ROCKLAND – During the past two weeks in Rockland, steps were taken to retrieve an outstanding debt from the former Rockland Lobster Company. Department heads convened to discuss MDOT’s pedestrian safety program, soon to be opened up for a public forum. The fire department advises owning carbon monoxide detectors following several calls of that nature. The library is organizing a plant/book/bake sale, and three more short-term rental site plans were approved.

Read the entire Rockland City Manager’s Report below.

OFFICE OF THE ACTING CITY MANAGER/COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

 I attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy graduation ceremony with Chief Boucher, Sergeant Russ Thompson and Officer Scott Solorzano for Officers Addison Cox and Aaron Schultz.

I would again like to congratulate Officers Cox and Schultz for completing their training with the Academy. I’ve heard high praise from their colleagues at the Rockland Police Department in the short time they’ve been there. I’m certain they will do an excellent job serving the City and protecting our citizens. I would also like to thank all the Officers and staff at the Police Department who have been working hard and coming together as a team to ensure there is consistent police coverage in Rockland despite vacancies and our two Officers who have been away at the Academy for the last few months. Everyone has truly gone above and beyond.

 A number of Department Heads, John McDonald from RSU 13 and I attended the first meeting regarding the MDOT’s pedestrian safety program. The City will participate in this program which will kick off with a public forum. This will be a good opportunity for MDOT to present data on areas that are high risk for pedestrians and get input from the community on the underlying causes and what may work in addressing these issues.

 3 RFP’s for City owned property have been advertised as of yesterday, including: 10 Lovejoy Street, 17 Sherer Lane and 42 Lakeview Drive. The submission deadline is June 1st at 2pm. The deadline for RFP responses for 59 Camden Street has passed (we received 2 responses) and the Engine Quarry RFP will end on May 23rd.

 I have been working with Bernstein Shur to try and collect on an outstanding debt owed to the City by Rockland Lobster Company that operated from the Rockland Fish Pier a number of years ago. The City received a judgement that the owner was required to pay the City over $31,000 in outstanding fees. However, collecting on this debt has been complicated by the owner of the company declaring bankruptcy. Through my work with Bernstein Shur we determined there is little to no chance of the City collecting on this debt due to the City’s position as a creditor and the value of this individual’s assets once liquidated. We certainly tried every avenue available to recover these funds but unfortunately this will be another uncollectable debt the Council will need to consider writing off.

 I have been working on completing the CDBG Economic Development Program application for Rock Harbor Brewery. We are just about ready to submit this application to the State. If we are successful Rock Harbor Brewery will received a $300,000 grant that will result in the creation of 10 jobs.

 The Harbor Master and I have a lot of work to do in getting information to MDOT and completing 2 major grant applications to the federal government for improvements to the Fish Pier and Public Pier. We have major deadlines next week so I apologize in advance if a lot of my time will be prioritized in completing these grants applications over the coming week.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

 We have received one new application for Short-Term Rental for which John created the applicant’s site plan for Planning Board review and was scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning Board.

 One Short-Term Rental property, an STR-1 two-family dwelling at 24 James Street, where one unit is occupied by the owner, a resident of Rockland, has received their permit.

 John attended a meeting of the Rockland Planning Board.

 At its May 16th meeting, the Planning Board reviewed and approved the site plan for The Function Junction, a 2,436 s.f. function room for public assembly located at 31 New County Road. The Schooner Gem was approved for height exception of its masts located at 73 Mechanic Street.

Three Short-Term Rental site plans were reviewed and approved at 30 Holmes Street, 9 Berkeley Street, and 70 Waldo Avenue.

 Bill attended meeting of the Comprehensive Planning Commission and the Planning Board.

 Bill performed a Safety Inspection of City Hall and has begun arranging necessary repairs.

 Bill performed five victualers’ license inspections and two second-hand merchant’s license inspections.

 Roxy organized, prepared for, and sent out abutters’ notices for a meeting of the Rockland Planning Board.

 Roxy prepared the quarterly Plumbing Report to the State of Maine to submit their share of plumbing permit fees.

