The Rockland Report August 29, 2014

OFFICE OF THE ACTING CITY MANAGER/FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Preparing for Year End – audit work.
 Reviewed Mechanic Street sewer issue with WWTF Director – found another
property direct discharge to harbor.
 Attended FY15 Work Plan meeting with Council.
 Monthly Main Street walk about with Rockland Main Street Director Gordon Page
and Mayor Pritchett.
 Met/spoke with Citizens on the following concerns:
o Lindsey Brook
o Outdoor Fire Pits

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Tax bills have been delivered to property owners. The new rate is $20.16
per thousand of assessed value. An error was found on the bills.
Contacted all local papers (Courier Gazette, Freepress, Penbay Pilot and
Bangor Daily News) to publish article about the error.
 Processed Real Estate Transfers, updating parcel cards, sales book,
property splits.
 Processed Personal Property accounts, updating ownership, owned items,
depreciation, State BETR’S 801 returns, BETE exemptions.
 Processed building permits, reviewing, updating property cards and
assessments.
 Making appointments to review properties at the property owner’s
request.
 Updating Tax Maps and posting to the web site.

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 The following permits were issued this week.
o Three lobster vessels
 The f/v western sea has offloaded 800,000 pounds of herring.
 The f/v western wave has offloaded 600,000 pounds of herring.
 The price per pound for new shell lobster is $3.35.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 A busy week with just more of the same. Lots of activity in the Parks and at the
Public Landing. Busy with boats at the dock during the day as they go ashore to
go shopping, and most of our moorings rented at night for boats staying in town.
 Almost everyone that comes by boat winds up staying longer in Rockland than
they planned. An extra day at the docks, a few extra days on a mooring.
Rockland is much more than they planned on when they first put us on their
itinerary.
 The Farnsworth's open air cat video showing was well attended and a big hit. Yet
another good use of our public parks.
 We had an unscheduled visit by one of our small ACL cruise boats over the
weekend that made for a bit of confusion, but everything appears to have
worked out well, and we get to make a little more for dockage.
 Rebuilding the trailer for the harbormaster's boat, just some odds and ends so we'll
be ready when we go to take the boat out for the fall.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Officially on vacation through September 5, we are already feeling the absence
of Linda Barnes.
 A new part-time/on call/substitute library assistant, Diane DuBois is being trained
this week in a myriad of Library duties.
 Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class worked on “Lobster boat Heads Home by
Marshall Point " and the Children’s drawing class theme was “Let's draw a Maine
Country Fair.”
 Jean Young reports that the Children’s Room had a “guy” Storytime with Judith
Andersen, guest reader again and the little guys. They were very busy playing so
Miss Judith went to them and read favorite boy stories such as If Waffles Were Like
Boys by Charise Mericle Harper, one of our newer books. Other books read were
Yellow Is My Color Star by Judy Horacek; Biblioburro, A True Story from Colombia
by Jeanette Winter; and of course, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. After the
readings, Jean brought out a new plaything, a fort made of plastic where they
could “hide from the pirates…”
 This was the final week of Storytime at the Farmers’ Market, with Friends’ Board
member Marilyn Trask presenting, and Brian and Marilyn Trask setting up. I am
exceedingly grateful to all who helped with making this program a wonderful
success again this year.
 This Thursday evening’s Arts & Cultural Events program was a film presented by
Erika Pfander, To Be or Not to Be--Jack Benny and Carol Lombard portray Maria
and Josefa Tura, Polish stage stars, who pit the talents of their acting troupe
against the Gestapo in the early stages of the Second World War.
 The Library closes for Labor Day on both Sunday and Monday.
 Upcoming Event: Folk Duo-- Dusty and Joanna, with Ray Montana.
 *****Mentioned before, but I urge you to check out Lynda.com, from the Library’s
website . It truly is a phenomenal resource which helps “anyone learn software,
design, and business skills to achieve their personal and professional goals. The site
offers over 2,500 video courses covering technical skills, creative techniques,
business strategies, and more.”
 Down to the wire--read the Maine Readers’ Choice Award Finalists now, to vote in
September: Benediction by Kent Haruf; The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt; The Golem
and the Jinni by Helene Weck; and TransAtlantic by Colum McCann. More
information can be found here.

