ROCKLAND — The Rockland City Council on Monday night voted to lease the Brass Compass 10 feet of space abutting its business in the park at Main Street and Park Drive. The approval came after amendments were made to the contract.

Councilor Frank Isganitis put forth three amendments to the contract before the vote and following public input from veterans and citizens. Gaye Best, a relative of Albert Holbrook, who was one of the two men the park was named after, said she opposed the park being used for commercial purposes. The park's name is Winslow-Holbrook Square. It is named in honor of two World War I veterans who were killed in action.

Members of American Legion Post 1 made statements during the public forum portion of the meeting, stating they were opposed to a portion of the park leased to a private business. They noted the general appearance of the park as littered and scaffolding had been piled against the back wall.

Isganitis' first amendment asked the council to reduce from 12 to 10 feet the amount of space leased and passed after debate and several minutes of math-checking by Councilor Elizabeth Dickerson to confirm Isganitis’s numbers. It was determined the space would take approximately 22 percent of the park. The amendment passed 4-1.

Councilor Pritchett commented: “If I really thought this was being disrespectful, I wouldn’t support it. We want the focus to be quite clear that it can be shared. The 12 feet we gave two years ago seemed too much. Ten feet seems workable.”

Brass Compass owner Lynn Archer had received eight feet last year and had requested 12 this year.

Amendment Two asked that the fee the city would charge be changed from $1,200 to $1,500. Isganitis argued that, “the fee Archer paid should be indicative of her good fortune of being in that location.”

Last year the city did not sign an agreement with Archer until June 15.

“We missed Memorial Day and a couple of good spring weeks,” Councilor Pritchett said.

He had checked with other municipalities in regards to amount they charged for similar arrangements.

“The rate would be consistent to other areas,” he said. 

The amendment passed 4-1.

Isganitis’ third amendment asked that the Brass Compass be allowed to restrict tables and chairs to patrons of the restaurant during business hours. The contract, as it stands, requires that the licensee shall permit and welcome members of the public to use any or all of the tables and chairs and may in no way restrict the use of tables and chairs to members of the licensee’s business.

Isganitis argued that the rule would affect wait staff that depended on the space for income and was only asking for the restriction to apply during working hours, citing that the business closed at 2 p.m.

The amendment failed after a 2-3 vote, the council went on to pass the agreement in a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Rockland’s Council last year purchased granite tables and chairs to be placed in the park. The purchased tables and benches are in storage, according to City Manager James Smith. The city is also pursuing plans for development of the park.

The agreement in the past has sparked controversy and lively debate at council meetings. Mayor Will Clayton thanked members of the council and public for keeping a “cool head” during the proceedings.

Chris Wolf can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com