ROCKPORT — As the town’s new town manager, Bill Post, gets under way with work, he has issued his first report, Aug. 22. It follows:

The pad has been completed at the West Rockport Fire Station location.

Opera House Air Conditioner

The a/c unit arrived this week and the contractor will begin installation on Monday August 26th. It may take a couple of days for installation.

Public Safety Building – Main Street

During the severe rain storms August 7 and 8, a leak developed at the Public Safety Building. After investigation, it was determined that the antenna mounts on the roof had weakened over time and created space for rain to enter. The antennas are due to be replaced in the next year or so as the upgrade to digital radio equipment is implemented in the county. Along with Chief Peasley, I decided to get quotes for replacement/upgrade of the antennas so that we will be ready for the radio upgrade. Chief Peasley is in process of obtaining the quotes. This will solve two problems. Funding is in the radio reserve account.

MDOT Projects and Potential Land Swap

Bill Najpauer is setting a meeting with MDOT’s planner to discuss local transportation issues and our ideas for MDOT’s future workplan. We will also initiate a discussion about a potential future land swap. This will be the first mention of any potential land swap to MDOT.

Town Office Sidewalk

Rhino Services will begin the sidewalk reconstruction at the Town Office on Monday August 26. The project is expected to take three weeks and be completed by the September 20 date included in the bid package.

Parking will be limited to the back row furthest from the building. Employees at the Town Office have been directed to park at the Public Safety Building, if possible, to allow for customers to park.

Customers will need top use the front sidewalk from Main Street to enter the building. Signs will be placed directing customers where to walk and handicapped spaces will be marked on the lawn near the front sidewalk. We have issued a press release with this information and included it on the Facebook page and Town website.

Goodridge Park

Public Works spent some time sprucing up the Goodridge Park in the village area. The dead or dying shrubs were removed, the crushed rocks were removed and replaced with loam and then seeded with grass. The cost for the loam was $180 and the three DPW employees spent about one day on the job. Doug Cole, Denise Kennedy-Munger and members of the Parks & Beautification Committee are working on obtaining donated plants for the hillside around the rocks.

Meetings

In the past two weeks, I have met with Nate McLaughlin of Woodard & Curran and been updated on the sewer extension project; met the Library Committee and Investment Committee, received a tour of the roads, parks and some of the cemeteries in Rockport with DPW Director Mike Young, toured the Opera House with Drew Weber, met with Camden Town Manager Audra Caler-Bell and PBMC CEO Mark Fourre.

Vehicle and Equipment Purchases

The front-end loader bids were opened and was awarded to Beauregard Equipment for a Case 621G at a cost of $130,500. This will be paid by four-year lease and is within the budgeted amount. I also signed the lease-purchase agreements with Androscoggin Bank for the F550 with equipment for the DPW .