Facilities

Cover a Lot of Ground

MMA facilities director, Adam Potter, gathered his crew for a Q&A session that provides insight on what it takes to keep the MMA lights, power and heat on, and so much more.

What is the scope of your work?

The best way to cover the scope is a list: We manage facilities, the physical plant, heating plants, infrastructure, parking and utilities.

We oversee the maintenance and construction of residential, dining, landscape, parking, office, classroom, research and waterfront areas.

Additionally, Facilities manages mail services, shipping and receiving, fleet services, fire and building code enforcement, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, elevator systems, building automation, and emergency backup systems. We work with the Castine Fire & Rescue Department, and serve on the town Elm Tree Committee and local water and sewer boards. We also work with state and federal agencies and ensure regulation compliance.

What are some of the numbers involved?

We manage approximately 40 buildings, from the field house to a residential garage, with a total of 600,000 gross square footage and 240 acres, between Castine and the college’s Penobscot property.

What size is the staff?

41 members

What trades are represented?

We have a versatile group. Trades and responsibilities include: Custodial, roads and grounds, shipping/receiving, postal clerk, SDS management, environmental health and safety, electricians, plumbers, boiler techs, fire alarm system techs, locksmithing, fleet vehicle and athletic field maintenance, planning of new construction and remodeling of existing structures, furniture movers, managing service contractors.

Longest serving staff member?

Carlton Hooper, 40 years (hired in 1978)

How have things changed since Hooper came aboard?

Can’t drink or smoke at work; dorms aren’t totaled at the end of the school year; the Galley is in a different building (used to be in BIW, called Baron Castine hall in 70s); everyone used to get a turkey at the holidays; never had snow days; Safety had Cushmans; campus size has grown; no more galley trays to use as sleds; there were only two female students in ’78; Mug-month was longer; there were frats with houses in front of Curtis (built by the frats); no computers or walkies, only pagers; employees brought their own tools to work, everyone wore a uniform, no artificial turf and the school had a rifle range and bowling alley.█

Photo: Billy Sims

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