Rockland City Mayor Louise MacLellan-Ruf presided over her last city council meeting Monday evening, November, 14, ending her term as both a city councilor and mayor for Rockland. She said she ran for council after serving on the Harbor Committee and was unable to get the city to stop dumping snow into the harbor.

MacLellan-Ruf was elected to her term as a city councilor in 2013 and elected mayor in 2015. She decided not to seek reelection for her seat this past election, serving only the one three-year term. Ed Glaser will take her seat.

In her closing remarks she was thankful to her fellow councilors, the city hall staff and managers for their support, and to the city's vast network of volunteers.

In other council business, the Trade Winds Motor Inn was granted its Lodging House License after given a 30-day extension from the last city council meeting. (See Rockland Council commends Old County Road project, extends Trade Winds permit, hires Portland law firm)

Although not on the agenda, Josh Shoals, of the Rockland Kiwanis Club, asked the council to grant it a street closure on December 17. The authorization was added to the agenda by the city manager and was approved by the council 4-0.

Shoals said the Kiwanis wanted to hold a fun run for kids in costumes and the Kiwanis will hand out jingle bells for the kids to use during their run. Shoals originally asked the city to close Main St. from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.

Councilor Will Clayton asked that the closure be amended to 8a.m. to 10 a.m. Both the amendment and the order passed the council in a 4-0 vote.

In another 4-0 vote the city council raised the sprinkler system exemption ordinance from 1,000 square feet to 1,550 square feet. The ordinance was amended with another 4=0 vote and will take effect December 14.

Several residents have come forward complaining about the added cost of a sprinkler system. Councilor Geiger, who sponsored the ordinance, said people are opting not to build with the additional costs that are required to add a sprinkler system.