 John met with contractors, property, and business owners regarding various proposed projects throughout the city, some of these meetings were in conjunction with the Fire Department and included on-site inspections.

 John performed inspection and issued Certificates of Occupancy for office at 147 Park Street and a single-family dwelling modular home on Country Way. He also performed inspection of and issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for an office building at 639 Main Street. Bill performed inspection of and issued a Certificate of Occupancy for a single-family dwelling and garage on Grace Street Place. He also performed inspection of and issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for two units in a 3-unit dwelling at 79 Grace Street.

 Seven complaints were filed in the past two weeks. One was regarding an unpermitted fabric structure. One was regarding an unpermitted fabric structure and unpermitted storage trailer.

One was regarding trash attracting seagulls. One was regarding trash in a brook, a fence in disrepair, and discarding of lawn clippings on another property. One was regarding an unpermitted mobile home. One was regarding a trailer in disrepair and waste and debris in the backyard. And finally, one was regarding trash and a shed falling down. We remain very busy investigating and following-up on complaint issues within the city.

 A new Planning Board Site Plan Review Application was received for a Change of Use at 129 Lake View Drive from Jessica O’Farrell for Lakeview Lodge, LLC, a kennel/boarding facility.

 We issued seventeen building permits. A permit was issued for an awning at 743 Main Street. A 32 x 32 cooler for a brewery was permitted at 5 Payne Avenue. A screened-in porch was permitted on Littlefield Street. A dormer was permitted on Talbot Avenue and another on Ocean Street. A permit was issued for installing windows and replacing floor joists on Warren Street. A shed was permitted on Acadia Drive. A fence and shed was permitted on Lisle Street.

A greenhouse was permitted on Nevelson Street. Three permits were issued to repair and replace decks on Grace Street, Broadway, and Main Street. A permit was issued to repair, replace, and relocate a garage on Broadway. A used mobile home was permitted on First Street. A permit to demolish a deck and replace with stairs was issued on Fern Street. Two fence permits were issued for Acadia Drive and Katahdin Avenue. A demolition permit was issued for a single-family dwelling on Old County Road. And finally, a permit was issued to alter an attached shed into a laundry room and 1⁄2 bath on Suffolk Street.

 We continue to be busy with various other permits, inspections, and assisting the public with questions. The following permits were issued by the Code Office:

 19 Building Permits

 6 Electrical Permits

 8 Plumbing Permits

 7 Street Excavation Permits

 2 Sign Permits

 1 Short-Term Rental Permit

 1 Street/Sidewalk Encumbrance Permit

 1 Sidewalk Display Permit

 1 Sidewalk Tables & Chairs Permit

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

 On Monday, we began offering a free Music and Movement program, which will continue June through August. It’s an opportunity to share songs and includes instrument play, movement activities, & much more. It provides a chance to discover the fun and the power of music with your baby, and is led by Ursula Crosslin of Midcoast Music Together

 The Adult Drawing class worked on migratory birds and warblers, and Children’s class had the theme of marsh & wetlands life, both led by Catinka Knoth.

 Judith Andersen (Miss Judy) happily read several stories during Wednesday Storytime; each week the audience is so varied that choices need to be switched on the spot. Jean Young, or the reader, make sure there’s a stack of diverse titles beside the reader’s chair. The favorite this week was: Wake Up!, by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder. It is one of our new books and consists of detailed photographs of small animals and birds pared with simple rhyming lines. Jean described it very simply--gorgeous. Judith included her favorite--Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems, which was followed by coloring pages from Mo Willem’s popular story; most were brought home to color later.

 As a member of the City Budget Committee, I attended the budget workshop deliberations by Council.

 This was also a LEGOSTM Club week; there was no special theme.

 I attended the monthly meeting of the Friends of Rockland Public Library Board.

