The Rockland Report January 17, 2014

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
 Held Department Head Meeting
 Attended Ceremony at Police Department – Congratulations to Officer Neal on his award for Bravery.
 Met with Community Development Director, John Holden, to discuss TIF expenditure plan that will be presented for acceptance in February.
 Met with John Root and Don Fowles on computer and software needs of the City.
 Fielded many complaints on Old County Road pot holes. Many phone calls and a couple of residents came in to see what could be done to fix the road.

OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant
 Worked with Auditors
 W2’s complete and mailed out
 Approved Accounts Payable Warrant

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Mid-winter, even with warmer weather is all office work. Mooring permit renewals are coming in. Most by mail, but quite a few in person, and it's a good chance to discuss and receive feedback from boaters in the harbor. Yachtsmen, fishermen and commercial operators all come in to renew, and it gives us a chance to hear their opinions.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 The Code Office received a Site Plan Review Application for the installation of a 28’ X 54’ pre-fab building on property located at 5 Farwell Drive. The current business on the property is a motorcycle and automobile driving instruction facility. The proposed building will be used as classroom space.
 We also received a Preliminary Plan Application for Subdivision Review from Liberty Hospitality of Maine, LLC to convert condominiums to timeshares at the Tradewinds Motor Inn at 2 Park Drive.
 A permit was submitted for a Change of Use with minor alterations to the building at 169 Camden Street (former Chinese Jade Restaurant). The building is proposed to be changed from a restaurant to a Children’s Play Center. The Code Office and Fire Dept. have done preliminary inspections of the building.
 License inspections were done with the Fire Dept. at Atlantic Baking Co., The Strand, Park Street Grille, Dunkin Donuts and the Thorndike Creamery.
 Dave Kalloch attended the Comprehensive Planning Commission Meeting on 1/16/14.
 There was one complaint filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 1 Building permit
o 4 Electrical permits
o 1 Floodplain permit
o 1 Plumbing permit
o 1 Sign permit

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 The following permits were issued this week.
o Four Lobster Vessels
o Two Lot Storage
 Attended Department Head meeting.
 Submitted FY-2015 budget to the Finance Director.
 Current Lobster price remains at $4.50 a pound.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Worked on 2014/2015 budget.
 Removed Q2N leachate pump. Diagnosed problem (a short in the power supply). Power washed pump screen. Replaced power supply and began reinstallation of leachate pump.
 Delivered two non-functional leachate pump wet ends to Preferred Pump in Gardner to have rebuilt.
 Completed installation of the air ride seat in 816 F compactor.
 Replaced the backup alarm, rear lights and the air compressor governor on the Western Star Tractor.
 Attended council meeting to answer questions regarding LD 1483.
 Repaired water line on the steam cleaner.
 Began compiling data for Annual Report.
 Municipal Review Committee (MRC) provided a resolve to be considered by current members support planning efforts post 2018. The resolve should be included in this week’s information.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Met with business to review microloan application, follow up on same. Coordinating loan committee meeting for review of application.
 Compiled and submitted grant to National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” Program to support development of a Community & Arts Development Strategy (also known as a Cultural Plan).
 Met with five existing businesses to discuss their status, projects, and to follow up on previous meetings. This includes advising on submission of Pine Tree Zone applications as well as discussing training needs. In one case, worked out details of “Welcome to Rockland” event for Holistic Hygiene at 2:00 PM on January 23.
 Met with Board Members of Rockland Main Street, Inc. to coordinate activities and plans as they continue in their transition.
 Began to coordinate and organize for Thorndike Parking Lot redevelopment project, including working with City Attorney on final contract with Landmark Surveyors & Engineers and preparing schedule and outreach for input.
 Met with Chairs of Harbor Trail Committee and REDAC to discuss future Committee meetings and agenda items.
 Began to organize follow up with City Staff on Camden Street Project.
 Continued evaluation and drafting of TIF Program plans in coordination with Acting City Manager, CIP, and budgeting for FY2015.

