles and equipment.
 Next week plan to install catch basin on Limerock Street, complete ditching on Lake Avenue, ditching in the Industrial Park off Thomaston Street, and assist harbormaster (Public Landing) and Recreation director (Chickawaukie Lake) with float removal.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Completed revised proposed amendment to Fisher Engineering TIF Development Program based on input from Council.
 Met with owners of Tillson Avenue properties to discuss possible redevelopment or potential tenants.
 Identified potential new properties for Brownfield Program Phase I assessments.
 Coordinated City efforts and reviewed and assessed City and Chamber activities and roles during cruise ship visit for future recommendations.
 Oversaw final drawdown of Ferry Terminal Park CDBG funds.
 Prepared and finalized Letter of Intent for application to Small Harbor Investment Program and prepared draft Order for application to Small Harbor Planning Grant programs; to support planning for Snow Marine Park boat ramp and improvements to Public Pier grant applications.
 Reviewed progress of Harbor Trail developments and upcoming grant applications with Committee Chair.
 Met with property owners along Camden Street in preparation for presentation by Friends of Midcoast Maine to the Economic Development Advisory Committee (Camden Street Project).
 Participated in City Safety Day.