 The Thursday evening Arts & Cultural Event was a talk-- Enjoy a Simpler Life by Organizing Your Home. Diane Smith, a professional home organizer, believes when we “rightsize” our home, whether we enjoy being surrounded by many possessions or maintaining a minimalist look, we liberate time for what is important. Participants received practical ideas for creating and maintaining a nurturing environment, surrounded by belongings we love that are found with ease. There was an opportunity to receive customized solutions during a Q&A session, and participants were invited to share their own strategies for success.

 Being the third Saturday of the month, Jessie Blanchard hosted Coloring for Adults. This is a great way to start your Saturday morning out right by joining the relaxing activity of coloring. Good conversation, too! Participants are encouraged to bring their coffee or tea, bring a friend, or find one here.

 Little Green Fingers, a gardening club for kids, began on Saturday. The aim is to encourage children to learn basic gardening skills through crafts and games in the Children’s Garden, adjacent to the Children’s Room. The first project was a container garden. All materials were provided.

 The Friends are actively seeking donations of books, plants, and baked goods for their upcoming sale June 10 in support of the Library.

 Reminder: The Friends of Rockland Public Library are hosting a year-round bottle drive and we need your help! They’ve signed up with CLYNK, the bag-drop bottle return system located at Hannaford supermarkets. It's easy: Get green CLYNK bags at the Book Stop (open Mon-Sat, 10-1) or from the Circulation Desk, fill them with your empty bottles and cans, and drop off your bags at the Rockland Hannaford CLYNK station. Funds raised will go automatically into our Friends of Rockland Public Library account. And please spread the word to neighbors and other community members!

 Upcoming: Let’s Talk About It: Book Group Making a Difference: How Love and Duty Change Lives--The Library has been selected by the Maine Humanities Council to offer “Let’s Talk About It”, a free reading and facilitated discussion group with copies of books available through the Library. This program is provided by the Maine Humanities Council’s Maine Center for the Book in cooperation with the Maine State Library. This will meet for five sessions, through September 26. Please stop by the reference desk to register and pick up the first book of the series, Plainsong, by Kent Haruf. Also, Author Talk: Paul Marshall, Maine Boy Goes to War and Building Body Image for Teens, a six week program.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER

 Cleaning Public landing piers for the season.

 New electrical service to public landing should be completed in two weeks.

 ACL Independence has started the season at the Public landing.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR

 The treatment plant had two C.S.O. events in the past two week period due to recent rain.

 Lab did B.O.D. and T.S.S. testing for North Haven.

 Received chemical deliveries of sodium bisulfite and sodium hypochlorite.

 Seasonal chlorination and de- chlorination systems went online on May 15th with no problems.

 Lawn mowing and landscape work around the treatment plant grounds has started.

 One employee was selected for jury duty and was out two days.

 Three employees attended training on portable diesel generators.

 Replaced the filter housing on the aeration blower intake.

 Loaded scrap metal from recent projects and hauled it to the transfer station.

 Cleaned and replaced the screens on the CSO sampler suction lines.

 Fabricated and installed a new manifold for the hypochlorite fill station.

 Tested and exercised the backup generators at the treatment plant and pump stations.

 Did the annual preventive maintenance on the de-chlorination mixer.

 Worked with Horizon Solutions and Woodard & Curran Engineering to resolve a problem with the logic controller for #1 dry weather pump.

 Completed preventative maintenance on primary clarifier #2.

 Replaced the suction valve on #1 hypochlorite bulk storage tank.

 Replaced the shut-off valve on the CSO contact chamber wash down and made changes to allow connection of two fire hoses.

 Responded to an alarm for a clogged pump at the Glenwood Ave. pump station. The pump was removed for inspection and put back in service.

 Repaired the sump pump at the Waldo Ave. pump station.

 Did weekly pump station testing and inspection.

 Continued sewer manhole inspection and surveys.

 Met with a property owner and contractor to discuss installation of a new sewer lateral on Crescent Street.

 Completed CCTV inspection of 300 ft. of sewer main on Simmons Street.

 Responded to 10 dig-safe requests for Maine-Water.

 Smoke tested storm water piping on Thomaston St. for the Dept. of Public Services.

