Mon, 05/24/2021 - 8:15am

William Post, Rockport Town Manager

Rockport Town Manager Bill Post’s last meeting will be May 24.

ROCKPORT — In advance of the May 24 regularly schedule Select Board meeting, Town Manager William post circulate the following report:

Partners for World Health Event

I have authorized the use of the former RES site for use by Partners for World Health to host a medical supply drop off day in Rockport on a Saturday in (either June 12, 19 or 26). They will bring a truck for all the items that are donated and ensure whatever was donated is not left behind when they depart. They anticipate that the event will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it will be staffed with volunteers. Partners for World Health will do all the advertisementand outreach.

Rockport Select Board members will convene via Zoom May 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting can be watched here: ttps://livestream.com/Rockportmaine

The agenda includes:

Action Items
a. Act on Authorization for Donor-Funded Library Landscaping Project

(From the Manager’s notes: “As part of the Library landscaping contract, the stream side of the library was to be planted in a terraced manner. However, once the construction of the building was complete and the landscaping contractor started on the stream side, it became apparent that the landscape plan as drawn was not feasible because of the severe slope. I approved changes that essentially led to stabilizing the slope with boulder walls, filter fabric, extra drainage and stone riprap as the weather was turning to winter.

“A donor has come forward to provide funding to address the landscaping at the library on the stream side. The Board will be asked to authorize design and engineering work for the project with funding from the donor. Doug Cole and Bill Leone will attend the meeting to provide an overview of this project.”

VII. Discussion Items
a. Discuss Town Manager’s Transition Document

Select Board Liaison Reports
Adjourn

They are expecting donations of crutches, wheelchairs, walkers and shower chairs or other types of equipment. They will be receiving a permit from the Code Office. I coordinated this with the Shotwell Drive-in so that there is no conflict.

Municipal Revenue Sharing/State’s Supplemental Budget

There are several positive items from Augusta regarding funding for municipalities and schools because of the state’s surplus revenue. The Governor’s supplemental budget includes increased funding for education, actually bringing the state’s share of education funding to 55%. This is a huge investment and should decrease the amount needed from property taxes – although the Town has no control over that budget.

If approved by the Legislature, the achievement would come more. than fifteen years after Maine voters first passed a referendum directing State government to pay 55% of local school costs.

In addition, the supplemental budget proposes an increase in municipal revenue sharing from the current 3.75% to 4.5% for FY22 and 5.0% for FY23. What this means for Rockport is an increase in revenue sharing from the budgeted amount for FY22 of $308,000 to $465,000, an increase of $157,000.

If approved by the Legislature, I would expect that the tax rate that will be set in August, would at worst stay the same, and most likely decrease.

Ed MacDonald Safety Enhancement Grant Program

The MMA Workers Compensation Fund notified the Town that our grant request has been approved. This grant is to be used exclusively for purchasing four jackets (Turnout Gear) for the Fire Department. It is important to keep their equipment looking good and to stay on a 10-year rotating equipment schedule. The grant will cover two-thirds of the cost up to, but not exceeding $2,000.

Years of Service

Congratulations to the following employees for years of service:

Laura Poole, Technical Services and Cataloging Librarian – 5 years
Keith Drago, Deputy Library Director – 5 years
Linda Greenlaw, Town Clerk – 25 years
Diane Hamilton, Executive Assistant – 5 years

Route 1 Wastewater Line Extension Project

I am pleased to announce that the Town is receiving $50,000 loan forgiveness for this project from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Finance Director Megan Brackett completed the application for this program with Woodard & Curran’s assistance and the Town was notified of this award on May 17. Thank you, Megan.

COVID-19

As I am sure most everyone knows, the states and CDC’s requirements and guidelines for face coverings, social distancing and attendance at meetings and events changed substantially recently. These changes go into effect on May 24.

I will be updating the Town’s COVID-19 protocols by May 21 and will provide more details in announcements at that time.

Debra Hall, Jeff Hamilton, and Town Manager’s last meeting

The May 24 Select Board meeting is my last at the Town Manager of Rockport and it is the last meeting for Select Board members Debra Hall and Jeff Hamilton.

I thank both Debra and Jeff for their service to the community as it is often a time-consuming, thankless position. I also thank Mark Kelley, Michelle Hannan, Denise Munger and Doug Cole for their support during my tenure..

I also thank the Rockport Town employees. Without the employees’ dedication, my work would have been much more difficult. I hope that the residents and Board and Committee members of Rockport understand, appreciate, and value the work done by these people. They are an extremely dedicated group and often their work goes unnoticed while the boards and committees get a great deal of credit. Nothing would be accomplished without these dedicated people.

I especially thank Mike Young, Megan Brackett, Abbie Leonard, Randy Gagne, Jim Moore, Scott Bickford, Ben Blackmon, Jason Peasley, Kerry Leichtman and Diane Hamilton for working so well with me to make Rockport a better place. I wish you all the best.