ROCKLAND – At its regular meeting April 12, the Rockland City Council approved a lease for the Brass Compass to use a strip of Winslow Homer Park for its business and the Rockland People's Sculpture Race received approval to proceed with its event on August 12.

Lynn Archer, owner of the Brass Compass and Archers on the Pier, appeared before the council Wednesday evening requesting that the city once again approve a lease for the restaurant to use a strip of Winslow Holbrook Park so she may provide outdoor seating for her restaurant.

The Park sits at the corner of Park and Main streets and honors 2nd Lt. Albert Holbrook and Pfc. Arthur Winslow, who both died in World War I. Maine saw more than 70,000 men participate in World War I. Of them, 423 were from Rockland; 11 of them died in that war.

Archer has for years leased a portion of that park to provide outdoor seating for her restaurant. At times hotly contested, the lease was approved by a 4-0 voted without a single debate.

"It's been a long time coming," she said. "I think it's finally understood that I'm here to stay and I have nothing but the best interests of Rockland, and its veteran and its people I my heart."

Archer said she has made improvements to the outside of her building that abuts the park and repaved the strip of land where her seating is maintained. As well Archer told the city of plans for a franchise of the Brass Compass.

Archer said she had been asked for a long time to add Brass Compass to a standing restaurant in Florida. Archer did not reveal the restaurant chain.

"There are multiple restaurants owned by the one company," she said. "They have for a long time asked me to partner with them. They don't serve breakfast, currently. I've agreed to go this week to visit the restaurants, look at them and bring my menu."

Archer said Ocala, Florida, will be the first one.

"It's more of a year round community, not just a snowbird community," she said. "There are not a lot of great breakfast restaurants there, plus I'll be bringing a bit of Maine flare to that area. I'm very honored that I've been asked and I feel like now is the right time."

Archer said the franchised restaurants will carry the name Brass Compass and an announcement will be made by the end of the summer.

In other city business, the council approved a street closure for the Rockland People's Sculpture Race.

Set to take place on August 12, organizer Kim Bernard said it is a short distance race where the entry is built by the team and is either pushed, pulled or peddled along the race course. Deadline for your race entry is June 1.

Bernard asked the city to waive its insurance requirement for the event. A certificate of liability insurance is a requirement by the city for the street closure.

Bernard said because of the nature of funding for the event, being required to carry insurance would be a hindrance.

Bernard said it was a community event and no money would be realized. Bernard said she was quoted $3,000 for insurance coverage.

There are no entrance fees and Bernard said there is no money to pay for insurance.

The event will take place at the same time as the Rockland Boats and Harbor Show.

Councilors approved the street closure 4-0, but stopped short of waiving the insurance fees.