ROCKLAND — According to Councilor Valli Geiger, several citizens have approached her with the desire to keep domesticated chickens in residential areas. In response, Geiger is seeking to establish a permit process for Rockland residents wishing to keep those animals.

The ordinance would also provide minimum standards for the keeping of domesticated chickens in other parts of the city for agricultural use.

Geiger is looking to follow the laws of urban areas far larger than Rockland, such as Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon. These cities allow hens only, because it seems "the male of the species is the one that causes all the trouble.

“Hens are quiet, apparently, and can be held for the purpose of fairly inexpensive and regular production of protein," Geiger told members of council stated during the Sept. 14 council meeting.

Councilor Louise MacLellan-Ruf acknowledged that a chickens-in-neighborhoods ordinance was defeated a few years ago. MacLellan-Ruf did not state the reason for the defeat.

Chickens are already allowed in Residential Zone B as an accessory use to residential uses where not otherwise prohibited, essentially without regulation or notation, according to City Attorney Kevin Beal during the same meeting.

The next regularly-scheduled council meeting would have been Monday, Oct. 12, which happens to be Columbus Day. The meeting will hence be held on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Agenda items for Wednesday, Oct. 14 regular meeting:

1.  Roll Call

2.  Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3.  Public Forum of not more than 30 minutes (3 min. limit each speaker)

4.  Meeting Notice

5.  Reading of the Record

6.  Reports:

a.  City Manager’s Report

b.  City Attorney’s Report

c.  Other Official’s Report

d.  Mayor’s Report

Communications:

a. Letter from Steve Carroll – Resignation from Knox County Budget Committee

Licenses and Permits:

a. Liquor & Entertainment Licenses – Waterworks Restaurant

b. Liquor & Entertainment Licenses – Fog Bar & Café

c. Lodging House License – Trade Winds Motor Inn

d. License to Operate a Taxi Company – Schooner Bay Limo & Taxi

c. Conditional Entertainment License – Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery

Resolves:

#40 Commendation – David Kalloch — Assistant Code Enforcement Officer

#41 Commendation & Recognition — David Larrabee, HEO – Public Works Department

#42 Donations – Rockland Public Library

#43  Appointment – COMPS Commission (M. Gifford)

Ordinances in Final Reading and Public Hearing:

#24 Ch. 17, Sec. 17-403 & 17-420 Parking Violations; Shuffling

Councilors want to make changes to a previous ordinance for shuffling (the act of moving one’s vehicle from one parking spot, then returning, or relocating to another spot in order to avoid fines in time-limited areas).

The first change will extend the time period that a vehicle is away from the spot from five minutes to 20 minutes.

The second change will increase the fines for staying longer than the time limit, or violating shuffling ordinances, to a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $100. The initial waiver fee would be $25. Waiver fee after $30 would be $50.

#32 Zoning Map Amendment – "B" to "I" Thomaston Street

#33 Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 35 Broadway

#34 Ch. 2, Sec. 2-212 – City Council Regular Meeting; Starting Time

#35 Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 60 Merrill Drive

#36 Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 99 West Meadow Road

#37 Ch. 3, Art. III Keeping of Domesticated Chickens

#38 Ch. 19, Sec. 19-304 Res A Zone Regs; Domesticated Chickens

Public Hearing:  Microenterprise Assistance Program Grant

Ordinances in First Reading:

#39 Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 19 Franklin Street

#40 Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 15 Garden Avenue

#41 Ch. 11, Sec. 11-210 Lodging House and Transient Residential Accommodations

#42 Ch. 19, Secs. 19-302 & 19-309 Transient Residential Accommodations

Orders:

#81 Amending Harbor & Waterfront Fee Schedule

Executive Session pursuant to Title 1, M.R.S., Sec. 405(6)(A) which permits the discussion or consideration of evaluation of personnel, to hold a performance review of the City Manager.