In Rockland, during the past two weeks, the acting city manager listened to nonprofits in regards to the housing issues in the area. A cable television franchise is seeking customers in the area. Plans are in the works for the upcoming Lindsey Brook bridge project. The code enforcement office met with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection and others regarding a dredging project. Officers responded to 198 calls.

Read the entire Rockland City Manager’s bi-weekly report below.

OFFICE OF THE ACTING CITY MANAGER/COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

 The Department Heads met with Mary Costigan from Bernstein Shur. Mary, who is the former in-house City Attorney for Portland, will be Rockland’s point person. We discussed the process City Administration will use to seek legal counsel, which is very similar to the Town of York (I sent a copy of this policy to the Council in early October).

 A major focus of the last two weeks has been human resources related projects, particularly getting a program in place for staff to complete all mandatory training, updating all safety related training, policies and procedures and getting a framework in place for annual staff performance planning and reviews.

 REDAC had their monthly meeting last week. There has been a lot of discussion regarding the need to reach out to housing developers to determine if there is potential interest in doing targeted projects to address shortages in workforce housing. To this end REDAC is planning to organize and host a forum with housing developers, which will most likely take place early next calendar year.

 I’ve had a number of informal conversations with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Knox County Homeless Coalition & Hospitality House and Broadreach Family and Community Services who all see an urgent need for emergency and transitional housing for families and elderly Knox County residents. While this is a regional issue Rockland can certainly help to begin facilitating this conversation.

 I received a cable television franchise agreement from Lincolnville Communications Inc. Lincolnville Communications is committed to providing this service to customers in Rockland regardless of whether the City chooses to sign a franchise agreement.

However, the Council may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages to entering into this agreement. Lincolnville Communications has offered to present to the City Council at your convenience. In the meantime I have sent a copy of this agreement to Bernstein Shur for preliminary review.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR

 Competed plantings for Parks and Recreation committee

 Continued Support of installation of Salt and Sand Shed:

Continued oversight and inspection

Worked with contractor to install loading ramp

 Mechanics continue preparing for snow removal

 Mechanics addressed engine issue with DPS Ford Van

 DPS took possession of out of service cruiser from PD. Mechanics performed several repairs and lettered vehicle to match with DPS

 Removal of trash from city receptacles

 City wide sweeping

 Citywide Sign repair

 Crews continue City wide autumn leaf and Brush removal

 Transfer Station bulldozer tracks and final drive cleaned of debris

 Addressed issues with cracksealer machine, changed from back of truck body to single use trailer

 Pumps re started at transfer station after rain event

 Process to address damage to granite bollard on Glovers Passage begun

 Continued to work with area contractors and utilities in bringing them up to speed on the new street opening permit

 Loaned RSU 13 traffic control devices

 Continued dealings with MDOT to receive current inspection report for Thompson’s Meadow Bridge

 Addressed total failure of catch basin at corner of School and Main

 Met with crew from Gartley and Dorsky and Prock Marine to establish grade and control for upcoming Lindsey Brook bridge project

 Ordered pipe and made preparations for Crooker, INC to arrive next week to begin work on “S curve” area of Old County Road

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

 I met with two members of the Library Advisory Committee; though there were not enough for an actual meeting, we did have some lively discussion.

 As has been our tradition, we had plenty of candy on hand for trick-or-treaters, or, really, any visitors, on Halloween. Staff wore light costumes, all of which had some repurposed books as partof the gear.

 I attended a meeting at City Hall, to meet the City’s new legal counsel, Mary Costigan from Bernstein Shur.

 City HR Consultant Laurie Bouchard returned the final versions of the Library position descriptions.

 Catinka Knoth’s Adult Drawing class had the theme of Halloween pumpkins, while the participants of her Children’s class drew deer.

 I’ve completed, and will be submitting, a grant application, for the Office for a Day project.

 Also on Wednesday, this season’s second Family PlaceTM Library Parent-Child Workshops took place. This series is for families with children ages 0 to 3. The Parent-Child Workshops (caregiversare welcome, too) run for five consecutive Wednesdays and features toys, crafts, books and play.

The guests this week were Friends’ member Marilyn Trask, and Family Counselor and author, Judith Orne Hatch. Attendees are largely new to the library, and history shows they quickly become regular members.

