The Rockland Report May 8, 2015

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 15.
 There are two appeals that I am reviewing, the information was provided.
They are Ocean State and Trade Winds.

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR
 One Lobster vessel permit was issued this week.
 Fresh water is up and run in all areas on the pier.
 Repaired and installed one of two salt water wash down pumps. The second one is being repaired and hopefully will be installed next week.
 Attended agenda setting meeting, budget meeting, and the city Manager’s
Department Head meeting.
 The Pier is starting to be very active with boats coming from the islands and the local lobstermen fixing and setting gear.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 I attended the Agenda setting meeting of City Council, as well as the Wednesday Budget Workshop, as did all the full time staff. I attended the Department Heads’ meeting, and met with Library staff.
 Keith Drago offered Drop-in Tech Help, on Monday evening.
 The bike rack was repaired by Public Services staff, and returned; they did a terrific job.
 Ann Morris, the Rockland Historical Society’s Archivist, mounted a gorgeous exhibit of historical photos, on loan from the Penobscot Marine Museum; they line the lower corridor, and will be on display at least through the summer, and quite possibly beyond. Although the website hasn’t updated since the display was at Camden in April, this will tell you about the collection, which were taken by Rockland natives, Maynard Bray and Don Merchant.
 Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class this week concentrated on May baskets; the Children’s Drawing theme added Mother's Day cards to the May basket theme.
 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.
 The LEGO club’s theme this week was race cars!
 Additional directional signage was installed by Brio Promotions; thank you to PLEA for this project.
 Keith is about two thirds of the way through completing matching signs for
shelving, making it much easier for patrons to locate material.
 Jessica Blanchard reorganized the Meeting Room Forms book, and created some simple but time-and frustration-saving procedures for same.
 Judith Andersen returned once as guest presenter of Wednesday. Jean Young
reported they had a nice group of younger children for Miss Judy. She read Dr.
Seuss’s ABC, A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman, And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon, illustrated by Janet Stevens, a few others and ending with Superhero Me! By Karen Katz. Following the readings, children proceeded to the craft table and colored Superhero printouts as a precursor to our Hero-themed Summer Reading Program.
 Patty King and Jean took a look at the Toy Library (in St. Peter’s Church); they may
be closing, and have put forth the idea of the Library lending the toys. We will
continue to study the feasibility (including the condition that the items continue to be stored at the Church), though it seems like a nice opportunity.
 Jean Young made the weekly trip to North Haven Community School Library.
 Patty King represented the Library at the City Safety Committee meeting.
 The Thursday Evening Arts and Cultural Event was Public Health Talk: Dr. Bea Szantyr on Lyme Disease & Tick-borne Illnesses, where attendees were able to learn about Lyme disease and how to keep themselves and their families safe
while enjoying the outdoors. Dr. Bea Szantyr’s exploration of Lyme disease and
other chronic debilitating illnesses began more than fifteen years ago, and now
consists of thousands of hours in related activities.
 Upcoming events—June Adult programming is all garden related; the Friends’
two-day Book, Bake, and Botanicals sale is the weekend of June 13th.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
Pollution Control Facility
 The treatment plant has been running good, there were no CSO events this week and the average plant flows were 2.3 MGD.
 Met with CLD Consulting to review our industrial permits and aligned wastewater ordinances.
 Met with Wright-Pierce to review the draft MEPDES facility permit and prepare comments.
 Conducted a bench test on some of the treatment plant residuals to see if a field trial with a prospective centrifuge system for sludge processing is worthwhile.
 Clean Harbors has been working all week on accumulated sand and grit from
various tanks and wet wells within the plant. The greatest source of this is road
sand washed into the system from the streets.
 The lab did BOD & TSS testing for North Haven.
 Worked with Wright-Pierce on CEPT testing for the primary clarifiers and wet
weather system.
 Tested BOD & TSS on the CEPT testing.
 The plant had a major power anomaly which shut down much of the process
equipment @ 3:30 A.M. on Wednesday. All of the equipment restarted with the
exception of one aeration blower. We are working with the manufacturer to
troubleshoot and correct the problem.
 Installed new flow regulators and valves on the effluent sodium hypochlorite
system.
 Cleaned the final contact chamber.
 Cleaned the weirs in the secondary clarifiers.
 Began re-pointing the exterior block walls of the primary pump room.
 Cleared a blockage in the GBT feed pipe.
Environmental Services
 Met with the owner of 55 Summer St. to discuss the possibility of connecting his existing basement drain to the new storm sewer pipe being installed past his
property. Informed him it might be allowed, his contractor should contact the city to work out the details.
 Cleaned the leachate pipeline @ the transfer station with the sewer jetter. This is routine maintenance that is done twice a year.
 Tested a drain pipe @ the rear of Atlantic Baking Company on Main St. to
determine if it is connected to the city sewer, it will require further investigation
next week.
 Worked with Don Savage and Mike Stein from Wright-Pierce Engineering to install flow monitoring equipment in 8 locations within the collection system. The is completed @ 6 of the locations, they have been calibrated and are monitoring flows. The remaining 2 are waiting for the controllers to arrive, they are expected on Monday. Other Projects Winter St.
 The contractor did not work this week, the project is delayed waiting relocation of a utility pole adjacent to the Trade Winds motel property by CMP. The new pole is scheduled to be installed next week and work will resume.
Summer St.
 220 ft. of the new 8” sewer main has been installed.
 1 new sewer manhole is set.
 5 sewer service laterals have been moved and reconnected to the new sewer
main.
 200 ft. of new storm drain pipe has been installed. Thorndike Parking Lot
 The electricians have installed the electrical panels and meter box for the lighting and are beginning to run the wire to the lamp pole bases.
 Loam and seed has been completed in all green areas.
 Work continues with the stone veneer on the seating wall at the base of the
stairway, it is approx. 90% complete. The granite cap is scheduled to be put on the wall next week.
 All pavement cuts were paved with the exception of the area in front of the trash dumpster pad.

