The following report was submitted by Rockport Town Manager Jon Duke in advance of the Select Board’s July 8 meeting.

Election Results:
We completed our election just under a month ago with the results of the races for various positions on the ballot listed below. Over 1,000 voters participated with one-third of that amount voting via absentee.

While our residents are still trying to get used to the change of voting at the library, overall the process has gone smoothly and we hope to be even better prepared for the November Presidential election.

Maine state law governing absentee voting makes it incredibly easy for residents to vote before election day for any reason and those who wish to avoid the crunch can do so at the Town Office for nearly a month prior to the election. Something to think about when we vote again this fall.

3-year term for Select Board: Denise Munger and Michelle Hannan; 1-year term for Select Board: John Viehman.

3-year term Library Committee: David Bannister and Helen Shaw; 3-year term School Board: Marcia Dietrich.

3-year term Budget Committee: Walker Angell, Helen Shaw, and Steven Bowen (write in) 2-year term Budget Committee: Douglas Cole and Clayton Tolman (write in).

Harbor:

Footbridge Update: Many thanks to Dallas Fields of Fields Dive Service who built and installed a 6’x 50’ aluminum footbridge with Ipe wood decking to replace the previous footbridge in the harbor. Dallas was supported by Schofield Welding, Harrington’s Crane Service, and Walter Gray to help make this project a reality. We’ve received so many compliments about the new footbridge and look forward to all of our residents getting a chance to enjoy it in the years to come.

Public Works:

Project Updates. Our crews have been actively engaged in spring cleanup through the majority of the last two months, which has slowed progress on our road projects. However, we’ve made some substantial stormwater improvements on Wellington Drive in preparation for paving in that neighborhood this summer. We are working our way up the hill to make these stormwater improvements and replacing end of life culverts prior to paving.

Soon, our crews will return to Main Street to resume our efforts of brush cutting and ditching along the stretch of Main Street between Route 1 and Simonton’s Corner. Once ready, a contractor will be grinding up the failed asphalt road base prior to paving a base coat this summer.

Also on Main Street, though this section between Route 1 and the Goose River Bridge, contractors from Farley Inc. will begin their work on stormwater improvements and the installation of a sidewalk from the end of Summer Street and concluding at the Town Office.

Lastly, and certainly not least importantly, crews from Farley, Inc., will begin work this month to replace the entrance to Robinson Drive.

In Lieu of Taxes:

Many thanks to Mid-Coast Solid Waste Corporation which contributed $4,379 in lieu of paying taxes to help assist with town provided services. Though it is not a requirement, it is greatly appreciated non-profits see such value in how the Town supports them.

Marge Jones Fields:

Congratulations to Five Town Babe Ruth and Five Town Little League on the completion of their baseball, softball, and tee ball seasons. So many of the kids in our area have been able to use our fields this spring and many thanks to the volunteers and parents who also do their part to help keep our fields in excellent condition.

Five Town Little League’s Challenger Division will beginning play this month. Please visit the Five Town Little League Facebook page for more information.

Facility Improvements. Maine Tennis and Track will be resurfacing the basketball and tennis courts over the next month. This will impact their availability for use and because their process is weather dependent, the schedule for these projects will vary with the weather. We will use the Recreation Fields Facebook page whenever possible to keep residents informed about potential conflicts.

If you want to schedule the use of a field for this year, email rockportrec@rockportmaine.gov.

Library:

Upcoming Programs: Check out the library website at https://www.rockport.lib.me.us/

Fire Department:

West Rockport Fire Station Updates: The fire station project is moving ahead with roofing, siding and the final pouring of the floor inside the truck bays to come in the weeks ahead.

Burn Permits. By definition a “recreational campfire” means an outdoor fire that is used for cooking, personal warmth and light or ceremonial or aesthetic purposes that is not a part of debris disposal (AKA burning brush). In addition, a new law for 2024 clarifies a fire pit may not exceed three feet in height or width. ALL other fires are required to obtain a daily permit online at Wardensreport.com. It’s free and easy so there are no excuses why everyone can’t get a permit when needed!

For those interested in learning more about joining the fire department, please contact Chief Peasley at jpeasley@rockportmaine.gov

EMS:

We hope to interview candidates for the newly created paramedic and fire fighter/advanced EMT positions this summer with the positions starting in October. Upon completion of the West Rockport Fire Station, we will move to 24-hour coverage for Fire and EMS, with a firefighter EMT and a Paramedic on shift 24 hours, off shift for 48 hours, on shift again for 24 hours, and then off for 4 days. This schedule will broaden the base of individuals who might be interested in working for Rockport beyond those living locally. Those interested in learning more about these positions should seek out the Town’s Facebook page or the website.

Once we are fully staffed, will be responding to all EMS calls 24/7, 365 days a year supporting our current EMS provider. Once our new staff members become proficient in our policies and procedures, we are confident our staff can assume 100% of transporting responsibilities for EMS needs in Rockport in 2025.

Opera House:

We have a busy schedule this summer of events taking place at the Opera House. For more information on all of our events, please visit our calendar at rockportmaine.gov/operahousecalendar.

Planning and Community Development:

VPI Traffic Study. The Traffic Infrastructure Study project is nearing completion and will be finished this month. Once complete, the work of the VPI Task Force will provide recommendations from this study to the Select Board for their consideration. There is a wide array of items to consider from the intersection of Pascal Avenue and Route 1 across the bridge and ending at Huse Street. I hope this effort will not only provide a playbook for the Town to utilize in future development but more importantly assist us in seeking grant funding to improve areas of the village without negatively impacting its character. The potential for a new bridge weighs heavily and the ability to support the needs of this bridge and smoothly support our residents on foot, on a bike, or behind the wheel through these areas is important.

Employment Opportunities:

We have several job openings with the Town of Rockport, stop by the Town Office for an application or call and we can email you an application. The Town of Rockport is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job applications are available on our town website, along with a detailed job description and pay/benefits. https://rockportmaine.gov/jobs

This position involves manual work in road construction, repair, and maintenance, snow and ice removal, and other seasonal public works projects. The salary range for this position is $20.00 - $27.00 per hour, dependent on experience and training. Those with a CDL are preferred. Training is available for the right candidate to assist in gaining their CDL License. The person in this position will work under the direction of the Public Works Director.

Firefighter/EMT/AEMT – The Rockport Fire Department is currently accepting applications for two full-time Firefighter EMT/AEMT positions.

The primary duties involve covering the Town of Rockport for all EMS and Fire calls. The successful candidates will demonstrate a customer service driven focus, seeking opportunities to engage with and provide the community with top notch care in their daily work.

Civic Ready:

We encourage all residents to sign up for this, if you are interested in knowing what is happening in the Town of Rockport. What is great about this system is that you decide which types of information you receive whether it is a reminder when property taxes are due to information on an upcoming event at the library, opera house or when a public works project is happening in your neighborhood; Civic Alert can keep you informed. Those interested can also sign up for alerts on our website at https://rockportmaine.gov/civicready

Maine Water Assistance Program:

Is a federally funded program to help support eligible households in having access to drinking water and wastewater utility services. Households will be required to have water liability to be eligible for the drinking water/wastewater program. To receive an application, you can call 888- 623-6762 or email water@mainehousing.org.

Rockport Resource Newsletter:

If you would like to receive the Rockport Resource Newsletter via email you can sign up through our website.