 While Family PlaceTM was happening in the Community Room, guest reader Judith Andersen had a large and happy crowd of various ages and all wanted her to read Mo Willems. Several even recited, along with her the lines of The Pigeon Needs a Bath!, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, and Knuffle Bunny Too as well as some books by other authors. The craft for this event (as well as for Family Place Playtime) was homemade playdough put into sandwich bags with a squirt of washable coloring. As the children squeezed the bags the colors flowed and made lovely designs, which they took home; the playdough will last several weeks.

 This was a week for LEGOTM Club, held on alternating Thursdays; this week’s theme was “Let's build an army”. Thank you, LEGOTM Master, Jon Newton!

 The Thursday evening Arts & Cultural Event was Tom Jamrog, Triple Crown Hiker (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail), who gave an illustrated talk about his June 2016 hike of the coastal Portugal Camino, a lesser known pilgrimage route. Tom’s 250 mile hike started in Porto, Portugal and ended on the Atlantic Ocean in Finisterre, Spain.

 Also on Thursday evening, Patty King trained new on-call part-time staffer, Kim Slocomb, who, due to her experience in Rockport, needed only to be brought up to speed on our policies and procedures.

 Friday was a Midcoast Leadership Academy Program Day for me; this month’s topic is Local Government, and the City’s own Valli Geiger was one of the presenters.

 On Saturday, the Hampstead Stage Company presented The Prince and the Pauper. Mark Twain's tale shows how “the grass isn't always greener on the other side.” In this comedic tale, Prince Edward Tudor lives a life of luxury with servants to grant his every wish while Tom Canty spends his days begging on the streets of London. A simple switch of clothing sets them on a path they'd never dreamt possible. The Prince, mistaken for Tom, is forced to live a pauper's life, while Tom unwillingly takes on the life of a prince.

 Upcoming: Save the Date! Saturday, November 26 is the annual Tree Auction & Holiday House Tour. The Friends of Rockland Public Library will hold their annual Tree Auction. Tabletop decorated trees will be “silent auctioned” off in conjunction with The Historic Inns of Rockland Holiday Tour. During the tour, people can visit the inns in the neighborhood of the library. All proceeds from the Tour and Tree Auction will go directly to support the Library! Tickets for the tour will be on sale the day of the event at the Historic Inns (LimeRock, Berry Manor and Granite Inn). $10/person. Children 12 and under, no charge.

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF

D/C Young –

 Completed a 7 week Executive Development Course at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.

 Attended the annual International Association of Chief of Police conference.

 Attended a Criminal Justice Committee meeting of the Knox County Recovery Coalition.

 Attended a staff meeting at Mid-Coast School of Technology to discuss safety and active shooter response.

 Continues to work on updating the City Safety Manual.

 Started the process of completing the final modules of academy mandated training for all department personnel.

Criminal Investigations Division –

 Continued working on active criminal investigations.

 Completed annual firearms training.

 Completed the first stage of restructuring the evidence storage room.

Patrol Division –

 Officers Cox and Schmitz attended a week long Crisis Intervention training.

 Officer Shirey completed Intoxilyzer Instructor training.

 Officer Shirey completed Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor training.

 Assisted Probation & Parole with the arrest and transport of two subjects who violated their probation conditions to jail.

 Conducted compliance checks at establishments in Rockland that serve alcohol. No violations were found.

 Conducted probation compliance checks of Rockland residence that are currently on probation to make sure they were complying with the conditions of their probation.

 Officers conducted targeted traffic enforcement on posted roads to make sure overweight vehicles were not using them.

 While conducting overnight building checks, Officers located an open window at the high school and secured it.

 Officers conducted school visits at all schools in Rockland. The purpose of these visits is to interact with students and staff and to address any problems or concerns.

 Officers responded to 198 calls for service, investigated 7 traffic accidents and conducted 20 traffic stops. As a result 19 people were either summonsed or arrested for various violations.

OFFICE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

 Since our last Code Office report (Sept. 9, 2016), we have begun sending out letters and applications to owners of Short-Term Rentals. We are requesting that if the owners are local, they meet with John to discuss requirements and restrictions as well as design a site plan if Planning Board review is required. If owners are out-of-state, we will provide the same information via telephone. We have received five applications for Short-Term Rentals thus far.

