Town Manager’s Office:

• On Friday, Sept. 14, we published a list on the Town’s website (camdenmaine.gov) of all the properties and property owners who have yet to schedule plumbing inspections with the Wastewater Department to determine if they have an illegal connection, allowing fresh water from floor drains, sump pumps, perimeter drains, etc. to enter the Town’s sanitary sewer system.  

Removing sources of fresh water from the Town’s sanitary sewer system is a major priority for the Town.  We have received notices of violation from the Maine DEP due to sanitary sewer overflows that are caused by our pump stations being unable to handle the amount of fresh water they receive during rain events and overflowing into the environment, eventually washing into Camden Harbor.  Removing sources of fresh water that are entering our sewer system from private homes may be the most significant action Camden can take to improve the water quality of our Harbor.   

We ask that if your name is on this list you please contact our Wastewater Superintendent, David Bolstridge, as soon as possible to schedule a plumbing inspection.  In the event the Town does find an illegal connection we will work with you to find the most practical and cost effective solution.  We can also provide financial assistance to qualifying residents for removing illegal connections.

• MDOT informed me that the bids for the construction of the Route 1 South Sidewalk from Quarry Hill to Maritime Farms/Concord Trailways Bus Station came in at $830,000 as the lowest bid from a local contractor.  The total budget for this project was $453,000 and over $100,000 of this has already been spent on design and right of way work.  In August MDOT estimated that construction was likely to cost $522,000.  Because the lowest construction bid is $477,000 over what was originally budgeted for this project MDOT has determined this project will be put on hold.  

MDOT has asked the Town consider a number of options in regards to the three pedestrian projects we currently have funded including:

• • Route 1 South
  • Route 105 
  • Downtown

They would like the Town to consider:

1 - delaying one or more of these projects so the funding can be allocated to another project and reallocating funding to a delayed project in the future;

2- bidding out two or all the projects together in hopes of creating an economy of scale and getting better prices back from contractors. 

The potential drawback with the first option is that it could take a long time for funding to be reallocated in the future and the drawback with the second option is that it would entail a great deal of construction happening during a condensed period of time (more than likely during the high season) in Town.  I will discuss these options with the Select Board at their September 18 meeting.

• The Personnel Board had their first meeting since Stephen Melchiskey resigned as chair after serving on the Board for over 20 years.  Steve was keenly missed at our first meeting without him.  

The Personnel Board was very productive; they elected Don White as their new chair, updated the job descriptions and classifications of 4 positions (3 in the Harbor Department and 1 in the Opera House) and reviewed proposed amendments to the personnel policy.  Recommendations from the Personnel Board will go before the Select Board on October 2 and 16.

Planning/Codes & Development

Zoning Amendments:

Two proposed zoning ordinance amendments have made their way through the Planning and Select  Board’s public hearing processes and are heading to voters this November.   

One proposed amendment will allow the adaptive reuse of the of the May Taylor Building at the Middle School property by allowing commercial uses in the B-4 zone to be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals as special exceptions. 

The other zoning amendment reduces the number of off-street parking spaces required for residential uses in downtown zoning  districts (B-1, B-TR, and B-TH, reduces off-street parking requirements for congregate living facilities and housing for the elderly.  Other minor parking changes are proposed as well as housekeeping changes.  

Camden Snow Bowl
Bids are being solicited for the erosion control and maintenance work proposed for the Snowbowl.   Planning and Development Director Jeremy Martin, Parks and Rec Director Beth Ward along with consulting engineer Jeff Senders on site on Friday September 14, with prospective bidders.  Bids are due by Friday September 21. 

Tannery
The USEPA has approved the final Brownfields Cleanup grant RFQ which will be issued the week of September 17.   Depending on conditions with fill material the town may be bringing material to the site within the next week.   This material may be used in the cleanup plan and will provide cost share benefits to the town. 

Historic Resources
The Historic Resources Committee is drafting ordinances to protect the town’s historic resources.   At the present time they are finalizing a demolition delay ordinance that will likely be brought to voters in June.  

Other
The Planning and Development Director, Jeremy Martin, continues to provide staffing to the CEDAC, the Design Team , the Historic Resources Committee, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.     

Director Martin will also be attending the Northern New England Planning Conference which is being held at Point Lookout in Northport in October.  

Director Martin also was recently appointed by the Governor to the Maine Technical Building Codes and Standards Board representing the State’s service center communities.    

Code Enforcement Officer and Plumbing Inspector Bill O’Donnell gave his notice with plans to retire in December.    

Police Department
The following reflects statistics from Police Department files from August 4 to September 9, 2018. This list denotes the complaints used for reporting purposes only. 

• 827 Total complaints received during this period
• 20 Responses to 911 hang up / open line 
• 44 Agency Assist calls
• 27 Alarm responses
• 18    Animal complaints; 1 animal noise, 7 animal problems and 10 animal welfare 
• 8 Business/License checks
• 18 Citizen assist calls
• 16 Drug Take Back (use of lobby drop box)
• 18 Found property 
• 3   Hit & Run calls
• 28 Information Complaints
• 8  Intoxicated persons calls
• 4 Litter/Pollution/Public Health
• 12 Nuisance
• 85 Parking problem 
• 14  Traffic accidents with damage calls
• 20 Traffic Complaints
• 106 Property Checks
• 81 Radar details
• 5   Stray animal calls
• 10 Suspicious Person / Circumstance
• 19 Traffic Hazard
• 32 Traffic violations
• 10 Trespassing calls
• 17 Well Being checks

Fire Department

• The house fire at 66 Park Street last week is being investigated by the Fire Marshal's Office. 
• Engine 4 is still at the repair facility having the chasis serviced, brake work completed and warranty paint work on the body completed. 
• Staff are continuing to work on Code Enforcement education. 
• AC Lowe completed an Emergency Vehicle Operators Course Train-the-Trainer over the weekend.
• The Chief is at the National Fire Academy this week for a Fire Inspections program. 
• Firefighters hosted a recruiting event for Cub Scout Pack #200.