The Rockland Report April 17, 2015

OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR
 Approved Payroll Warrant.
 Approved Accounts Payable Warrant.
 FY16 Budget Work.
 Attended meeting with City Manager, School Superintendent and Business
Manager to discuss budget implications to the City of Rockland.

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 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.
 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 property owner’s request.
 Updating Tax Maps and posting to the web site.
 There is one appeal from Wal-Mart to the State Board that is scheduled for
May 14 & 15.
 There are two appeals that I am waiting for information on; they are
Ocean State and Trade Winds.

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 Issued one Commercial Transport Building Material permit this week.
 Commencing repairs and hooking up water supply to the pier. Water has been
turned on to the Journey’s End side of pier and the Landings Marina side should
be up and flowing next week.
 Met with Fred Beal (surveyor) on dredging project. They plan on starting to take soundings around the pier and hope to have it completed well before June 30, 2015, so we can start the next phase of the dredging process.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Spent the wonderful weather this week working outdoors on floats. Especially the Middle Pier floats and the ones that go out to the Lighthouse.
 Public Services went to Gardiner and got the three new Snow Park floats and we helped them unload them, so now we can work on them to make them join our other floats.
 The repair work in the Harbor Building is moving right along, the crew could be all wrapped up by the end of next week, everything is going back together
smoothly.
 It really is spring, the piles of snow have mostly melted, making enough room for the placement of the portable toilets in the parks.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Carol Bachofner has been holding Poet Laureate Hours: “The Poet Is In” on
Mondays.
 Both Catinka Knoth’s Adult and the Children’s Drawing classes concentrated on Cherry Trees and the Cherry Blossom Festival
 Thanks for the prompt service from McMahon Plumbing, for the replacement of a toilet which had a cracked tank, and the repair of another that had been
overstuffed and overflowing.
 Judith Andersen returned as guest presenter of Wednesday Storytime, Miss Judy first read a few books about color and then shared our library color wheel. With this you can blend two colors such as yellow and red, and find orange, etc. It’s a nice visual for teaching children about color. Books she read on this subject were: Edible Colors: See, Learn, Eat, by Jennifer Vogel Bass, Growing Colors, by Bruce McMillan, Dog’s Colorful Day, by Emma Dodd. She then pulled out some old standbys, including Going to Town, My First Little House Book adapted from the Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Oliver Pig and the Best Fort Ever, by Jean Van Leeuwen. Afterwards, Children’s Librarian Jean Young had a simple coloring of a daffodil and encouraged the children to enjoy their colors.
 The Library presented a Film & Discussion: Growing Local; co-sponsored with Maine Farmland Trust and the Good Tern Co-op, the film is a collaboration
between Maine Farmland Trust and Seedlight Pictures and points to the vibrancy
and the growing pains of the local food movement in Maine, and the uncertain
fate of the farmers and farmland which keep it alive. The film contains three short vignettes: “Seeding A Dream,” “Pig Not Pork,” and “Changing Hands.” Discussion with local farmers followed the film.
 The Memoir Writing Workshop was held on Tuesday. This group meets weekly, and is open to anyone who wants to write, share, or just listen.
 Poetry Month Rockland’s Fireside Poetry Series this week was Ink Bone Poetry Group, which was originally formed as a drop-in group in 2007. It has changed participants and configurations a few times before settling into the configuration it is now, a consistent group of women poets who meet twice a month to share original poetry, critique their work, and engage in revisions.
 Jean Young made the weekly trip to the North Haven Community School.
 Jessie Blanchard and Mary Jane Martin, co-chairs of Poetry Month Rockland,
were two of the judges for the Poetry Contest. Those who submitted a winning
entry will be notified soon, and invited to participate in the Swarm of Poets on April 30.
 The Thursday Evening Arts & Cultural Event was a talk-- Independent Publishing for Maine Writers. New advances in printing technology have created a boom in independent publishing. Many first-time authors as well as previously published authors are choosing to self-publish. This program was designed to guide authors through the steps needed to publish responsibly, effectively, and learn to avoid the many pitfalls in the fast-changing world of independent publishing. Participants learned about self-publishing, the importance of editing, eBooks, marketing plans, and the technical assistance they need to get their book in print. Jane Karker, the presenter, told Patty King this was the best presentation she has done; the audience was prepared with relevant questions, and engaged
throughout.
 On Saturday, we presented a special craft program, Painting Found Objects.
Local artist Sue Reed led a special painting session for older children, teens, and
adults. (Part of The Arts for…Kids and their Families series)
 Also on Saturday, Writing Workshop: Finding Subject Matter: Cartoons as Catalysts for Poems. What engages us in cartoons? What engages us in poems? In this hands-on workshop, Ellen Goldsmith encouraged attendees to look at some of the roots of the humor in successful cartoons-- what interests us, what holds us, what leads to further thinking, then had participants engage in writing activities -- in pairs, individually and as a group.
 Upcoming events—lots for you and your kids to do during vacation week including: Lego Club meets on Tuesday, as does the Children’s Drawing Class. On Wednesday, Droplet Dance, part of The Arts… for Kids and Their Families at the Rockland Public Library series - join us for this program choreographed by Molly Gawler. Thursday, What’s In The Trunk?: Creativity

