The Rockland Report Feb 7, 2014

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Processed a bunch more mooring permits
 Continued discussions with potential engineers for the Snow Park boat launch.
 Met with a representative of Lyman-Morse boat builders to talk about plans for this coming summer's "Penobscot Bay Rendezvous."
 Met with a few members of the Rockland Yacht Club to continue talking about their launch service and permitting rental moorings for them.  

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 No permits were issued this week.
 Attended City Council’s agenda setting meeting.
 Attended City Manager’s Department Head Meeting.
 Organized pallets that were all over the pier into neat piles along electrical service line that runs the length of the pier. This also will help with spring cleanup.
 Current Lobster price remains at $5.40 a pound.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 I dropped off a few panels to the Rockland Middle School for the after school art program. They are going to paint murals for decoration in the game room.
 I met with Coastal Copper this week and they are preparing a written plan for the replacement of the roof drains on the South East corner of the building.
 The finals are approaching for the Mid-Coast Basketball League. The games will be here at the Recreation Center on Wednesday February 12th. The girls’ game is at 5:30 and the boys’ game is at 7:00. Should be a fun night.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Prepared for and attended joint meeting of Comprehensive Planning Committee and EDAC, re: Camden Street Vision Project follow up.
 Met with prospective new business venture and coordinated follow up and meeting again with potential partner and landlord.
 Met with new business venture to visit their property and plan for launch.
 Assisted existing company to clarify and get answers to questions regarding Pine Tree Zone benefits.
 Follow up with two anticipated Regional Microloan applicants regarding their application.
 Reviewed and reread previous City Plans for Downtown, Infrastructure, Camden Street.
 Completed additional submissions to NEA for Our Town Grant.
 Reviewed potential grant on behalf of Historical Society and Midcoast Area Veterans Memorial.
 Reviewed and revised draft plans for CDBG for Downtown.
 Met with developer of major new proposed project to discuss plans and community development.
 Met with property owners within Thorndike Block regarding parking lot improvement plans; met as well with engineer and architect of Thorndike property to review coordination of project.
 Engaged and followed up with consultant advising on funding opportunity for improvements to Fish Pier; coordinated with Fish Pier Director.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 I attended the Agenda Setting Meeting of City Council, and the Manager’s meeting.
 The Adult Art class by Catinka Knoth welcomed students, as did the Children’s Drawing class which continues each Tuesday afternoon.
 We’ve been gearing up for the Open House, and have had several meetings and much action around this. Posters are going up around town, and a lovely big sign, and small invitations are at City Hall, too.  Due to the snowstorm and school closings, Naomi Howe accompanied Steve Seekins, with two lovely therapy dogs for Storytime; due to the snowstorm, however—no kids showed up.
 The Arts...for Kids & their Families at the Rockland Public Library continued with sessions of Introduction to Musicality Djembe drums on Thursday; and Making Pop- up Valentines with Susan Beebe in the morning, and classic matinee, Lassie Come Home, led by Erika Pfander on Saturday afternoon.
 The Thursday evening Arts & Cultural Events featured another Camden Conference Community Event—Alder Stone Fuller will speak on Understanding and Preparing for Abrupt Climate Change.
 I met with Audrey Lovering who brought me up to date on plans for the Many Flags project.
 I met with the owners of Brio Promotions, Jeff and Marli Thibodeau, to discuss some internal signage for the Library.
 Wooden Spoon Crafts for Teens and Tweens were held in the Teen zone on Sunday.
 Upcoming events of note—a family concert with Old Town Road Musical Duo, and—the last REMINDER (tell all your friends and relations) the Open House, which was changed to February 14—in addition to food, fun, and information, there’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 Library’s telescope has been repaired and is back in circulation, thanks again to Cornerstones of Science.

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 City Council’s February Agenda Setting Meeting.
 The Fire Chief attended the City Department Head Meeting.
 It was C-shift’s turn to shovel the City’s fire hydrants after Tuesday’s storm.
 The Department provided confined space rescue coverage for FMC.
 The Fire Chief continued to develop the budget for FY 2015.
 A-shift conducted training on the hydrant assist valve.  

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 Picked up roadside trash one day and city receptacles and buildings two days.
 Cold patched pot holes - one crew for two days.
 One call-in for city wide sanding on Monday morning.
 Plowed city streets and parking lots all day Wednesday into Thursday morning for snow storm of approx. 8” snowfall.  Also, snow blowing sidewalks with both machines all day Thursday.
 Hauling stockpiled snow from many downtown parking lots on Friday with Public Works trucks and equipment.
  Sign and mailbox maintenance for one day.
  Attended to various ice related build up problems in ditches, culverts, and roadways.
  Picked up 2011 International dump truck from Portland North in preparation of snow storm but had to return it because of smoke in the cab issue.

 OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
  Responded to a sewer backup on Laurel Street.  We found the homeowner’s lateral was backing up.
  We provided support to PW for plowing this week.
 Worked on plans to address collection system, storm water and treatment plant issues.
 Started work on installing a tempering water system for an emergency shower.
 Continued to transfer files into the GIS program.
  Completed two Dig Safe sewer line locatings for the water company for broken water mains.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
  Plowed snow; shoveled & cleaned scale.
  Installed the re-manned angle hydraulic on the D5M bulldozer.
  Glued examples of what type of returnable bottles belong in specific containers.   Began replacing the rubber bumpers on the recycle building loading dock.
  Worked on Annual Report.      

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
  John and Dave both attended the City Council Agenda Setting Meeting 2/3/14.  John presented an update of the newly released preliminary Floodplain Mapping to the Council.
  The Code Office received a Pre-Application Meeting Request from Rockland Harbor Park, LLC proposing the construction of a new 65 room hotel on property they own at 12 Water Street.  The Planning Board will meet 2/11/14 to review these plans.
 CMCA will be returning to the next Planning Board Meeting on 2/11/14 for continued review of their proposal for a new building at 21 Winter Street.
  Dave attended the joint REDAC and Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting 2/6/14.
  License inspections were done with the Fire Dept. at the China Coast and Roselyn Thai Restaurants.
 There were no complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week: o 3 Building permits o 2 Electrical permits o 1 Plumbing permit o 1 Sign permit