The Rockland Report August 7, 2015

OFFICE OF THE CITY ASSESSOR
 Processed Real Estate Transfers, updating parcel cards, sales book, and
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.
 Updating GIS with the new splits and merging parcels.
 Listening and reviewing properties at the property owner’s request.
 Updating Tax Maps and posting to the web site.
 Close to final commitment on August 14th.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
 Catinka Knoth’s Children’s Maine lighthouses and boats; Adults worked on
Marshall Point Light.
 I attended the (first) Agenda Setting Meeting of City Council, but was unable to attend the continued meeting on Tuesday.
 I attended the Department Heads’ meeting, as well as the downtown event
announcing the $50,000 prize to the City of Rockland for the proposal to create
an online portal called Smart Start Rockland.
 The Summer Breakfast and Lunch programs continue.
 Keith hosted the Monday evening Drop-in Tech Help.
 Jessie Blanchard prepared for the Teen Graphic Novel Club’s -History in Comic Format; this week was to center around history and non-fiction in graphic novel format. She had no attendees—if anyone can suggest a new or better way to advertise and entice this target audience (and yes, we offered snacks), we’d love to hear your suggestions!
 Patty King and I met with Audrey Lovering, regarding the idea of a Community Literacy program. As the director of the Many Flags project, Audrey and her contacts will be most helpful in determining whether and how to move forward.
 Judith Anderson is back for Wednesday Storytime and brings such a sunny
disposition. Each child and family member is greeted with “I am so glad you are
here!”. Titles read included: The Summer Visitors by Karel Hayes, The Rooster
Crows: A Book of American Rhymes and Jingles, by Maud and Miska Petersham (Caldecott Medal). Miss Judith advised parents that we will be hosting two children’s authors this week (see below).
 Rachel Nixon presented Children’s Yoga class, for kids and parents; contrary to my earlier reporting, next week will be the last session. Also part of The Arts... programming.
 Friend Board Member, Marilyn Trask, presented Storytime of the Rockland Farmers’ Market this week, as the event moved back to its regular home in Harbor Park.
 Jessie Blanchard presented What’s in the Trunk?: Lobster Science! As she let the Lobster Festival continue with the Library’s August Science Trunk, participants were able to know the famous crustacean as more than just a favorite seafood dinner in Maine. Activities included Lobster Dress-up/Lobster Anatomy, Lobster Transect- A method used to study baby lobsters, Meet a Live Lobster and Lobster Craft – the Lobster Fan.
 The Thursday Evening Arts and Cultural Event was a Nature Talk & Book Signing: Preacher Birds & Teacher Birds: Surprising Stories about Maine's Favorite Birds. Jeff and Allison Wells presented fascinating mysteries about some of Maine’s favorite birds. They shared stories of their birding adventures. Book signing (and sale) followed.
 Jean Young was delighted to welcome children’s book author, Iza Trapani, for a special Storytime on Friday. The author and illustrator (Haunted Party, The Bear Went Over the Mountain) read from her well-loved books. Iza is originally from Poland and has adapted and illustrated many favorite nursery tales. Ms. Trapani had called a couple of weeks ago, to offer this gift, as she traveled in Maine.
 On Saturday, the Children’s Room has another special Storytime, with local
author, Fran Hodgkins, who read her latest book, The Secret Galaxy.
 Upcoming: Did you know that the LEGO Club meets alternating Tuesdays in the
Children’s Room (8/11 and 8/25 this month)? Summer Reading Finale, with the
wonderful Mad Science program, drawing for winners of bikes donated by the
Masons Knox Lodge, and the perennial Make you own Sundae. Also—(hint, hint, nudge, nudge) The Friends of Rockland Public Library will be holding the First Annual Bag & Tag sale in August—here’s your chance to unload some unwanted items, and help raise funds for the Library at the same time. Please do note—items will not be accepted at the Library. Rather, please contact Jeanie: 593-7112 or Rebecca: 975- 3946. Tax deductible receipts available.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Officers responded to 323 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to 5 motor vehicle crashes and 7 animal complaints. 21 traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. Officers charged or made arrests of 21 individuals for various offenses, to include Warrants of Arrest, Bail violations, Alcohol violations, Probation Violations, Theft of Services, Domestic Assault, Trespassing, Assault and Operating under the Influence.
 All officers were busy this week working extra hours in support of the Maine Lobster Festival. Officers worked their regular scheduled shifts as well as provided security on the grounds and overnight security.
 Bicycle, Motorcycle and foot patrols were deployed last week as staffing allowed.
 Radar details are being conducted on Main St. to ensure that motorists are in
compliance with the speed limit on Main St.
 Sgt. Finnegan met with members of a support group for friends and family that
have loved ones who are addicted to narcotics. Sgt. Finnegan explained what
drug impairment might look like and was a resource for them and answered
questions.
 Coordinated with US Navy personnel during the port visit from the U.S.S. Tortuga. This was on going coordination to address any issues that arose during the port visit and to ensure that those issues were addressed appropriately.
 Coordinated police services/security during the Maine Lobster Festival. This
included close communication with MLF Staff and emergency management.
 In the processes of conducting an after action review of the Maine Lobster
Festival in order to ensure that we are addressing any issues/concerns and to
make sure the police department is running as efficiently as possible during the
festival week.
 C.I.D. assisted the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with an incident that took place on board the U.S.S. Tortuga.
 C.I.D. participated in a detail involving Maine Drug Enforcement and the
Department of Probation and Parole. This detail involved conducting random
checks of people who are either on Probation or have active bail conditions.
During this detail 14 different checks were conducted. One person was arrested
for violating their probation and 5 people were arrested for violating their bail
conditions.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER
 Helped corral a wayward sailboat that broke free from its mooring and put her on another mooring temporarily.
 Yet another boat dragged her anchor and we got her safely on a mooring near
Jameson Point.
 Met the Rockland Fire Department at the Pearl dock and helped them inspect
the bottom of the pier to ensure that a small fire on the pier was entirely out.
 Got a call from the North Haven Ferry that there was a mooring buoy adrift in the channel, we went out and towed it ashore.
 More business as boats come and go at the Public Landing; The schooner
Bowdoin from the Maine Maritime Academy and the schooner Brilliance from
Mystic Seaport both stopped in. Looking forward to next week's visit by the New
York Yacht Club. They appear to be stopping in Rockland every summer now. Also have the Cruising Club of America and the Ocean Cruising Club coming through this week.
 Another small cruise ship, the Grande Caribe is scheduled for the Public Landing, and then schooner Victory Chimes will be here as the committee boat for the NYYC.
 Out rental moorings have been pretty busy just about every night for the last few weeks. I expect it to continue as we see lots of cruising boats coming through
town. Another night tonight where they are all rented.
 The Lobster Festival did a great job cleaning up, but the clean up crew must have run over one of the waterlines in Buoy Park. We had to dig it up and repair it so that our regular food vendors could operate for the rest of the summer.

