ROCKLAND — Rockland said it is taking an innovative new approach to the construction of a key component of the city's long-awaited harbor trail, a pedestrian thruway which will ultimately complete a welcoming tour along Rockland's harbor area. The city is announcing that new staff in Rockland's Public Services Department will handle construction of the Atlantic Street segment of the harbor trail, a vital component of the work that will connect two existing sections, according to a news release from Assistant City Manager Audra Caler-Bell.

“This type of work is typically outsourced to private contractors,” she said, in the release. “But new staff members in the department have the skills and talent to competently handle the construction. The city estimates that employees can perform the work at around a fourth of the cost of outsourcing this part of the job to outside contractors. This also provides an opportunity for the department to exercise these considerable new skills and deliver on a project that has been a priority for residents and the city for decades.”

"This work by the Public Service Department reflects our renewed effort to bring fiscal responsibility and more effective government to Rockland," said City Manager
Jim Chaousis, in the release. "Rather than outsourcing at considerable expense, I'm proud that our own people can do great work for our citizens and save taxpayer money."

Th announcement is a big step forward for an important Rockland project that has been in the works for years, said Caler-Bell. A citizen-led group has been working since 1991 to plan a harbor trail in Rockland spanning from the Breakwater lighthouse in the north to Snow Marine park in the south. The current Harbor Trail Committee has been very proactive in making this vision a reality. "We are committed to making Harbor Trail a reality, foot by foot," said Mayor Louise McLellan-Ruf, Chairman of the Harbor Trail Committee.

“City officials are thrilled that this step to use city employees for this phase of work will save valuable taxpayer dollars,” said Caler-Bell.

As Chaousis said, "We are rolling up our sleeves to change things for the better."