ROCKLAND — One of the laws passed, and one of the licenses renewed during the Monday, April 13, Rockland City Council meeting prompted some breath-holding.

The ordinance request allowing a third vendor in Buoy Park was unanimously favored by all members of the council. This allowance effectively jump-starts operations of Malcolm Bedell’s mobile food trailer, ‘Wich Please, in 30 days.

But it was a little dicey at the start, when Mayor Frank Isganitis recused himself from the vote, having bought a couple fundraiser T-shirts to help with Bedell’s campaign. That action was followed by Councilor Louise MacLellan-Ruf’s reclusion, as she, too, had purchased a T-shirt.

Had any of the other councilors purchased T-shirts, the law may not have passed. But it did.

Brass Compass outdoor dining license renewal

Each year, for the past eight years, the Brass Compass Café on Main Street has obtained a seasonal renewal license allowing use of a small portion of Winslow-Holbrook Memorial Park for outdoor dining. This year, two stepped to the podium during public comment, suggesting councilors are disrespecting the war dead, and disregarding the feelings of relatives by renewing the outdoor seating license for the Brass Compass.

Gaye and Roberta Best expressed fears that the general public wouldn’t be allowed to use the park, and that the Brass Compass would encroach upon general access areas.

The Bests are descendants of Albert Holbrook, one of the first two young Rockland soldiers to die in World War I.

Gaye Best told council of a petition signed by 80 people during a ceremony in the park last year. 

Because the Bests made their comments during the public podium time, councilors could not respond immediately. Twenty minutes later councilors were able to clarify a few things.

MacLellan-Ruf said: “I just want to really reiterate my deep respect for the veterans; my family is inundated with them. I have discussed this with other veterans and none of them feel that it is disrespectful in the least.”

According to MacLellan-Ruf, the park was originally called Winslow-Holbrook Square, “which is very different from Winslow-Holbrook Memorial Park.”

MacLellan-Ruf believes that the original placard was in the middle of Park Street, and that only recently “did that become the issue point.”

She also stated that many of the 80 names on the petition were from non-residents.

However, MacLellan-Ruf also pointed out that owner and chef Lynn Archer has taken care of the park, planting her own flowers and picking up garbage at Winslow-Holbrook Memorial Park.

The Brass Compass Café license, which allows for 10 feet of public space, was renewed.

Also acted upon during the council session:

New floats at Snow Marine Park — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has provided a Grant-in-Aid to the City of Rockland. The Bureau provide nine 6 ft. x 16 ft. wooden boarding floats for use at Snow Marine Park. Three of these floats will be available this year. The other six will be available in the spring of 2016.

These floats will be open for the general public to use for outdoor boating recreation, according to a letter from the bureau.

Councilor Larry Pritchett pointed out that the pilings which these new floats would be attached to are no longer standing. City Manager James Chaousis will look into the matter. 

Reconveyances will be open to public comment May 11 at 7 p.m. for the following properties:

107 First Street, 24 Jefferson Street, 19 Franklin Street, 26 Rockland Street, and 127 First Street. 

Related stories:

Brass Compass granted one-year lease on tables in Rockland park

Brass Compass gets its outdoor space with Rockland Council vote