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
Over the past week, 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:
 Friday, Saturday and Sunday I prepared Incident Action Plans for the Lobster
Festival and Parade. We were fortunate that none of the severe weather affected
us, but on two occasions we received warnings that required closer watches and
on Saturday afternoon we briefly stood up our Unified Command to discuss
addressing the potential severe weather event, which thankfully passed to our
north. Our written plan and actual actions are geared to minimize the potential
for the types of tragic events as seen in New Hampshire and Illinois.
 With the installation of a GFCI circuit breaker, I believe we’ve corrected or
addressed every issue on our DOL list and our policies have been updated to
minimize any future issues.
 I spent a bit of time working on the Short Term Rental issue. Monday evening’s public forum was very positive, and I’m confident that the final ordinance will properly address our Life Safety concerns. This is one of a few recent issues that highlight technology and changing services are outpacing the Code review and adoption process at the national level.
 Reviewed updates to the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors emergency plan as
submitted by MBHH and began a dialogue with them on expanding the plan,
specifically with regard to severe weather events.
 I reached out to Evergreen Home Performance in hopes of partnering with them on the installation of smoke and CO detection in homes they are working to make energy efficient. Given that one consequence of sealing homes is faster carbon monoxide issues and ventilation limited fires, a proactive stance on detection seems to be of particular value. With any luck this collaboration will extend to the Red Cross Home Fire Detection initiative and to all of the areas that Evergreen services.
 CEO Root and I conducted a walk-through inspection for potential new
restaurant.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR
 Swept City streets.
 Trash pick-up City-wide.
 Picked up horses from festival.
 Augusta to pick up frame for sign truck.
 Weedwacked around public works garage (inmates).
 Birch Street basin repair.
 Watered flowers.
 Lawn mowing.
 Took truck #10 to Augusta and picked up truck #8 from Westbrook.
 Prepped hot top.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
 John met with the City Manager and the Fire Chief on 8/3 to discuss the vacation rental workshop.
 John attended the City Council Agenda Setting Meeting on 8/3 and 8/4.
 John also attended the Dept. Head Meeting on 8/4.
 License inspection was done at the American Legion Hall.
 There were five complaints filed this week.
 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:
o 6 Building permits
o 3 Electrical permits
o 3 Plumbing permits
o 2 Sidewalk Display permits

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR
 The Harbor’s Maine Lobster industrial wastewater permit has been drafted and
finalized.
 Began installing the privacy fenced between the park on Tillson Ave and the
Wastewater treatment facility.
 Performed preventative maintenance on aeration blower number 2.
 Replaced the aeration tank #6 dissolved oxygen analyzer.
 Replaced plant water pressure sensor.
 Waldo Ave pump station needed impellers cleared of debris to prevent pumps
from overheating.
 Investigated blockage in Thorndike parking lot and corrected lateral connection issue.
 Investigated Syncroflo self-priming system used for plant water system.
 Continued work on ABS dry weather spare pump rebuild.
 Ordered three replacement plant grinders.
 Woodard & Curran have completed the draft Wet Weather Plan and we are
currently reviewing
 The water treatment plant process is performing well, no issues this week.
 As part of the DOL corrective action AGT was contacted to inspect and make
repairs to the plant lift, Mark Maguire from AGT will be in next week to provide lift training.

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