ROCKLAND — Last week, the Rockland Fire Department responded to a report of fire at the Breakwater Lighthouse. No fire was found. That department has also received new thermal imaging cameras. The harbor master dealt with boats coming into harbor too fast, along with slamming porta pottie doors next to his office window. The Police Department received 288 calls, and the Polliwog family program finished this week.

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 12th. Trying to get final numbers into Munis Software.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

 The Library has addressed all the issues found by the Department of Labor representative, Tammy Gross.

 Catinka Knoth’s Children’s art class this week drew classic Maine scenes; Adults worked on “Rosa Rugosa - Beach Roses by Marshall Point Light.”

 The Summer Breakfast and Lunch programs continue.

 Keith Drago has updated all the public PCs; this will be an ongoing project.

 Keith hosted the Monday evening Drop-in Tech Help.

 Also on Monday evening, the Library hosted My Money Works, co-sponsored with women, Work & Community, a four-week series.

 Tuesday afternoon was every-other-Tuesday Lego Club; this week’s theme—Sea Creatures and Lobster LEGOs.

 On Tuesday evening, the Library hosted an Author Talk. Jon Keller discussed his highly acclaimed debut novel, Of Sea and Cloud which was inspired by years of experience working in the secluded lobstering culture of rural Maine.

 The Polliwog Pages writing class finished this week; it was part of The Arts...series.

The mother of one of the participants told Jean Young that this was the very best of the many programs the family has attended; it has inspired her daughter to become a writer.

 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.

 Patty King attended a Sweetser (free) Training Workshop, an all-day practicum on Mental Health First Aid; while it’s not something we face every day, her take-away should be very useful here when Patty shares it with staff.

 Well, Judith Andersen was here to lead Wednesday Storytime, however no littles showed up. We’re not sure if they are at the Festival, or just avoiding downtown Rockland as we know many do.

 Rachel Nixon presented Children’s Yoga class, for kids and parents; this will continue on Thursdays through the end of August. Also part of The Arts... programming.

 The Beginning Ukuleles Class has finished; however, we will be making the instruments available for borrowing very soon, and have hopes of a ukulele club.

 There was no Storytime at the Farmers’ Market this week, nor the next, due to the Lobster Festival, and the Boats, Homes, and Harbors event, respectively.

 I participated in the City/Downtown Merchants Thursday afternoon shift in the Food Tent of the Maine Lobster Festival.

 The Thursday Evening Arts and Cultural Event was a Collaborative Performance Artist Robert Shetterly & Jazz Composer Mary Anne Driscoll. Artist Robert Shetterly’s Americans Who Tell the Truth portraits and narratives highlight citizens who courageously address issues of social, environmental, and economic fairness. There are more than 180 portraits in the non-partisan, AWTT series. The performance is a collaboration between Shetterly & the jazz composer singer Mary Anne Driscoll from Belfast.

 Patty was one of the presenters of WRFR’s Love My Radio show, where staff from area libraries share upcoming events and programs, in a lively format.

 On Saturday, Keith hosted Teen Summer Art Series: Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk. Young Adults ages 12-17 were invited to join library staff in making their own sidewalk chalk. The materials are provided and the chalk will be used in a follow-up program on the 15th decorating the sidewalk circle in front of the Library.

 Keith also hosted E-Books for Tablets in the afternoon. Did you know you could download free eBooks from the Rockland Public Library on your iPad, Android tablet, or smartphone? Participants were able to learn how by coming to our eBooks on Tablets class. Those bringing their tablet were able to download a new book that day.

 Upcoming: Picnic on the Lawn with African Drumming & More--bring your dinner, a blanket and listen to the West African drumming sounds of Jordan Benissan, a native of Togo, West Africa, is currently teaching at Colby College. Also-- 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 288 calls for service. Rockland Police Officers responded to 7 motor vehicle crashes and 8 animal complaints. 32 traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted. Officers charged or made arrests of 22 individuals for various offenses, to include Warrants of Arrest, Bail violations, Alcohol violations, Probation Violations, Obstruction of Government Administration, Disorderly Conduct, Domestic Assault, Criminal Threading, Trespassing, Assault and Operating under the Influence.