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:
 On Friday I toured the new CNG receiving area and system at FMC. FMC Officials
and I discussed potential issues and the engineered safety systems built in to
address any emergencies. As has been our previous experience FMC has gone
above and beyond to ensure the safety of the system and in the end will result in
a system with less hazards than the one it replaces. We will be working with FMC
and XNG (the gas supplier) to ensure our personnel and local emergency
responders are aware of the hazards and safety systems that go along with CNG
being transported to the plant.
 On Saturday C-Shift responded to a bi-plane “crash” as part of the Regional
Airport Response plan. Fortunately EMS and fire resources were not needed upon
arrival.
 On Monday, Paramedic Carrie Adams and I attended the Knox County Regional
Communications Executive Board meeting to review proposed changes to the
bylaws and governance of the KRCC. Carrie and I are two of the seven member
executive board that helps guide the dispatch center. This allows Rockland to
have good representation with the agency that receives and dispatches all of the
911 calls in the region. Our recent efforts are focused on ensuring the local
communities retain as much control as possible to see the end product meets our
“customers” needs.
 On Tuesday all Confined Space Rescue certified personnel participated in the first
half of our mandatory annual refresher training. The group was split and each
went through 4 stations that covered: EMS considerations, rappelling, using
mechanical advantage systems to make rescues and the utilization of our
confined space tripod and rescue SKEDs.
 On Tuesday afternoon a flurry of EMS activity resulted in four separate ambulance
calls in a 50 minute period, requiring all three RFD ambulances to be out and
Thomaston to have to cover the station. Luckily one call was able to close out
before the fourth began allowing RFD assets to transport all four patients.
 I began preliminary review of the latest (final?) set of plans for the Pleasant and
Main Hotel project. As with all new projects we will work closely with the Code
Office and the architects to ensure the new building meets or exceeds the Life
Safety Code.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
 City wide receptacle and building trash for three days including roadside.
 Sweeping city streets for two days.
 Harbor trail post and sign installation for two days.
 Approx. 750 yards winter sand delivered over two day period from Hartland, Inc.
from Warren. Mixing with salt and stockpiling with loader.
 Roadside mowing for one and a half days.
 Mowed city owned houses on Thomaston Street and Limerock Street.
 Cleaning catch basins all week.
 Lanes Construction paved final coat on Upper Pleasant Street. Approximately
half of cost is Thomaston responsibility.
 Waste oil pickup from Genuine and Transfer Station.
 Meeting with George Hall and Water Co. to address Camden Street trench
settlements between Achorn Street and Griffin Street in south bound lane. They
will be scheduling the repair work of these five settled areas after the Labor Day
holiday which will include the closing of one lane.
 Installed catch basin and replaced drainage culvert on Lake Avenue at
intersection of West Meadow Road. Three and a half days of work also included
ditching and shouldering on east side of road.
 Ditching and shouldering work on West Meadow Road between Tolman Road
and Lake Avenue.
 Backfilling shoulders with gravel on Upper Pleasant Street.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John Root is on vacation until Sept. 2, 2014.
 The Code Office received a Site Plan Review Application from Verizon Wireless
proposing the collocation of wireless telecommunication antennas to be
constructed on the existing building at 91 Camden Street.(Breakwater
Marketplace).
 All necessary permits have been issued for the demolition of the building at 21
Winter Street making way for CMCA’s new Contemporary Arts Center. Demolition
is scheduled to begin on or around Sept. 8, 2014 and take about 8 working days.
 There were no complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 2 Building permits
o 1 Electrical permit
o 1 Plumbing permit
o 1 Sewer Connection permit

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
The officers responded to 218 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to
eight motor vehicle crashes and 15 Animal complaints. Twenty-nine (29) traffic stops
and traffic violations were conducted. The officers made 11 arrests of individuals for
various offenses, to include Bail violations, Domestic assault offense, Theft Offenses,
Probation violations, Warrants of Arrest, Drug offense and Assault.
 Chief Boucher attended the Board of Directors meeting for Sexual Assault Support
Service of Mid coast Maine in Brunswick.
 Officers are preparing to present the department sponsored Hunter Safety classes
at City hall.
 Sgt. Finnegan presented the drug impairment training for educational
professionals on Monday and Tuesday of this week to 45 teachers at Ocean Side
East High school.
 Officer Solozarno is at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy taking instructor
certification classes on MARC (Mechanics of Arrest, Restraint and Control.)
 C.I.D. assisted MDEA with ongoing drug investigations in the Knox County Area.
 C.I.D. has been assisting the Maine Marine Patrol with a stolen boat investigation.
This boat theft occurred in Camden. C.I.D. has assisted by providing technical
support in obtaining search warrants for the suspect’s cell phone records and
social media accounts. This is an ongoing investigation at this time.
 Officer Neal assisted the Knox County court system with the service of court
documentation throughout the city this past week.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 The summer is coming to a close and we are trying to put some last minute touch
ups around the City.
 The staff has been working to get the soccer fields set up and the registration for
fall soccer will be going out the first day of school.
 We have been putting some finishing touches on the new bench outside the
Tower room so that it’s ready when dance class begins.
 The staff continues to working hard to get Snow Marine Park open as soon as
possible.
 The After School Program is ready to begin on September 2nd.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR
 Handled General Assistance inquiries.
 Met with clients who had scheduled appointments.
 Updated General Assistance paperwork and client files.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Review of business plan for new business in Rockland interested in Regional Micro
Loan.
 Meeting with existing two (separate) service based businesses to discuss Rockland
economic development.
 Coordination with Rockland Main Street, Inc. on behalf of new business seeking
downtown location.
 Outreach with partners in City cultural planning initiative to discuss application to
Maine Arts Commission.
 General review and planning with Farnsworth on Cultural Arts Leadership Forum.
 Follow up to confirm budget and plans for Thorndike Parking Lot; Met with two
owners along block regarding the project and future expansion plans for their
properties.
 Meeting with University of Maine School of Economics on range of economic
analysis projects and use of interns for the City and RMSI.
 Meeting with Maine and Company staff to introduce them to economic
development efforts and sites in Rockland.
 Prepare and staff REDAC meeting.
 Prepare and staff Harbor Trail Committee meeting.
 Coordinate and tour potential new business showing potential sites for their
expansion and relocation to Rockland.

OFFICE OF THE SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR
 Participated in a MRRA Board of Directors Meeting.
 Replaced door in the transfer station and cleaned out and painted control room.
 Installed solids screen and pump in Transfer Station Basement.
 Submitted budget for phase 2 of Gas Collection piping and flare.
 Overturned cars for the fire department in preparation of their rescue drills.
 Public Works inspected and stickered the three MSW trailers.
 Painted and renumbered all monitoring wells.
 Replaced a leaking sample port on the 816 transmission filter housing.
 Mowed and picked up litter.
 Replaced hopper mirror that was broken by the public and secured electrical
conduit that was pulled away from the wall.