The Rockland Report July 11, 2014

OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR/ACTING CITY MANAGER
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Attended Council’s Agenda Setting Meeting.
 Preparing for Year End – audit work.
 Inspected Union Street Sidewalks, the West side of Street will be started next week.
 Closed Snow Marine Park due to high e coli counts. Will reopen once lab results are acceptable.
 Met with citizens on transfer station fees – staff will be working on educational materials to pass out explaining new fee structure.

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 No permits were issued this week.
 Met with Prock Marine and completed a survey of the pilings, chocks, and ladder around the pier that need to be replaced.
 The f/v Western Sea has offloaded 450,000 pounds of herring this week.
 The f/v Western Wave has offloaded 360,000 pounds of herring this week.
 The price per pound for old shell lobsters is $5.45.

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 LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 We can tell it’s summer, for sure, with a busy, busy, busy week. At one point on Tuesday, every space in the Reading Room was taken, and the
“joint was jumpin’!”
 Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class worked on the theme of “Lupine at Mosquito Harbor..." and the Children’s drawing class theme was “Favorite Maine Dogs!”
 Several members of the Friends’ Board - Jeanie Schaden, Marilyn Trask, and Nancy Eugley, and a spouse (Jim Schaden) responded to my request for help in removing the ivy covering parts of the original section of the building. While it
looked glorious, it is, of course, bad for the mortar, and I am very grateful for their hard work. Members of Public Works staff were here serendipitously, and whisked away the bags and bags of pulled ivy.
 Patty King installed a new exhibit in the cases, the art work of Alton Cobb, Jr.
 I attended the Agenda Setting meeting of the City Council.
 The free summer lunch program continues, and we are now seeing regular participants.
 Pretty soon, Judith Anderson will no longer be a guest reader, but a regular, as Judith presented Wednesday Storytime again this week. Dr. Anderson read several books to a full house, including classic poetry, then ended with The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Jean Young supplied the felt board characters and after reading, the children could retell the story with the felt characters. At the craft table, children colored and cut out the “gruff” characters, drew a bridge, and glued the goats around the bridge. Steve Seekins, brought Maggie, the lovely lurcher as this week’s therapy dog.
 Former Friends’ Board Member Eileen Spectre presented Storytime at the Farmers’ Market; once again, special thanks to Friends’ Board member (and adjunct) Jeanie, and Jim Schaden for doing the set-up and take-down this year!
 An unplanned, but very welcome event was a visit from Herring Gut, which asked if they could visit with an inter-tidal tank of creatures. There were small crabs, hermit crabs, a teeny lobster, and a butterfish, among the briny visitors.
 One of the Summer Reading Program’s “main events’ was the presentation of Fizz, Boom, Pop!, with didgeridoo tubes that produce flames, foaming flasks, sizzling test tubes, colorful oozing soap suds, mysterious oscillating colors, gases that do the mamba, exothermic reactions that demonstrate the power of catalysts, gaseous genies escaping from bottles, combustible gases that make streamers fly, and a real-life Mad Scientist who loves to bust molecules. Martin Molecule was a huge hit!
 Erika Pfander presented Along Came Jones, the first of two planned Gary Cooper westerns, as the Thursday evening Arts & Cultural Event.
 On Friday, Children’s Librarian, Jean Young opened another Cornerstones of Science trunk, this one on paint science, an introduction to archaeological science through a look at prehistoric cave dwellers and the earliest forms of painting.
 And finally, on Saturday, the Friends’ Our Neighbors’ Gardens Tour, and a very special Storytime with Hope Angier, author of Harmony: Land of Four Seasons, wherein a little girl experiences wonder, magic and adventure while on a journey through the mystical Land of the Four Seasons.
 Ongoing—Summer Reading Program, with something for all ages. Check the Library’s website, or visit us in person for more information.
 Upcoming: Death Café: come join the conversation about death, dying and end-of-life plans—talking about death won’t kill you! And Wind Over Wings with live birds of prey.