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
Pollution Control Facility
 The treatment plant has been running well all week.
 The plant flows were high this week due to the ongoing CSO event. Average flow
through the plant was 4.0 mgd. With the CSO, combined flows reached over 15
mgd.
 The lab did BOD and TSS testing for North Haven and BOD testing for Vinalhaven.
 Began testing new protocols to remove all hazardous waste streams from the lab.
 E.P.I. collected hazardous waste from the plant and lab for disposal.
 Received deliveries of sodium hypochlorite and bisulfite required to treat the plant effluent starting in May.
 Installed a new chlorination mixer in the effluent channel at the final contact
chamber.
 Began testing the chemical pumps, controls, and instrumentation to prepare for
startup in May.
 Interstate septic cleaned and pumped the wet well at Glenwood Avenue pump
station.
 Did preventative maintenance and repairs to the belt filter presses, the drive
motor on #1 press needs replacement and has been ordered.
 K.I.S. completed leak repairs to the headworks building influent channel and also re-caulked an expansion joint on the exterior of the east wall that was allowing rain water into the stairwell. Environmental Technicians
 Inspected and approved a sewer lateral repair at 41 Talbot Avenue.
 Inspected a sewer lateral with the CCTV equipment at 73 Talbot Avenue that was recently purchased by the Berry Manor Inn to determine if it required
replacement. Will follow up and discuss our findings with the owner.
 Cleaned and inspected a storm drain line on Limerock Street west of Broadway. The pipe had severe tree root intrusion and the root cutter had to be used to clear it. The inspection showed the pipe to be in good condition otherwise. Larger pneumatic tires have been purchased for the camera transporter to make it travel through corrugated drain lines better, they are expected next week.
 Did some additional smoke testing in the area of Crescent, Atlantic, and Scott
streets to confirm that the sewer to storm drain connection detected during
testing by Wright-Pierce had been located and sealed when the old emergency
sewer overflow on Scott Street was located and sealed.
Other Projects
 Thorndike Parking Lot: Farley & Son has completed approx. 90% of the Tillson Avenue sidewalk, begun setting the concrete bases for the new light poles, and have cut and removed the pavement to set the granite curb along the west side (behind the buildings).
 Winter Street: J.B.I. started work on the Maine Water portion of the project. All water main pipe and fittings have been delivered. A 12 inch valve was installed at the Park Drive and Commercial Street intersection and the new water main across to Winter Street was completed. Shop drawings for the storm drain basins were received for review and approval.

