Of note this week in the Rockland City Manager’s Report, the reliability of one of the ambulances is in question. The tax assessment appeal by Ocean State Job Lots has been denied. Paving of the intersection of Winter Street and Park Drive is scheduled for this week. The recreation department is working on getting dog-waste receptacle bins, and, among the 251 calls to Rockland Police, five of the calls were complaints about animals.

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 are two appeals that I am reviewing. They are, Ocean State Job Lots which as of May 26 I have denied and other is the Trade Winds Hotel and the timeshare condos.

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR

Pollution Control Facility

 The treatment plant continued to run well this week.

 There were CSO events on two days with plant flows reaching 10.5 MGD on both days.

 Plant flows during the remainder of the week averaged 3.0 MGD.

 Received bulk delivery of hypochlorite and bisulfite.

 We had a Combined Sewer Overflow coliform exceedance due to a misrepresentative sample during intermittent storm water flow. Sampling technique has been reviewed and additional control measures are being implemented, one of these is the use of chemical at a second location in the process to aid in disinfection.

 Completed an SOP for the polymer process. This was a corrective action to prevent the possibility of future settleable solids incidents.

 Began updating the MSDS manual to the mandated new SDS system. All updates are required by 6/1/2016. Good progress is being made on this.

 Conducted a pretreatment inspection with DEP at one of the permitted industrial users.

 Discussed with an Industrial User providing them with plant flow readings using telemetry to assist with corrective action required by the DEP. The IU needs to implement this corrective action as a result of a pipe break that resulted in a discharge to the harbor.

 Worked with Woodard & Curran to resolve SCADA issues regarding aeration blower controls and also speed control of #2 filter press.

 Cleaned the vortex separator the CSO contact chamber and both effluent contact chambers.

 Changed the hoses on the composite sampler.

 The lab did effluent sampling for MEPDES permit.

 Did BOD and TSS testing for both Vinalhaven and North Haven Environmental Services

 Worked with tech support from FlowAV to resolve an issue with the flow monitoring equipment being used for the collection system flow monitoring study. Some of the locations had lost their cellular connection but data was stored in the memory and was not lost. Also replaced batteries at some locations.

 Worked with Wright-Pierce to select and locate 30 additional sites for additional flow monitoring to be done at night during low flows. This is scheduled for Tuesday 6/9 between 11:00 P.M. and 5:30 A.M. Wednesday 6/10.

 Received, installed and programmed the electronic rain gauge to be used as part of the flow monitoring study.

 Received and approved drawings and specifications for a backflow preventer the property owner is planning to install in the sewer lateral at 45 Highland Street.

 Investigated two unknown pipes the contractor discovered while excavating on Winter Street. Using the CCTV camera it was determined that both were abandoned and could be removed.

 Recorded the location of the new sewer and storm water manholes on Summer Street so they can be entered into the G.I.S.

Other Projects

Thorndike Parking Lot

 CMP connected the power and MAC electric tested and turned on the parking lot lighting.

 The remaining pavement patches were completed.

 Working with the contractor on a plan to control overnight parking to allow the repainting of the parking lines.

38 Summer Street

 Installation of the new 42” culvert and backfill is completed, site restoration is expected to be completed by weekend.

Summer Street Sewer Replacement

 Began preparing the trench areas for paving.

 Sent information to George Hall & Sons for an estimate on a possible change order for sidewalk reconstruction and paving overlay of the entire street.

Winter Street

 The new storm water pipeline and the new water main have been completed from Park Drive to the entrance of the municipal parking lot, there are three basins remaining to be installed and work will be completed to this point.

 Flushing and testing of the new water main for Maine Water is beginning.

 Paving of the intersection of Winter Street and Park Drive is scheduled for next week.

Rockland Harbor Trail

 Farley & Son has mobilized and setup erosion control.

 OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF

In addition to the general response to 43 Fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred:

Notable:

 On Saturday night the “phantom” problem” with our 2012 Ambulance presented itself once again. This time it was kept in the same “reduced power” condition until Sunday when a Ford Technician could assess it on their computer, apparently with no success. We are awaiting Fords’ plan to remedy the situation as it again brings into serious question the reliability of this truck for emergency service.

