ROCKLAND – Distinguished as the first quarry in the United States to change from steam power machinery to electricity in 1895, the question of ownership of the long-unused Engine Quarry returns to the April City Council meeting agenda. (Engine is pronounced with a long i.)

On Monday, April 9, Rockland City Councilor Adam Ackor will propose, in First Reading, the authorization of a Quit Claim Deed of 224 Limerock Street.

In the past couple of years at least two prospective buyers approached the City regarding potential sale.

The concern for the City, according to City Manager Tom Luttrell, during the April 2 agenda-setting meeting, is in providing proof of clear title. Luttrell said that City attorney Mary Costigan believes such a title does not exist, though attorneys for prospective buyer Fred Dodd told Luttrell that they’d be able to find it.

In selling the property, the City would have to structure the wording in such a way to prevent any type of litigation in the future.

“It would become a property battle at that point in time,” he said. “But there’s really still no way in our minds that anybody can get clear title to the Engine Quarry.”

Which is why quit claim deeds can be used, according to City Clerk Stuart Sylvester. 

“We may quit any claim we may have on the property,” he said, “though that certainly doesn’t relieve us of any future entanglements.”

See the entire April 9 City Council agenda here.

1. Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Public Forum of not more than 30 minutes (5 min. limit each speaker)
4. Council/Manager Response to Public Comment
5. Meeting Notice
6. Reading of the Record
7. Reports:
a. City Manager’s Report
b. City Attorney’s Report
c. Other Official’s Report
d. Mayor’s Report
8. Consent Agenda:
Resolves:
#14 Accepting Donations – Parks Commission City Council
#15 Appointments – ZBA Mayor Geiger
#16 Appointment – Democratic Election Clerks Councilor Ackor
#17 Accepting Donations – Library City Council
Orders:
#12 Accepting Forfeited Assets – W. Rankin City Manager
#13 Accepting 2017 Home Repair Network Grant City Manager
#15 Authorizing Street Closure – Blues Festival Club Crawl City Council
#16 Authorizing RFP – Sale of City-Owned Property (375 Pleasant St.) City Council
#17 Authorizing Grant Application & Acceptance – Bixby & Co. Councilor Westkaemper
#18 Authorizing Grant Application & Acceptance – Genesis Fund Councilor Westkaemper
#19 Authorizing Grant Application & Acceptance – Fish Pier Councilor Westkaemper
#20 Authorizing Grant Application & Acceptance – Harbor Mgmt Plan Councilor Westkaemper
#21 Accepting DOT Funds; Local Funding – Main/Park Improvements City Manager
#22 Accepting Grant Funds – Fire Department Councilor Magjik
9. Licenses and Permits:
a. Entertainment License – Function Junction (Postponed 3/12/18)
b. Liquor & Lodging House Licenses – The Lindsey Hotel (Postponed 3/12/18)
c. Liquor & Entertainment Licenses – Sandbagger’s Café (Postponed 3/12/18)
d. Liquor License – Home Kitchen Café (Postponed 3/12/18)
e. Liquor License – The Landings Restaurant (Postponed 3/12/18)
f. Lodging House License – Ripple Inn at the Harbor (Postponed 3/12/18)
g. Liquor, Entertainment & Lodging House – 250 Main Hotel (Postponed (3/12/18)
h. Liquor License – Brass Compass Café
i. Liquor & Entertainment Licenses – Archer’s on the Pier
j. Liquor License – Rockland Café
k. Liquor License – North Beacon Oyster
l. Liquor License – Liberator Brewing Company
m. Liquor & Entertainment Licenses – The Pearl
10. Resolves: None
11. Ordinances in Final Reading & Public Hearing:
# 7 Chapter 11, Section 11-210 STR Penalties (Postponed 3/12/18) Mayor Geiger

# 9 Chapter 2, Boards, Commissions & Committees Mayor Geiger
#10 Chapter 19, Planning Board, ZBA & COMPS Mayor Geiger
#11 Chapter 2, Article XVI Parks & Recreation Department Mayor Geiger
#12 Chapter 13, Articles I & II Parks, Trees & Recreational Facilities Mayor Geiger
#13 Chapter 10, Section 10-301 Odor Control Panel Mayor Geiger
#14 Naming of a Street - “Thorndike Loop” Councilor Ackor
12. Ordinances in First Reading:
#15 Chapter 11, Article XIII Local Food Sovereignty Ordinance Councilor Glaser
#16 Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – 224 Old County Rd (Engine Quarry) Councilor Ackor
13. Orders:
# 4 License Fee; Med. Marijuana Production Facilities (Post. 2/12/18) Councilor Magjik
#11 Authorizing Investigation; Joining Opioid Class Action Suit Councilor Magjik
#14 Authorizing License Agreement – Brass Compass Tables & Chairs Councilor Ackor
#23 Authorizing Subordination Agreement – Stanley Carleton, Jr. Councilor Glaser
Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. §405(6)(D) for a discussion of Union negotiations and 1 M.R.S.
§405(6)(A) for a discussion of a personnel matter.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com