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
In addition to responding to the general response to fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred:
 Friday morning RFD sent an engine and crew to assist with a residential structure fire in West Rockport on Old Rockland Street. The engine and five personnel were tied up for about one hour. This fire again showed the value of shutting doors as that act alone likely saved the top floor of the home from severe damage.
 Maine EMS conducted their annual inspection of our ambulances and found no deficiencies.
 I attended the City Council Agenda Setting Meeting Monday evening where a few items of FD interest were discussed. Of note are the issues regarding “Air B&B” and unlicensed rooming and lodging occupancies and outdoor burning in fire pits.
 On Tuesday our personnel hosted another cardiac monitor/defibrillator demo and then put the demo unit in service for a two week trial.
 FF Cole gave a brief fire safety presentation for the UPS staff on Tuesday morning.
 On Tuesday afternoon working in concert with the Code Office, I notified the owner of a Main Street building about an illegal residential unit being offered on “Air B&B” in a building not classified or protected for overnight accommodations. We were assured this condition would be eliminated immediately.
 On Wednesday senior RFD staff, along with Chief Boucher, the Harbormaster and Mayor Pritchett participated in the Lobster Festival Tabletop Exercise. This exercise was designed to test our MLF Emergency Plan and to bring other stakeholders into the planning process to ensure the safest event possible. About 45 people attended representing numerous entities and many good ideas were brought to light to help our plan evolve. This year the USCG Cutter Eagle’s docking and tours appear to have the potential for a second smaller event not quite directly connected to the MLF, but close enough that sharing resources and information is necessary and good practice.
 Both Engine 1 and Engine 2 went to Reliance Equipment in Vassleboro for their annual pump test and service. Squad 3 will be serviced there on Friday.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
The officers responded to 281 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to seven motor vehicle crashes. Fifty (50) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made 16 arrests of individuals for various offenses, to include Bail violations, Domestic assault offenses, Assault, Theft Offenses, Probation violations, and OUI.
 We are keeping busy with the planning and implementation of public safety concerning the North Atlantic Blues Festival this weekend.
 I attended the Maine Lobster Festival Table Top Exercise at Knox County EMA office on Thursday night.
 I met with members of the Coast Guard concerning the safety and security plans for the Coast Guard Ship Eagle’s visit to Rockland during the dates of August 1-3.
 Officers have been working with State Probation and Parole concerning compliance checks with probationers living in Rockland.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Repaired door jam and installed bolt lock, secured safe in gate house due to another round of break-ins at the facility. Ordered security cameras for facility.
 Had to replace a trailer tire in Belfast due to a blow-out hauling waste to PERC.
 Loaded/sent out for recycling 26 bales of cardboard.
 Had New England Truck tire come in to look at our worn out tractor trailer tires to see if we can get money for the casings to go toward new tires needed for the tractor trailer.
 Worked on the statement of work for the gas collection system and reviewed and signed the task order with Woodard and Curran to finalize the detail drawings of the gas collection system.
 Working with Mark King of MEDEP on assisting the school with a proposed food waste composting project.
 Met with Public Works to go over the snow dump operation.
 Placed landfill cover material and clay berm material.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE DIRECTOR
 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 Disability Advocacy Program.
 Filed monthly reports with Department of Health & Human Services.
 Filed Interim Assistance forms with the State and Social Security Administration.
 Collaborated with Code Enforcement Office to help some City residents.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 Inspected and approved a sewer connection at 57 Suffolk Street for McMann Builders.
 Worked three days cleaning and inspecting the sewer main on Mechanic Street.
 Investigated a call from 38 Summer Street about a sewer backup during the weekend storm.
 Met with Rhino services to discuss a new sewer connection to 61 Suffolk Street.
 Collected more samples from the 36” culvert from Ingraham’s Lane to Snow Marine Park for testing.
 Answered a Dig-Safe call @ 58 Warren Street for Maine Water.
 Completed valve replacement work on the primary flow control tank, and on the belt filter press and gravity belt thickener drain lines.
 Installed a conductivity meter on the primary influent wastewater to provide data for the joint PCF/FMC study.
 Changed out a valve in the Primary Pump Room.
 No. 2 Primary Clarifier was taken offline for cleaning and to allow the valve installation in the Primary Pump Room.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 City trash receptacle pickup three days and city buildings two days.
 Walked Main Street with Gordon Page reviewing different issues and ordered five bike racks from Side Country Sports for placement in various areas along the harbor trail.
 Eliminated catch basin on Otis Street that was connected to sewer.
 Replaced sewer manhole in sidewalk area of Broadway near Holmes Street.
 Sign maintenance for four days.
 Painting streets for 3½ extended nights. Half night clearing off and cleaning catch basin grates. Will be working during day time next week.
 Cold patching for two days.
 Sweeping streets/parking lots with Tymco sweeper for three days. Also, sweeping downtown area after Club Crawl/Blues Festival over weekend.
 Working on several sink holes and washouts in various areas including the Public Landing, Snow Marine Park, Winter Street parking lot, and Thomaston Street.
 Picked up waste oil from Transfer Station tank.
 New decorative street light pole installed by CMP in front of barber shop on South Main Street.
 Added two more trash cans on downtown Main Street area and replaced several flags.
 Set out barricades, cones, and signs in various areas for PD to close off streets for Club Crawl Event.
 East side of Union Street sidewalk completed between Museum Street and Oak Street. Planning to replace concrete walkway on west side between Masonic Street and Grace Street next week. Farley & Sons is the contractor.
 Three employees called in on 7/5 for flooding and tree limb issues due to heavy rain (3 ½“ reported) and strong winds from hurricane Arthur.
 Wheeler dump truck including plow, wing, and sander bids opened and we are currently reviewing.
 Met with Transfer Station director along with PW operator to review potential future snow dump site at Transfer Station facility.
 Mechanics worked on broken axle on trailer, replaced wheel bearing and transmission issue with 2007 pickup, and 2008 Tymco street sweeper gutter broom bracket replaced. 2007 GMC towed to O’Connors in Augusta for transmission and power steering problems.
 Met with Water Co. on Camden Street to review asphalt trenches that were paved last year that need to be repaired.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John Root attended the City Council Agenda Setting Meeting 7/7/14.
 The Code Office received a Site Plan Review Application for Change of Use of 18 Talbot Ave. The proposal is to change the building from a Single Family Dwelling to Office Space.
 There were seven complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 2 Building permits
o 2 Electrical permits