 The truck into the harbor, Wednesday, at Knights Marine was kept to a very small spill with very little exposure to the rest of the harbor due to the narrow spot it occurred and the deployment of absorbent booms.

Training:

 On Sunday our personnel assisted the Knox County Fire Academy with live fire evolutions at the Rockland FD landfill training trailers. This was the final step for 12 students in their Firefighter 1&2 program. RFD will have two new FF 2 certified call division personnel upon testing this coming weekend.

 Our Wednesday training was one of our mandatory drills covering Hazardous Materials responses. We’re mandated to provide at least 8 hours of continuing training in this discipline. Personnel covered damming and diking petroleum spills, using the North American Emergency Guidebook and decontaminating civilians and personnel exposed to hazardous substances.

Inspections:

 Inspected two businesses and conducted two follow-ups in multi-unit apartment buildings for Life Safety Code compliance.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR

 Spring clean-up.

 Trash pick-up City-wide.

 Cold patching roads.

 Planted oak tree at Oak Street parking lot.

 Cleaned up park behind Thorndike, mowed grassy area.

 Mowed City-owned properties lawns.

 Hauled fill at transfer station.

 Attended trade show.

 Watered flower baskets.

 Repaired fence on Cedar Street.

 West Meadow Road window repair.

 Picked up bike racks.

 Straightened flags on Main Street.

 Repaired cracks in cap with clay and loam and seeded.

 Repaired behind cardboard building.

 Truck 15 brakes repaired.

 Western Star axle sealed.

 Track work on Dozer.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR

 The buoy line and swim float have been put in place at JMP. The awning will go up next week and we will start getting the building ready for Summer Day Camp.

 I am working with the Prison in Warren to fabricate dog waste receptacles to be placed around the City.

 The bike racks for Main Street are in and will be installed soon by Public Services.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

 Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class featured Hummingbirds & Rhododendron, this week, and Children’s class this week drew Visits to the Seashore!

 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.

 LEGO Club’s theme for the week was “farms”; this club has been fairly boy- centric, so it was especially nice to see a gaggle of girls participating, too, this week.

 Shelving signage is done! Thank you to Keith Drago for a terrific job on this project.

It’s so much easier for the public (and staff) to locate items.

 Patty King attended the Department Heads’ meeting in my stead.

 Jessie Blanchard and Keith created special signage for Summer Reading (Adult and Teen); Jessie also began posting heroes and heroines throughout the Library—do look for these interesting and informative posters. Can you tell the themes for the Summer Reading Program is heroes?

 Judith Andersen was guest reader for Wednesday Storytime once again. Miss Judy read books with a frog theme: Frogs by Nic Bishop, This Icky Sticky Frog by Salina Yoon, and All about Frogs by Jim Arnosky, and Ten Frogs by Quentin Blake.

 I met with the representative of an organization to which the Friends can apply for a grant, and will be meeting with the Friends about this project.

 I attended Agenda Setting and the Preliminary Budget Adoption meetings of Council.

 Responding to an invitation from The Apprenticeshop, Patty and I viewed and selected a few of the books being removed from the Atlantic Challenge collection. This was a joint project of the Library and the Atlantic Challenge some years ago, and they have consolidated their collection, and are divesting of the rest.

 Jean Young made the weekly trip to North Haven Community School Library.

The Thursday Evening Arts and Cultural Event was a Gardening Talk: Gardening in Tune with Nature, led by authors Reeser Manley & Marjorie Peronto, which focused on the major themes of their book, The New England Gardener’s Year.

They presented the practical aspects of gardening covered in the book, including pruning, composting, and cover.

 I attended the annual Public Library Directors’ Institute, which this year had a theme of Innovation, Outreach, and Partnerships: Ways to Make Your Library Discoverable!

 Saturday, the Children’s Room hosted Fresh Flower Fairy Gardens, with Laurie the Flower Goddess. This was part of The Arts... for Kids and Their Families series.

 Also on Saturday, Keith presented, iPad Basics, back by Popular Demand!: an introductory course on how to use an iPad. Participants learned about the basic controls, navigation, and settings of the iPad.

