The Rockland Report December 20, 2013

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Processing Real Estate Transfers, updating parcel cards, sales book, property splits.
 Processing Personal Property accounts, updating ownership, owned items, depreciation, State BETR’S 801 returns, BETE exemptions.
 Processing building permits, reviewing, updating property cards and assessments.
 Analyzing qualified sales of all properties and neighborhoods for a fair and equitable assessment.
 Completing State forms and returning for processing.
 Listening and reviewing properties at the owner’s request.
 Updating Tax Maps and posting to the web site.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Attended the Harbor Commission meeting on Tuesday evening.
 Hosted a board of directors meeting for the Maine Harbormaster’s Association.
 Worked on printing out the mooring permit applications for next year. I’ll spend the next two weeks sorting, stuffing and mailing them out.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 The Planning Board met 12/17 to review a proposal for the new Center for Maine Contemporary Art building on Winter Street. The board also reviewed and approved the application for a 576 sq. ft. fabric structure at 127 Main Street.
 Work has begun on the installation of cellular equipment on the Island Institute building at 386 Main Street.
 Continued discussions with the potential developer of a “Pocket Housing” project on Cedar Street.
 There were three complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 3 Building permits
o 4 Electrical permits
o 3 Plumbing permits
o 1 Sign permit
o 1 Street/Sidewalk Encumbrance permit
o 2 Street Excavation permits

OFFICE OF THE FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 No permits were issued this week.
 Still waiting on Prock Marine to conduct a maintenance survey of the piles, chocks, and whalers around the pier. Cost estimate for repairs to follow.
 Shoveling snow all week at public access areas.
 Current Lobster price is still $3.80 a pound.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Worked on 2014/2015 budget.
 Completed structural fitting of MSW compactor number 1 and began paint
preparation and tenting.
 Conducted preventative maintenance on the 816F Compactor.
 Continued chipping of brush and pallet pile.
 Completed monthly waste water sampling.
 Submitted waste water analytical testing pumping records to Waste Water
Treatment Plant.
 Completed monitoring well readings.
 Plowed and shoveled snow.
 Began installation of one of the air ride seats in the D5M.
 Participated in MRRA Government Affairs meeting discussing the proposed new
legislation; LD 1483, a $14 per ton tax on all landfill waste to be used to subsidize
the higher costs of incinerating waste.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Attended and staffed REDAC meeting and hosted a public information meeting
regarding the City’s Brownfield Program.
 Met with existing business regarding interest in Regional Microloan financing.
 Met with new business still finalizing business plans and opening regarding
financing options.
 Coordinated committee review and interview of architect and engineers for
services on the Thorndike Parking lot project.
 Reviewed projects, grants and current work of Rockland Main Street Inc. with
Lorain Francis to coordinate with her departure and transition.
 Responded and spoke with two investors interested in redevelopment of property
or new project in City.
 Attended Midcoast Economic Development District strategic planning meeting.
 Continued to reach out to arts community to develop potential application for
funding a Community and Arts Development Strategy.

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
The officers responded to 197 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to
seven motor vehicle crashes. Twenty five (25) traffic stops and traffic violations were
conducted. The officers made nine arrests of individuals for various offenses, to
include bail violations, OUI, Theft. Disorderly Bail Violations, Drug violations and arrest
warrants.
 Attended the Board of Director’s Meeting of Sexual Assault Support Services of
Mid Coast Maine in Wiscasset this week.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Big thanks to the Public Works staff for getting things cleared.
 The Adult Art class by Catinka Knoth welcomed students, as did the Children’s
Drawing class which continues each Tuesday afternoon.
 Please continue to bring items for the food drive any time during open hours.
 Wednesday Storytime was filled with “Little Mouse” books, including The Christmas
Mouse, followed by some acting and role playing.
 I worked on the preliminary budget request for FY 15.
 The last of a series of six films and discussion entitled Philosophy: A Guide to
Happiness was held, with the final philosopher, Nietzsche’s views on hardship, the
overcoming of which, is how the only worthwhile accomplishments are achieved.
 Upcoming events of note—a new series entitled “The Arts...for Kids & their Families
at the Rockland Public Library,” will be starting in January, beginning with music,
film, and drama.
 Did you know?—the Rockland Public Library is planning an Open House/Valentine
to the Community on February 12. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more
details.

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 provided confined space stand-by coverage for FMC.
 The Fire Chief reviewed a site plan for FMC.
 The City received notification that it has once again been awarded an
Emergency Management Performance Grant. This year the amount of the grant is
a minimum of $5,855. We will be seeking council acceptance in January.
 The Department conducted one Life Safety Code inspection.
 The Department trained on Building Construction.
 The Department shoveled all of the public fire hydrants after Sunday’s storm and
again after Tuesday night’s little surprise.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 1st & 2nd grade as well as 3rd & 4th grade basketball sign-ups started this week.
 We removed a large amount of snow from around the building and walkways this
week.
 New mirrors and ballet bars have been ordered for the new space and should be
here the beginning of next week. They will be installed over the holiday break.
 The repair to the parking lot appears that it will hold up for the winter.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 12 inch snow storm on Sunday the 15th and a 16 inch snow storm from Tuesday
p.m. through Wednesday a.m. Plowing and treating roadways with salt/sand and
removing snow from sidewalks. Four nights of hauling snow from city
streets/sidewalks primarily in the downtown area. Using both hired triaxle dump
trucks and city trucks as available. Opening up as many catch basins as possible in preparation of Friday through Sunday forecasted rain showers.
 Loader mounted backup 1992 Blanchette snow blower is down with potential motor bearing issues.
 Worked on numerous equipment/vehicle breakdowns throughout the week including both sidewalk snow blowers, loader mounted 2005 Tenco snow blower, 2005 GMC ¾ ton pickup power steering issue, 2001 GMC dump truck wheel hub and brakes, numerous hydraulic hose and plow related repairs.
 Attended City Council meeting with Gartley & Dorsky Engineers presenting salt/sand shed plans. Also discussed snow related operations.
 Repaired some signs and mailboxes damaged from plowing operations.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 A significant amount of time was devoted to snow removal both at the plant/pump stations, and as backup for Public Works.
 We continued to work on collection system software and review of historical inspection data.
 We repaired a Primary Pump Room valve this week.
 We started annual testing of industrial user wastewater per pretreatment program requirements.