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Visited and got update regarding plans and marketing of the Lincoln Street Center, follow up on same.
 Met and followed up on expansion needs of an existing business, assisted with drafting of a Pine Tree Zone letter for expansion of an existing company.
 Visited and met with new and existing businesses and existing galleries in downtown.
 Discussed and drafted plans for Leadership Forum on Culture and Art and Community Listening Sessions.
 Met and got update on development of Main Street Markets.
 Assisted and facilitated delivery of WiFi on behalf of Maine Boats, Homes, Harbor Show.
 Met and reviewed near final designs and costs for Thorndike Parking Lot improvements.
 Reviewed and finalized inventory for installation of Harbor Trail signs.
 Planned, facilitated, and attended meeting to discuss development and encouragement of IT and creative business cluster in Midcoast Region.
 Continued drafting of Signage Plan.
 Met with Historical Society and Midcoast Area Veterans Memorial to begin design plans for walkway between MAVM and 4th Maine Memorial Monument.
 Collected additional research and drafted follow up recommendations on changes to TIF Policy.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The Park Ranger has been cleaning and pruning trees this week at Johnson Memorial Park. Looks good!
 Snow Marine Park has been cleaned and lime spread over the entire park, and it was posted.
 The Summer Day Camp is going well and the kids are having fun. We are within 1-2 kids of being full.
 I have dug up the water connection in Buoy Park and we are going to add a 1” pipe to the water supply to see if we can increase it.
 The stage, parks and sidewalks have been cleaned up and we are ready for the Blues Festival.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Finally got our last three rental moorings inspected and ready for the summer, there's been a steady flow of renters this week, and it should only increase as we hit the heart of the summer.
 Summer hectic has started, boats coming and going, visitors and phone calls. The warm weather brings everyone out. We are ready for the Blues Festival, the boats have started coming in for the weekend.
 Predictions of storm weather this early in the year also gets everyone excited, but Arthur was far enough out to sea that it was windy and mercifully from the North. It made for a gusty but not too rough night.
 We had fun with the annual Great Schooner Race put on by the Maine Windjammer Association. Even with the tail end of Hurricane Arthur, we hosted them at the Public Landing on Friday night and it was quite the spectacle.
 Attended an emergency practice “table top exercise” for the Lobster Festival and the City's response plan. As always, the Rockland Fire and Police Departments were outstanding in their planning and leadership roles.
 It's looking more and more likely that the Pearl Mist will visit Rockland this fall on her inaugural summer of cruises. She's the bigger sister of the Independence that already docks here, she carries 210 passengers, and she will need to anchor out and ferry passengers in to the Public Landing.
 And something I've never seen in Rockland Harbor before, an ocean sunfish. They are rare in Penobscot Bay, and I've never heard of a sighting in Rockland, but I saw it on Thursday afternoon halfway out to the breakwater. They are hard to mistake for anything else. Neato.