ROCKLAND, Maine — City councilors voiced support Monday night for an ordinance that would make it illegal to feed sea gulls to the point that it becomes a nuisance to neighbors because of fowl droppings.
And councilors agreed to reconsider whether to allow the Brass Compass restaurant to use a strip of city land next to a park named after two World War I veterans.
The sea gull ordinance is being developed by the code enforcement officer and city attorney. The woman who is at the center of the controversy and her neighbors both appeared before the council with opposing viewpoints on the proposed law.
“I can’t imagine how we can allow this go on,” said Mayor Brian Harden.
City Manager James Smith stressed that the city is not proposing to ban people from feeding birds or animals but to allow the city to take enforcement action when it becomes a significant nuisance.
Councilor William Clayton said he would like any proposed ordinance to cover both private and public properties. He said people who feed birds are not helping them but making them dependent on humans.
Code Officer John Root proposed the ordinance in response to complaints from residents on Camden Street Terrace about bird droppings on their properties from a woman’s feeding of sea gulls.
Councilor Eric Hebert questioned how the city would define when feeding the sea gulls becomes a problem. City Attorney Kevin Beal said there are standards for when an activity becomes a nuisance.
The ordinance is expected to be developed and considered for a preliminary vote at the council’s May 14 meeting.
The council also agreed to consider an item on the May 14 agenda to allow the Brass Compass restaurant to place tables and chairs on a 12-foot strip of city property. The council voted last month to reject the request.
Mayor Harden noted the city was considering doing work in the Winslow-Holbrook Park this summer and said that it may make sense to wait until it is known what will be done before approving the use of the park.
Brass Compass owner Lynn Archer said she would remove the tables and chairs whenever the city needed to do work.
Archer said she would be willing to pay more per table or to buy the strip if necessary.
She again stressed that outdoor seating is appreciated by people. Archer also noted that the city has not been consistent on the issue of whether there should be commercial use of property on memorial parks. She pointed out that a section of Ulmer Park is used for parking by Dunkin Donuts and that the Fishermen’s Memorial Pier is leased to commercial entities during the summer.
I see no reason why Lynn can’t use the space for her customers – she has brought a business to the city and it has been a favorite of many for many years – don’t do this woman wrong!!! she deserves the use of the space and it is no way her intent to be disrespectful to the veteran’s spot.
If anything Ms. Archer’s use of the park for her outdoor seating has greatly improved the area and actually encourages people to stop and admire the monument. This spot in Rockland previously was littered with trash and more frequent a hang out spot for a town drunk or two or similar sketchy types that you would just hurry past to avoid any trouble. Since the arrival of the Brass Compass, this corner has been cleaner, more welcoming and a spot that encourages people to pause and reflect. Seems like a case of sour grapes by other business owners who envy the B.C.’s success. I hope they will continue to allow the restaurant’s presence for the benefit of main street Rockland!
I had a wonderful breakfast at the Brass Compass last weekend. As always, it was bustling with business. You are correct about the condition of the “park” in years past. I wonder if the Mayor has an agenda. He also owns a business on Main Street.
I don’t live in Rockland but think the use of this area partially for outdoor seating would be appreciated by the folks memorialized there. What a nice way to have people visit your space and enjoy themselves in the open are, two days a year when its nice enough to dine outside….
If part of the argument against is that Veterans may be insulted by folks having a meal next to a memorial park I might suggest that Veterans be polled on the subject. I recall that many memorial services attended in the past have been followed by the hospitality of refreshments so I don’t believe the two are mutually exclusive. I don’t ever recall a VFW event where there was no food or Drink.
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I’m glad the controversy is being reconsidered. I think Lynn Archer ought to be using the park space again this summer while the city considers whatever development needs to happen there. She comports herself well there by keeping it clean and making its use feasible for others. Of course the scene that is encountered by people arriving on Main Street is pretty and welcoming. THAT counts for so much in terms of the image of the city.
Regarding the proposal of an ordinance for feeding seagulls:
I attended the council meeting last night and heard the arguments on both sides. I think that there is a NEED for an ordinance. We have too many people whose daily lives are disrupted by this activity not to consider giving them some relief. Of course there are going to be seagulls. Of course those are going to poop. But attracting them on purpose is another matter. We have people feeding deer in their yards, feeding foxes in their yards, feeding wild birds at their feeders. At some point common sense needs to take over where emotion is now. Reasonable tempers need to prevail.
A couple things have been revealed here which need to be considered.
1. The bird-feeding lady stated that she picks up bread at the food pantry to feed these “poor gulls.” REALLY? I thought the food pantry was to feed HUMANS. If she is receiving assistance with free bread, it should NOT be used to feed gulls.
2. Gull guano is not healthy for pet exposure. I heard one young woman state that neighborhood pets are becoming ill from all the guano. Hmmm. I’d think the bird-feeding lady might be concerned about that if she is concerned about other animals.
3. The city needs to be CLEAR in its ordinance if one is proposed. This is a teachable moment.
I must say that there was a missed opportunity last night. Had the city councilors just gone outside to the parking area to see the truck the bird-feeding lady’s husband drove, the question about how prevalent the bird droppings are would have been solved. The truck was COVERED in splatters of gull guano! It was hilarious to see in a way, as the lady had argued it was not that much of a problem… oh my! Well, at least those of us outside had a grand laugh at the irony!
Did anyone see the trucking which the bird-feeding lady traveled to and from the meeting? COVERED in bird droppings! It was hilarious irony. If the councilors had stepped outside to see it, the controversy over how much of a problem it is would’ve been solved! Bring on a feeding ordinance. For gulls, deer, squirrels, foxes, etc, all of which are being fed by citizens.
What is wrong with sitting in this small park enjoying coffee or a meal. A reminder of our veterans who fought for us is never a bad thing.. Entering Main St. in Rockland & seeing people outside in warm weather at this restaurant & other eateries gives Rockland an inviting appeal along with the lovely little shops. I cannot understand why this is such a big deal. 30 years ago Main St. was such a dirty little area with litter, noisy cars speeding around the rotary & kids hanging out. It is turning into a quaint enjoyable place to be. It sounds like the owner is responsible & coopertive. I would bet refusing to let her customers use this park will hurt her business & take away from the city as well.
I would say what is wrong with the city council that they allow Bob Liberty to call the shots.
He is behind this attack on the Brass Compass, and it is a disgrace to the city.
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Agree.
Brass Compass being outside is a tremendous plus for Rockland. It’s hard to see how outside searting would ever be a detriment to the city.
And if you go Brass Compass, try the chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting made from Lynn Archer’s grandmother’s recipe! One of the best desserts in town and well worth the trip.
Let’s see if this nutty seagull lady would enjoy some neighborhood dogs relieving on her front walkway or on her porch. Something tells me that would not be any more acceptable than her feeding these gulls and them relieving all over the neighbors decks, vehicles (which ruins the paint, by the way) and lawns.
This woman has no common sense and no couth when it comes to respecting her neighbors. It’s a shame.
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