 Upcoming events — Friends’ one-day Book, Bake, and Botanicals sale is the weekend of June 13th, and College Admissions Talk: How to Create a College List Learn how to begin searching for colleges, how to use online tools and resources effectively, and how to interpret admission and financial aid statistics in order to produce a list of affordable options with Caitlin Snow Clark. Families of future juniors and seniors will find this the most beneficial.

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR

 Issued one user permit.

 Submitted billing to the Finance Department for metered electric.

 The first landing of herring for the season was on Thursday.

 Bait dealer has started salting bait.

 An estimated 500,000 pounds of herring was offloaded on Thursday and Friday.

 Conducted routine maintenance and identified parking issues to be corrected as the pier gets busier and busier.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE

Officers responded to 251 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to 8 motor vehicle crashes and 5 animal complaints. 48 traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. Twenty-one (21) parking violations were issued. Officers charged or made arrests of 23 individuals for various offenses, to include Warrants of Arrest, Bail violations, Traffic offenses, Alcohol violations, DV Assault, Drug offenses and Operating under the Influence.

 D/C Young attended training hosted by the Maine Municipal Association on Personnel Practices.

 Department members provided consultation to Camden P.D. regarding best practices for designing, maintaining and chain of custody for an Evidence Room.

 Chief Boucher and D/C Young attended the Maine Chiefs of Police Conference.

 Sgt. Finnegan taught an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) class. Thirteen Police officers from as far away as Portland attended this course.

 Sgt. Smith attended Accident Reconstruction Training (2 days).

 Det/Sgt. Thompson and Det. Neal conducted annual firearms training for all department members.

 C.I.D. closed two investigations. One was determined to be unfounded and in the second investigation it was decided by the District Attorney’s Office that they would not seek prosecution.

 Officers Smith, Redmun, Gaylor and T/O Peasley ran the 3.25 mile leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics to raise awareness of the goal and ideals of Special Olympics. The Special Olympic summer games will occur this weekend at the University of Maine Track in Orono.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER

 Had one of those late spring storms that hit us when we aren't quite set for summer, but there wasn't much in the way of damage, just a few small boats washing around the harbor.

 Had our first visit from one of our small cruise ships, the Independence came on Wednesday evening, and the Captain and guests were thrilled with the new ramp.

 We held our ribbon cutting for the new gangway, and I was pleased at the number of people that came, it was a good event.

 Inspected five of the city's rental moorings and got them ready for the summer season.

 Installed some of the piping under the public landing for our holding tank pump-out station. When done, it will be just a bit better than it has been, but the easier it operates the better.

 The new operator of the Pearl docks is planning on getting the floats out of the parking lot today and setting them up for summer.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

 John attended the City Council Agenda Setting meeting 6/1/15.

 John met with the owner of 7 Marks Lane which is in a Residential-B Zone to discuss a Home Occupation Application. The homeowner will have a room in their home dedicated as an engraving shop. John approved this application as a Level 2 Home Occupation.

 John issued another Home Occupation Level 2 Permit for a studio/gallery at 6 Cottage Street which is in a TB-1 Zone. The studio/gallery will show artwork to select visitors, people must knock or call to enter the gallery.

 John met with the owner of 22 Thompson Meadow Road to discuss plans for that property which is within two different zones, RR-1 and RR-2. The property also has many environmental constraints.

 License inspections were done at In Good Company, the Berry Manor Inn, the Myrtle Street Tavern and The Pearl.

 The Code Office received a Pre-Application Meeting Request from Winter Street, LLC to construct a 40,000 sq. ft. 5-story building at 12 Winter Street. The proposed use of the building will be for Art Management/Gallery. The Planning Board will review the Pre-App Site Plan meeting in July.

 There were two complaints filed this week.

 The following permits were received by the Code Office this week:

12 Building permits

4 Electrical permits

2 Plumbing permits

1 Home Occupation Level 2 permit

1 Sewer Connection Permit

3 Sidewalk Display permits

1 Sidewalk Encumbrance permit

3 Sidewalk Tables & Chairs permits

5 Sign permits

1 Street Excavation permit