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
 The officers responded to 157 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to nine motor vehicle crashes. Twenty (20) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made 12 arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include bail violations, OUI, Drug violations, Theft, Sex offense and traffic offenses.  Officer Joel Neal was awarded the Rockland Police Department Medal of Bravery on Wednesday for an incident that took place on August 31, 2013. Officer Neal was recognized for his service during a critical response to a man threatening to harm himself. Officers Scott Redmun, Lloyd Daniels, Jacob Shirey and Sgt. Matt Lindahl were recognized for their professional performance in deescalating this tense situation. Police officers display meritorious acts each and every day in their duty to protect the citizens of our country. Today, more than ever before, we are our community’s first line of defense and it is a fitting tribute to honor these acts.  The Rockland Police Department Scholarship Fund will be presenting the Oceanside Sports Boosters with a check for $600.00 during half-time of a home varsity basketball game. This check is in support of replacing existing bleachers inside the gym. While this donation is not specifically part of the scholarship funds primary focus, members of the fund voted overwhelmingly to use extra money in the fund to support this project. The decision was based on the fact that the money is still being used to support students at Oceanside High School.
 Officers assisted Oceanside East High School in a lockdown drill conducted at the school this past week.
 Officers have been assisting Probation and Parole with probationer checks within the City and taking necessary action when applicable.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 The Adult Art class by Catinka Knoth welcomed students, as did the Children’s Drawing class which continues each Tuesday afternoon.
 I attended the Manager’s Meeting, met with staff, and attended a meeting of the Friends’ Board.
 Upon learning that the Pen Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Gala event was scheduled the same date and time as the Library’s planned Open House—we did not want to compete, and we want those attending to attend the Library’s event, too--, we decided to change the date to February 14. After all, the theme is Love your Library; your Library loves you! We hope that even those with Valentine’s Day plans will join us before going out to dinner, and those
without will have dinner at the Library, along with our other scheduled events for the occasion.
 Wednesday Storytime was crowded again this week; in addition to Miss Jean reading; therapy dog Mo, with his handler Steve Seekins, were also present.
 The Arts...for Kids & their Families at the Rockland Public Library continued with the second session of Introduction to Musicality, with Tom Ulichny, the director of the Midcoast School of Musicality.
 The Thursday evening Arts & Cultural Events featured a Camden Conference Community Event—with a participatory discussion -- Climate Change and War—Inevitable?
 Saturday was Dinosaur Day; you may have seen our giant dino (and if you get here soon, she may still be prowling the building)...Patty held Roar! Storytime; Chewonki presented Tales and Scales with live reptiles; there was a scavenger hunt, fossil dig, fossil museum, face painting, activity stations, and more.
 The second session of Mother Goose rhymes and Fairy Tales, part of The Arts...for Kids & their Families at the Rockland Public Library was again led by local children’s author and illustrator, Debbie Atwell, on Sunday.
 Upcoming events of note—Last Time I Saw Paris, starring a lovely Elizabeth Taylor (part of the new twice monthly film series for adults) and the Open House, which was changed to February 14—in addition to food, fun, and information, they’ll be music, and some terrific door prizes, but you need a current Library card to be entered for the prize drawing, so update yours right away!
 Did you know?—the Rockland Public Library hosts AARP Tax Aide, where trained and certified (by the IRS) volunteers will help prepare 2013 income tax returns for those with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older, free of charge.

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 Fire Chief attended the Annual Meeting of the Knox County Mutual Aid Association.
 The Fire Chief attended the monthly Local Directors’ meeting at Knox County Emergency Management where the major topic of discussion was the recent ice storm.
 The Department conducted several Life Safety Code inspections.
 The Department conducted its annual ice rescue training refresher.
 C-shift trained on attic fires.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Added 1 ½” stone and graded to help stabilize Thompson Meadow Road from muddy conditions.
 Two city wide sanding call-ins; Saturday 1/11/14 and Wednesday 1/15/14.
 Cold patching pot holes all week which has been a major battle because of the warm and rainy weather. One 2 man crew on 1/13, and 1/17 (Monday and Friday) and two 2 man crews on 1/14, 1/15, and 1/16 (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
 Trash pickup from buildings and receptacles for two days and roadside trash for two and a half days.
 Sign and mailbox repair work for two days including resetting of some granite benches on Main Street that were disturbed during snow removal operations and repair of one granite post.
 Cut and removed two large city trees that were in poor condition as determined by Tree Warden and City arborist. One was located at Butler Square Park on Broadway and one at the Recreation playground on Limerock Street at the intersection of White Street. The stump at Butler Square was removed but the stump at the playground will have to be ground down at a future date because of the proximity to the fence.
 Attended meeting with Gartley & Dorsky at City Hall regarding Winter Street and immediate area drainage for the preliminary planning for the proposed Center for Maine Contemporary Art.
 Two crews checking catch basins, brooks, and ditches to prevent flooding during rain on Tuesday.
 Mechanics repaired front wing boxes on two trucks, worked on grader hydraulic leak on front end, replaced cutting edges on one wing, general servicing of three trucks, repaired sander chain on one ton truck hopper.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Located the sewer line on Cedar Street for CMP.
 Responded to a flooded basement and found the homeowners sump pump failed.
 Dye tested the storm drains in the Winter Street and Park Drive area to determine direction of flow, in support of the new building planned for Winter Street.
 Continued repair/replacement of the primary pump room valves.
 Replaced piping on the sodium bisulfite storage tanks.
 EII, Inc. completed the Park Street and Glenwood Avenue pump station upgrades.
 Carried out some on line safety training.

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.
 Have two open abatement requests.

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.
 Made referrals to the Social Security Eligibility Advocate.
 Handled a Hardship Abatement Request.