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CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
WEEKLY MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor MacLean, Members of the City Council and Department Heads
FROM: Scott Morelli, City Manager
DATE: April 30, 2010
RE: Weekly Memo
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Next Week's City Meetings are available on our Calendar
Below please find an update on recent City activities:
- Last week I reported that glitches in our sewer billing software’s ability to calculate interest had delayed the sewer bills from going out to our customers on time. This week I am happy to report that working with our software vendor, Unifund, these bills will be going out shortly with the correct amount of interest owed (if any). We do not expect any delays for future bills. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.
- Last night the Crematorium Committee met and began discussing the items and findings that they will incorporate into their final report to the Council. This committee will meet again on May 13 to presumably finish with the findings that they will be including and then they will likely meet one more time after that to review the final document before approving it to be sent to Council.
- The City was again in the news for its decision to install a Pellet boiler at our Public Works garage. This past week the Boston Globe ran an article that mentioned Gardiner’s use of this energy efficient technology.
- Last night the Public Works crew began sweeping half of the Arcade parking lot and expect to finish sweeping the other half sometime next week.
- As you know the City Council invested $1,000 into the Merrymeeting Trail and you recently had an update on the trail from Tom Reeves, trail committee chair. He has informed me that his committee just received a $13,500 grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund. Congratulations to Tom and the rest of the committee!
- On the topic of grants, congratulations to Police Chief Jim Toman and members of his department for receiving a $5,940 grant for the 2010 Summer High Visibility Enforcement Campaign from the Bureau of Highway Safety. This grant will provide for dedicated, high visibility enforcement details specifically to address seatbelt violations, speed enforcement and OUI’s beginning in mid-May and ending in late September. The grant has no local match.
- Not to be outdone, the Library recently received a Phase II grant from the Opportunity Hardware Grant program through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This grant will allow for the purchase of two netbooks for the young adult section as well as an Apple iPad, all of which will be connect to the Library’s wireless network. Congratulations to Director Anne Davis, her staff, and their dedicated Board of Trustees.
- At the request of the Gardiner Recycling Committee, the City has purchased 20 composters from the State at the reduced rate of $38.50 each (normally $100 each). Once we receive these composters in mid-May, we will alert the public so that anyone interested can purchase one from the City for this reduced amount. More info TBA.
- The Gardiner Farmers’ Market starts next week on Wednesday, May 5 from 2 – 6 p.m. on the Common. The market runs each Wednesday through October 27 rain or shine and does accept EBT cards. Click here to view their flyer or visit the Farmer’s Market website for more information.
- As you know, Finance Director Sandy Runyon will be leaving staff effective June 30, 2010. The City will miss Sandy’s financial skills and abilities and appreciates how critical he was in repairing the City’s fiscal integrity and implementing proper internal controls. We are lucky to have had Sandy on staff and that he will be around for the next two months to help transition current Assistant Finance Director Denise Brown into her new role as Finance Director, a position to which I will be appointing her effective July 1, 2010. Thank you and good luck Sandy!
- Finally, City staff has been busy preparing the FY11 proposed budget, which you will begin discussion on tomorrow (Sat.) at 8 a.m. in a workshop and then again the following Wednesday and each Wednesday in May. I also look forward to unveiling to you a modest reorganization proposal which will save the City money, make for a more efficient work environment, and ensure financial controls remain in place during the transition in the Finance Department.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of Gardiner as City Manager.
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