The City spent time last week preparing for the 68th annual Maine Lobster Festival, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday this week. The Fire/EMS department has acquired a loaner ambulance to fill the void of City-owned one still under maintenance. The harbor master has been working with the U.S. Navy to coordinate the arrival of the USS Tortuga, which will be open for tours on Thursday and Friday. In non-Festival news, Det/Sgt. Thompson and Det. Neal have been given extended police authorizations, and the mural on Orient Street is underway. Read the full City Manager’s Report below.

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

 The Library is addressing the issues found by the Department of Labor representative, Tammy Gross. All items except the electrical work have been addressed. I expect to hear back shortly from the electrician—either onsite to do the work, or to update me on a commencement date.

 Technicians from Seacoast Security and Otis Elevator Service combined efforts to perform the required smoke/recall test for the elevator.

 Richard Riegel-Burbank, president of Evergreen Home Performance met here with Public Service’s David Larrabee, to describe the method for removal of insulation from the area above the Quiet Room, so that Resurgence/Casco Bay can perform a hose test. We are hoping this can be done by City staff.

 I met with John Dutcher to learn about the findings of the camera crew which inspected the downspout last week.

 Catinka Knoth’s Children’s art class this week drew marine mammals - harbor seals, whales, porpoises; Adults worked on “Oriental Poppies in a Summer Garden.”

 The Summer Breakfast and Lunch programs continue; more are partaking of lunch than breakfast.

 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 evening brought the Historical Society Talk: Mainely Medicine: Tales from Our Past. It was co-sponsored by the Rockland Historical Society. Dr. Richard Kahn regaled audience members with stories and puns.

 Jessie Blanchard hosted the Teen Graphic Novel Club.

 The Polliwog Pages writing class continued this week; it’s part of The Arts...series.

 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.

 Instead of Wednesday Storytime, this week Children’s Librarian Jean Young hosted, Vermont’s PuppeTree, presenting a new production of Leo Lionni's classic children's book Swimmy. This fully authorized multimedia production blends shadow puppets, animation and projections performed by the PuppeTree's founder Ann Legunn. The companion piece, Swimmer, is an original work inspired by Lionni’s wonderful story, set on a picturesque New England river. A young girl recognizes the threats to her beloved river and learns to organize the people that live along its banks to change their behavior and preserve the magic of the river.

Swimmer boasts an original music score by Patrick Ross, a fifth generation Vermont fiddler and composer.

 Patty King and I met with Morgan Dunton, who is the English Language Arts 6-12  Content Specialist / Midcoast Regional Representative for the Maine Department of Education. Morgan helped to form the Maine State Literacy Team and created the State Literacy Plan. Her responsibilities now include implementing the action items in that plan. Morgan spoke to us about discuss the possible formation of a community literacy team, with the Library convening a group to begin the process. As the Library serves not just students but those of all ages, Morgan thinks the Library would be the natural locus. We’re inclined to agree, though I hope that as the initiative gets off the ground, a community member or members would take a leadership role. We will begin reaching out to prospective partners almost at once, with the idea of the first meeting occurring somewhere between mid- September and mid-October.

 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.

 Beginning Ukulele Class for Everyone continued this week; it, too, is part of The Arts for Kids & their Families at the Rockland Public Library series.

 Storytime at the Rockland Farmers’ Market was hosted this week by former Friends’ President, Mary Gale.

 Library and City staff met with Al Hodson of Resurgence Engineering to review preliminary results of the Engineering study by Resurgence and Casco Bay Engineering, including some repairs which are fairly straightforward, and could be performed by City staff.

 Even the movie aligned with the month-long art theme; the Thursday Evening Arts and Cultural Event, as Alec Guinness transforms himself into one of cinema's most indelible comic figures: the lovably scruffy painter Gulley Jimson, in the film, The Horse’s Mouth.

 On Saturday, Alayna Smith led another Teen Art Class: Colored Pastels. This week was a refresher; Ms. Smith guided exercises in self-expression.

 Upcoming: Author Talk: local author Fran Hodgkins will read her latest book, Secret Galaxy and share her other books. 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 240 calls for service.

 Rockland Police Officers responded to 13 motor vehicle crashes and 5 animal complaints.

 19 traffic stops and traffic violations were conducted.

 52 Parking Violations were cited around the downtown area, 43 Overtime, 7 Permit Only, 1 Handicap Space, 1 Restricted Area.