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
In addition 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:
 Training: We hosted the Knox County Firefighter Academy on Saturday. The class was instructed by former Fire Chief Jordan and trained on Ladders both here at the station and on Walker Place. We have two firefighters in the program which will graduate in June.
 Confined Space Rescue Coverage: This week FD personnel provided 136 hrs of confined space detail coverage for FMC between Monday and Thursday.
 Meeting(s): Attended the Knox County Fire Chief’s Quarterly meeting. Was seated to a committee to work with a hired consultant on “Enhanced Mutual Aid” in the county. I also attended the Knox EMA directors meeting.
 Of Note: Thank you to the Council for the kind and supportive words when
honoring A/C Elwell’s 20 years of service to the City. I mean it when I say he does an outstanding job saving money by performing in-house that work that most FD’s would send out, saving us labor costs and dealer mark-up on parts.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR
 Sign maintenance and repair multiple days.
 Cold patching City wide multiple days. Two load picked up in Windsor.
 Cleaning, painting and repairing trash cans and picnic tables. Tables and cans
put out.
 City wide trash pickup.
 Sidewalk and street sweeping multiple days.
 Picking paper and trash at landfill multiple days.
 Dig safe at several locations.
 Stone wall repair and handrail repair.
 Truck and trailer to Gardiner for harbor floats.
 Yard clean-up for City-owned properties.
 Met with D.E.P. at landfill.
 Mechanic work: truck 22, exhaust replaced; truck 21, transmission line; truck 1 still at Fullers being repaired; sweeper #29, replaced belts, weld patch on hopper hyd-motor; sweeper #18, replaced brooms; landfill skidsteer, maintenance, tires, oil, back-up alarm short in wiring.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 We have been able to start the lawn clean up here at the Recreation building.
The wind and warmer weather has been great for drying things out and getting
the lawns in condition to be worked on.
 I have spoken with the Police Chief about the flag at Chapman Park, and it will be replaced for Patriot’s day on the 20th.
 We have developed a new scholarship for the Summer Day Camp. There will be a press release put together and out to the papers by Monday. Sign-ups for the
Summer Day Camp program start on Monday the 27th of April.
 I am working on a new style bench to replace the memorial benches that were
placed at Mildred Merrill Park last summer. The new benches will be stronger and last longer than the ones that were purchased last year.
 Next week we will be working in cooperation with Public Services to get the grass areas from Sandy Beach to Five Corners raked and cleaned up. This is in an effort to get ahead of the mowing.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John has been out sick part of this week but has tried to help out as much as he
can from home.
 The Code Office received a Home Occupation Permit for a Daycare at 43 Rankin Street. The Planning Board will review this application at its May 5th meeting.
 Dave performed license inspections at La Comida, a new restaurant at 421 Main Street and at Sandbagger’s Café at the Rockland Golf Club.
 Dave met with a representative from Back Cove Yachts to discuss parking area expansion needed to accommodate the number of new employees.
 Dave also met the electrician at Fisher Snow Plows to review plans for an
additional electrical service needed due to their expanding production.
 Dave prepared for and attended the Comprehensive Planning Commission
meeting on 4/16/15.
 There were five complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 4 Building permits
o 4 Electrical permits
o 1 Sewer Connection permit
o 2 Sign permits
o 1 Street Excavation permit

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Officers responded to 271calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to 8 motor vehicle crashes and 3 animal complaints. Fifty-six (56) traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. Forty-seven (49) parking violations were issued. Officers charged or made arrests of 29 individuals for various offenses, to include Warrants of Arrest, Theft, Bail violations, Probation Violations, Traffic offenses, Alcohol Offenses, Drug Offenses, Obstructing Government Administration and Operating under the Influence.
 DC Young and Det. Sgt. Pease attended training in Westbrook on “Leading by
Legacy” this past week.
 Chief Boucher attended the Knox County: Substance Abuse Prevention &
Recovery meeting this past week.
 The department has been working with Rockland Maine Street Inc. on the
planning for the Summer Solstice event held along Main St. on June 20th
 Traffic Officer Peasley deployed the Denver boot on a vehicle due to several
unpaid and past due parking tickets. The owner paid the outstanding fines and
“boot” fee at the City Clerk’s Office within a couple hours and the Denver boot
was removed.
 On Saturday April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Rockland Police Department will give the public another opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Rockland Police Department at 1 Police Plaza, Rockland. We are unable to accept needles, inhalers or thermometers. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
 Submission of CDBG downtown revitalization grant for downtown sidewalks.
 Meeting with property developer and land owner to discuss potential
development opportunity.
 Finalization of the Tillson District developer request for information – sought
feedback internally and from property owner, their Attorney and Real Estate
Broker.
 Meeting with Executive Director of Cruise Maine.
 Meeting with downtown property owner.
 Meeting with Town of Rockport and Tilson Technology to discuss commencement
of high speed broadband planning study.
 Worked on Coastal Communities grant application.
 Attended the Rockland Main Street Board of Directors meeting.
 Meeting with Director of Correctional Industries program to discuss collaboration opportunities.