ROCKLAND — The Rockland City Council met Monday evening to set its agenda for its April 8 meeting at City Hall. James Smith, Rockland’s city manager, has been on the job for one year and Mayor Will Clayton announced that the council would need to go behind closed doors following its open meeting to review the position and the manager’s time on the job.

During the public input part of the meeting, Rockland’s Poet Laureate Carol Bachofner updated councilors on her April agenda. She announced her “The Poet Is In,” program and said she would be keeping regular hours every Monday in the Rockland Public Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In December 2012, Bachofner tried for the Guinness Book of Records for the longest continuous reading of poetry. She read poetry for eight hours and one minute at the Rockland Public Library.

“I picked the longest day of the year to try and give the longest continuous poetry reading," she said. "Right now, there is no record for the longest reading, so I’m hopeful it gets recognized.”

She has received no word from Guinness after filing all the required paperwork, which included witness’s statements. She told the council she is hopeful her claim is recognized.

She also informed the council that on April 25, Oceanside East students would be reading their original works of poetry at 1 p.m. at the school. The event is free to the public.

In other business, City Manager James Smith informed the Council that a decision on what to do with the two Civil War cannons residing in the city’s impound lot would be revisited April 6. Postponed from the March 11 meeting, Smith updated the council about their restoration.

The Rockland Historical Society has identified a local business capable of restoring the cannons, and would be donating time materials to complete the project. The cannons would be restored following guidelines that the Gettysburg National Park uses to restore their cannons.

The question of bases for the cannons — actually howitzers —  remains in question. Smith said his office had received two quotes to supply bases for the howitzers to rest on. One quote for granite bases came in at $8,037 for the two base. Another quote arrived for $3,650 for two metal bases with decorative shields.

Councilor Larry Pritchett voiced concern over the granite bases, stating they would allow debris and moisture to become trapped under the body of the cannons. Smith said he would forward photos of the metal bases to councilors in order to allow them to make a more informed decision on April 8.
 
 
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the council reviewed resolves for the presentation of two plaques and certificates of commendation to be presented to city employees at the April 6 meeting.

One will be presented to James Jillson, who is retiring after 33 years of service with the Rockland Police Department, and one to Laurie Smith commemorating 20 years of service to the City’s finance department.

The councilors looked at the proposed first read of an ordinance outlining the city’s use of herbicides and pesticides.

“The City does not currently use chemicals, nor does its contractors,” said Smith. “The purpose of the ordinance is to establish a review, should the need ever arise to use them.”

The City of Rockland will also have an order to approve the sale of a city-owned parcel of land at its April 8 meeting. If approved, the city manager will solicit bids for the sale of 67 Warren Street. The property is assessed at $30,000; $9,900 is the value of the land and $20,100 is the value of the building; $679.50 is the amount of back owed taxes that forced the city to seek a sale.

A number of liquor and entertainment licenses were set to be granted after public input. Among them was one for the Chowder House, a new restaurant that will occupy the former Tradewinds Restaurant. As well, the Council is set to approve street closures for the Lobster Festival Parade, Blue’s Festival Club Crawl and the City’s Memorial Day Parade. Additionally, the city will decide whether to grant permission to hang a banner for the Lobster Boat Races.

The purpose of the April 1 meeting was not to debate or approve items on the agenda, but to allow councilor’s a chance to ask questions and get clarification before the April 8 meeting.