 Officers charged or made arrests of 30 individuals for various offenses, to include Warrants of Arrest, Bail violations, Traffic offenses, Alcohol violations, Burglary, Theft, Probation Violations, Obstruction of Government Administration, Disorderly Conduct, Drug Offenses, Trespassing, Assault and Operating under the Influence.

 We continued updating the department policy manual. So far 8 policies have been updated and distributed to department personnel for review and placement into the policy manual.

 Have been coordinating with the president of the Lobster Festival while they begin setting up for the event. This has been done to ensure that set up is going smoothly and to establish an open line of communication for the event.

 Coordinated with F.B.I. regarding the special deputation of a detective to the U.S. Marshall’s Service. Det/Sgt. Thompson will be working with the F.B.I’S MOXIE Task Force to investigate and prosecute pharmacy robberies occurring in Rockland at the federal level.

 Coordinated with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to get Det. Neal sworn in as a Deputy in Lincoln County. For the Lincoln County Drug Task Force. Members of this task force work directly with Maine Drug Enforcement as needed during ongoing drug investigations.

 We have continued to coordinate with the Naval Criminal Investigation Service regarding the upcoming arrival of the USS Tortuga during the Lobster Festival.

 Officers assisted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office with locating and arresting a subject under investigation for a sex offense.

 Detectives and Officers arrested a subject who committed a home invasion style burglary earlier in the week.

 Officers arrested a subject who broke into a local business and stole cash during the blues festival.

 Detectives assisted the patrol division in investigating a second, unrelated home invasion style burglary that occurred on 07/21/15. This subject was also identified and arrested.

 Officers have been conducting Bicycle, motorcycle and foot patrols this past week as staffing allows, both days and nights.

 Harbor Patrol is being deployed as staffing allows.

 Radar details are being conducted on Main St. to address downtown merchants concerns regarding speeding vehicles.

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER

 Prock Marine finished installing 9 new pilings at the Middle Pier, and resetting a crooked one at Snow park.

 Had a USCG spot check of our facility security plan and passed without any recommendations.

 We'll have an extra couple of visits from the small cruise ships as they modify their schedules to avoid the Lobster Festival.

 Towed a 38' sailboat to one of our moorings after it had dragged anchor three quarters of the way to the Owl's Head shore.

 The Harbor Commission met and modified my fee order recommendations for submission to the city council.

 Talked to the US Navy's navigator, security officer and the ship's agent for the USS Tortuga's visit to Rockland during the Lobster Festival. The ship will arrive Wednesday morning and depart on the following Monday. Tours are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF

Over the six days, in addition to the general response to 44 Fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred:  Squad 3 returned from Vasselboro with the pump passing with flying colors but the engine brake issue keeping if from service. On Monday it looked as if it would be over a week before it could be corrected, but upon calling our sales/service representative we were able to get it diagnosed and repaired in house and return it to front line duty on Wednesday.

 It appears we will be able to secure a “loaner” ambulance for use during the Lobster Festival from our ambulance vendor as Rescue 3 is still awaiting the technician engineer’s evaluation and corrections.

 Continued to work on our DOL list with 90% or more of the issues corrected or addressed to prevent future problems.

 FF Cole and I met with Dave St. Laurent and John Dutcher to look at scenarios we’ll use to conduct confined space training at the Treatment Plant on September 2nd.

 Made updates the Lobster Festival operations plan.

 Tuesday afternoon we were invited to the Bartlett Woods BBQ and Antique Car Show. B-Shift and one call member attended and were treated to a nice meal of burgers and dogs and an opportunity to converse with staff and residents in a non-emergency setting.

OFFICE OF THE RECREATION DIRECTOR

 The Summer Day Camp is half way through and things are rolling along very well.

 The mural on Orient Street is under way.

 Working with Public Services to get the parks looking good for the Lobster Festival.

OFFICE OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR

 Approved Payroll Warrant

 Approved Accounts Payable Warrant

 Year End Work

 Attended Labor Negotiations with the Teamsters Union

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL FISH PIER DIRECTOR

 The f/v western sea offloaded 280,000 lbs. of herring

 Lobstermen are putting in the rest of their gear. A few shedders are showing up in and around the harbor. Reports are not many lobsters in the harbor yet.

 Lots of shedder lobsters showing up off the islands of Vinalhaven and Matinicus.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DIRECTOR

 David Kalloch is on vacation for two weeks.

 John attended the MBOIA Membership/Training meeting in Augusta 7/23/15. The subject of this month’s training was Modern Fire Dynamics.

 There were five complaints filed this week.

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

 3 Building permits

 1 Driveway permit

 2 Electrical permits

 2 Plumbing permits