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
In addition to the general response to 51 Fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred:
 Fire Danger: Due to the dry weather conditions and winds, the fire danger rose
quickly this week and we had numerous issues with bark mulch on Wednesday.
Thursday the risk rose even greater, though we only needed to address two
outside burning issues with people having outdoor fires. We have suspended
issuing burning permits until the elevated fire danger passes.
 Confined Space Rescue Coverage: This week FD personnel provided 20 hrs of
confined space detail coverage for FMC on Monday and details hired for
Tuesday were cancelled by FMC. We also provided coverage for Public Services
as they worked on pump stations and in manholes.
 Notable:
o The Thermal Imaging Camera bid review and summary approved for purchase
by the City Manager. We are working with the vendor to get the best final
value for the City.
o Attended an “Active Shooter” Tabletop Exercise at PBMC on Thursday.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR
 Trash pick-up City-wide (including 30 tires on Thompson Road.)
 Spring Clean-up began, continued all week.
 Helped with ground work at park by Dunkin Donuts.
 Prepped streets for center line painting.
 Sign work.
 Moving picnic tables.
 Swept streets and sidewalks.
 Picked paper at the landfill.
 Painting downtown parking spaces and crosswalks.
 Helped Treatment Plant flag traffic (2 men).
 Repaired lawn damage at landfill.
 Center line painting.
 Mowed lawns at landfill.
 Step repair on Rankin Street.
Landfill:
 Pulled north pump, extended pipe.
 Cleaned Wink’s place.
 Fire break for wood chip pile.
 Cleaned basement.
 Maritime started hauling in fill from school.
 Flushed main sewer line.
 Met with Bill Butler, MDEP, walked all over. He was pleased with what is being done and said to keep up the good work. Mechanical:
 Tractor, hydraulic tank repair, a/c recharged.
 Dozer, hydraulic leak repaired, a/c repaired.
 Lawnmowers and weed whackers all repaired for use.
 Electrical issues #8 not starting, back up alarm.
 Air can #15.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR
 Boston Financial had a clean-up day for the Ocean Street playground Thursday from 2-4. They are also looking to donate a new swing set to this playground very soon. They are just waiting to hear from their corporate office.
 Kiwanis Rockland had a clean-up day at the Warren Street playground on
Saturday. They spread some new mulch and raked the fence line and put a new
clip on a damaged swing. They had 22 bags of debris from around the
playground. Thank you for your help.
 The park in front of Dunkin Donuts was completed over the weekend and it is
looking very nice.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John attended the City Council Agenda Setting Meeting on 5/4/15, the Planning Board Meeting on 5/5/15, the Dept. Head Meeting on 5/6/15 and the City Council Budget Review Meeting 5/6/15.
 License inspections were done at the new Himalayan Restaurant, the Blackboard Deli, Pho Sizzle lunch wagon and Rock Harbor.
 John and Asst. Fire Chief Miceli did a near completion inspection at 435 Main
Street that will soon open as Main Street Market, a specialty retail grocer and
cafe.
 Final inspection was done for Certificate of Occupancy at 148 Main Street where
a new meat market will be opening this weekend.
 There were four complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 10 Building permits
o 6 Electrical permits
o 1 Plumbing permit
o 1 Sidewalk Display permit
o 3 Sign permits

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