ROCKLAND — Rockland Mayor Will Clayton, on behalf of the Rockland City Council, commended Nancy O’Brien, owner of Fiore LLC, for receiving the 2013 Women-Owned Small Business Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The city recognized O'Brien at the regular meeting of the Rockland City Council,  May 13, at City Hall in Rockland.

Starting in 2009 as a retail store for specialty olive oils and vinegars in Bar Harbor, Fiore added a second location in Rockland at 503 Main Street. The company’s name, “Fiore,” means “blossoming flower” in Italian, and underscores the essence of this new venture. The company has benefited from SBA guaranteed loan through Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, which nominated Fiore for this award.

“On behalf of the city and the community we feel truly honored to be here,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien and Fiore will be honored at an SBA celebration luncheon on June 4 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.

In other business

Clayton again solicited the public's help once again for the May 25 scheduled beach clean-up. He said the there are 35 to 40 people signed up and he would like to see at least 100. Sponsors for the event include the new Chowder House Restaurant at Trade Winds; Garden Island Laundry and Cleaners for T-shirts; Thomaston Recycling for breakfast muffins and beverages; and the Samoset Resort for lunch. The mayor urged individuals, teams and groups to contact him through City Hall to sign up.

Beta Sigma Phi Sorority made a donation of $160 to the Rockland Recreation Department to cover the costs of two children’s participation in the Summer Day Camp Program. The council accepted the donation and resolved to send a letter of thanks be sent to BSP in recognition of its generous donation.

In the City manager’s report, James Smith noted that the two Civil War cannons being restored should be completed and be in place for the Memorial Day weekend. The cannons will be put in Chapman Park, which is at the southwest corner of Park and Main Streets.

The council made numerous appointments to its boards, commissions and committees. To the Board of Assessment Reviews, Leslie Spears; Planning Board, Abbie Knicklebein (Alternate); Personnel Board, Ricky W. Brewster (Alternate); Zoning Board of Appeals, Leslie Spears; Parks Commission, Alison Weaver and John Grondin; Coast Guard City Advisory Committee, Brandy Perkins and Cynthia Powell; Parking Advisory Committee, Leslie Spears; Public Works Advisory Committee, Stephen Harris and Carol Harris; Recreation Advisory Committee, Timothy Matero, Adam Ackor, Claire Weinberg and Leslie Spears; Ad Hoc Harbor Trail Committee, David Wylie.

Of the 11 licenses and permits set for public hearing and approval, nine we granted and two postponed. Both Café Miranda and The Navigator Motor Inn were postponed because they did not have the required number of signatures on the application. Liquor License approval were made for L&H Burgers, The Brass Compass, Conte’s 1894, Sunfire Mexican Grill and Roselyn Seafood. Liquor and entertainment licenses were approved for Archers on the Pier, Rock Harbor Restaurant, Rock City Café and Myrtle Street Tavern.

The Council voted down an order to sell 221 square feet of property abutting Winslow-Holbrook Park by a 3 to 2 vote.