 Cleaned the sewer main on Amesbury St. with the sewer jetter and inspected the pipe with the CCTV equipment.

 Worked on data entry into the G.I.S.

 Did dig-safe checks at 5 locations for the Dept. of Public Services.

 3 employees attended a day of training on OSHA requirements in construction and industry.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR

 Assisted resident with having contractor repair phone line that was damaged during work done for the Water Company.

 We are in the process of having Dig Smart of Maine conduct a ground penetrating radar survey to determine the exact extent of the concrete subbase on route 73.

 After incorporating recommended changes, the Ecomaine waste and recycling contract was sent to the attorney for final review prior to submittal to Ecomaine.

 Centerline painting has been scheduled.

 Finalized and submitted annual solid waste report.

 Attended DOT Local Project Administration training (LAP), completed testing and attained 4 year certification.

 Met with Patrick Adams and Dave Allen and several members of the public about incorporating bike lanes with bike awareness icons in the roadway mainly in the Main Street and Union Street area.

 Met with Patrick Adams as well as other Department Heads, the City Manager and the RSU13 Superintendent about pedestrian safety program being sponsored by the DOT.

 Attended Energy Committee Meeting - Weatherize Rockland and LED lighting were reviewed.

 Changed locks on sewer acquired property at 29 Broad Street.

 Worked on landscaping and edging in City Parks.

 Rebuilt several picnic tables and did citywide inventory.

 Attended meeting to prepare for Lobster Festival Parade.

 Received bids on Straw Blower and prepared the bid acceptance paperwork.

 Continued work with Woodard & Curran on landfill closure and finalizing the Schedule of Compliance.

 Attended budget presentation Council meeting with budget working group.

 Worked on schedule for Old County Road ball field for this upcoming season.

 Continued working on Zone 3 spring clean-up. Zone 3 will have to be carried into the next week along with Zone 4 due to the work load going on.

 Assisted Garden Club.

 Began crosswalk painting.

 Continued brick repair at Winslow Holbrook Park.

 Citywide cold patch.

 Citywide trash pickup.

 Street sweeping citywide.

 Transfer Station dozer repair.

 Installed street sign greenway.

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF

Over this preceding two weeks, in addition to the response to 74 Fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred:

 Training for the month has been split between forcible entry and company tactics upon arrival at a house fire. FF Anderson continued to train the department on methods of forcible entry with the counties new training prop. A/C Miceli has been running the shifts through some initial operations when responding to a reported fire.

 The new oil tanks put in place by C-shift were connected to the boiler by Mechanical Services and they are up and operational, just in time to shut down the boiler and enjoy some of this Maine summer weather heading our way!

 Our oldest ambulance, Rescue 2, has been receiving some TLC due to its aging. Brake work, as well as some electrical work, was performed over the past two weeks. We are hoping to keep it roadworthy for at least another year before looking at a new truck.

 Rescue 1 and 3 were both checked for alignment issues and the appropriate settings were confirmed.

 Training for FF Pendleton on Tower 3 operations were conducted over the last few weeks. Each firefighter must show proficient use in all the apparatus and Bill is well on his way.

 Chief Whytock attended the State wide “Ice Storm” drill. This drill allowed the Knox County to evaluate its responses and implement any changes needed in the event of a disaster such as a big winter storm. Preplanning and hazard mitigation all play a big role in our ability to respond to events such as these and the drill was a success. We will be adjusting a few things and always looking to improve.

 A-Shift, along with Chief Whytock, responded mutual aid to Thomaston for a report of a building fire. Heavy fire was found on arrival by Thomaston’s first due crew and the fire was quickly contained. Members of RFD aided in the extinguishment as well as the establishment of water supply.

 Rockland Fire & EMS has responded to a handful of residences over the last month and found high levels of Carbon Monoxide. Thankfully these calls had been detected by alarm systems within the homes that alerted the occupants to the problem. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CO ALARM in your home. If you have any questions as to the location or installation of a CO or smoke alarm, call us. We can offer advice over the phone and even come to your home and install them if needed. We can be reached at 594-0318.