 We were very busy with public safety concerning the Maine Lobster Festival this past week.

 We are planning public safety concerning Maine Boats, Harbor and Home show over the next two weeks.

 Harbor Patrol is working with the Harbormaster’s Office, and US Navy in Marine Domain Awareness of the Harbor during the USS Tortuga port visit.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER

 It's the Lobster Festival and all the hullabaloo that implies. Navy vessel tours and slamming porta-pottie doors. Boats coming and going, and boats going too fast.

Questions on parking and access, and even a few normal cruisers stopping in.

Add hot weather, a few emergencies and it makes for a busy week.

 The number and size of the boats coming into Rockland the last few weeks has been astounding. Large traditionally rigged vessels like the Picton Castle, the Lynx and the Columbia, as well as expensive yachts are augmenting our usual crowd of smaller cruising boats.

 The half-rebuilt windjammer, Ladona is in her berth at the Lermond's Cove windjammer wharf, and they'll be working to get her ready for next summer's sailing season.

 The US Navy's LSD 46 – the USS Tortuga is here, and rumor has it that she's taking a victory lap around the east coast before she's finally laid-up and decommissioned. Of course, another rumor is that she's going into the shipyard for four years for a total rebuilding.

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF

Over the past week, in addition to the general response to 57 Fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred: 

We received our new Thermal Imaging Cameras on Friday and will be conducting in-service training with them over the next two week before putting them on apparatus.

 On Monday we had an instructor from Maine EMS conduct a training class on Pharmacology as part of the EMS continuing education requirements.

 Squad 3 went to Vasselboro on Monday for a repair issue, and was swapped out with Engine 1 for its pump certification test on Tuesday.

 Met with PD and the Parade Marshal to finalize details of the Lobster Festival Parade.

 Conducted a final inspection along with CEO Root at the 220 Camden St. Condos. We also reviewed a renovated apartment for a Certificate of Occupancy.

 Researched a commercial wood pellet boiler and storage issue on Main St. to find solutions to potential issues, mainly surrounding the storage of 12 tons of wood pellets. This is a heating field advancement that is outpacing Codes and guidance available to us. A solution is well in hand utilizing the sprinkler contractor, the installer, and guidance from one of the State Oil and Solid Fuels Board inspectors.

 I spoke to the Ford Technical Expert who flew in to go over Rescue 3 in Brunswick; he tells me he’ll have a plan of action to begin diagnosing and correcting the problem.

 We picked up a loaner ambulance to have through the Festival week from our ambulance dealer.

 Engine 2 was swapped with Engine 1 in Vasselboro for its pump certification and had an air leak issue requiring correction. Thursday the repair and certification test was completed and it returned. Now all our pumpers have been successfully serviced and certified.

 Assisted the State Fire Marshal’s inspectors as they reviewed the rides for the MLF.

This was the third or fourth time these specific rides have been inspected this year.

In the past once a ride had been inspected once in Maine, it was good for the season. This additional review was done at the request of the MLF President through us.

 Wednesday morning I began publishing the daily Incident Action Plan for the Lobster Festival, to ensure all key players are up to date with contacts, weather and hazards.

 Wednesday evening our personnel drilled on fire pump operations.

 Wednesday afternoon presented us with a first: we responded to the Breakwater Lighthouse for a fire alarm. Thankfully we could hitch a ride on the Police Boat cutting the response time significantly. We determined that key access to the Lighthouse was not readily available to us, but thankfully in the end, there was no fire or other hazards, so forcing entry was not necessary.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR

 All ten trees have been planted around the city. Thank you to Public Services and Casella.

 The parks are cleaned up and ready for the parade. The Rec Department and Public services did a great job of getting these parks back to looking good. They had become very overgrown.

 The Rec staff met with Troy Curtis Wednesday to look at possible employment with the YMCA.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR

 Watered flowers.

 Summer Street sidewalk.

 Picked up trash City-wide.

 Swept streets.

 Prepped for hot top on Summer Street.

 Prepped tree planting areas for Rec Department.

 Roadside mowing.

 Sign repair.

 Removed stones from Manning Brook.

 Finished Summer Street hot top.