 On October 11th, John attended a meeting of the Planning Board, where they approved the site plan for a daycare home occupation at 98 Pleasant Street for Melissa Byer.

 Bill attended two meetings of the Comprehensive Planning Commission.

 Bill performed six victualers’ license inspections.

 John performed three pre-conveyance and two post-fire inspections in conjunction with the Fire Department.

 Roxy submitted the quarterly Plumbing Report to the State of Maine with their share of plumbing permit fees.

 John and Bill attended the MBOIA Spring Meadows Conference, Maine State Plumbing Code training, IRC & IBC Essentials training, Planning Day, and two MCEOA meetings. Additionally, Bill attended Local Health Officer training and IEBC Essentials training.

 John attended meetings of the Sprinkler Coalition, City Council, and City Department Heads.

 Bill attended two City Safety Meetings.

 John met with numerous contractors, property, and business owners regarding various proposed projects throughout the city, including meeting with owners of Jameson Point properties regarding what could be done in the shoreland zone with a gazebo.

 Bill met with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection and others regarding a dredging project.

 John spoke to representatives from New Hope for Women regarding zoning for shelters.

 John gave an interview to VSTV regarding short-term rentals.

 Thirty complaints have been filed. We remain very busy investigating and following-up on complaint issues within the city.

 We issued six Certificates of Occupancy. A change of use from a single-family dwelling to an office on Tea Street, a residential addition on Gay Street Place, a change of use for a retail flower &  gift shop at 15 Tillson Avenue, a condo unit on Camden Street, a residential garage on Crescent Street, and Commercial Food Manufacturing at 230 Park Street.

 We issued eight Notices of Violation. Two of which were regarding dangerous and abandoned buildings at 273 Camden Street and 33 North Main Street.

 We continue to be busy with various other permits, inspections, and assisting the public with questions. The following permits were issued by the Code Office:

 28 Building Permits

 16 Electrical Permits

 15 Plumbing Permits

 1 Floodplain Permit

 1 Planning Board Permit

 1 Driveway Permit

 3 Sign Permits

 3 Sidewalk Display Permits

 2 Street/Sidewalk Encumbrance Permits

 5 Sewer Connection Permits

 3 Street Excavation Permits

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR

 Parts for the screw conveyor rebuild project began to arrive this week.

 Weekly inspection and testing of the ten pump stations.

 Cleaned and lubricated the influent bar screen.

 Made repairs to the bandsaw in the maintenance shop.

 Made repairs to the gate at the Tillson Ave. pump station.

 Cleaned and inspected the filters in the #1 aeration blower.

 Trimmed tree branches away from the roof and radio antenna at the Waldo Ave. pump station.

 Worked with Stultz Electric to replace and upgrade the Uninterruptable Power Supply that protects the control panel at the Ocean St. pump station.

 Checked an alarm for power outage at Glenwood Ave. pump station. The pump station had automatically transferred to the backup generator and switched back when C.M.P. had power restored.

 Completed 1700 ft. of CCTV inspection of the sewer main on Payne Avenue.

 Responded to a Dig-Safe request on Trinity St. for Maine Water.

 Smoke tested the sewer system on Camden St. in the vicinity of Bayview Square and Camden St. Terrace to confirm the connection to city sewer of properties in the area.

 Completed 400 ft. of CCTV inspection of the sewer main on Park Street.

 Assisted a contractor trying to locate a sewer lateral on the property at 98 Camden St. to repair a sewer backup.

 Responded to a Dig-Safe request on Park St. for Maine Water.

 Began entering the list of sewer users into the G.I.S.

 Held a Wastewater Bond Issue community information session at Council Chambers.

 Grab samples monitored during this week: Aeration Basins, Municipal Influent, Primary Effluent, Secondary Effluent

 The following tests were performed on the above grab samples throughout the week: 26 TSS tests, 25 VSS tests, 5 Phosphorous tests, 5 Microscopic evaluations, 18 Settleable Solids tests, 18 pH tests, 17 conductivity tests

 BOD & TSS testing for North Haven.

 Lab reports prepared and sent to North Haven.

 CSO event last Friday and probably today (although hasn’t officially started yet).

 Maximum flow through CSO structure was 13.65MG.

 Average flows through secondary treatment were 2.2MGD.