ROCKLAND, Maine — Faced with a large contingent of residents voicing support for the Brass Compass restaurant’s use of a strip of an adjacent park, city councilors will consider the proposal for the third time this spring.
Nearly four hours into a Monday night meeting, Councilor Elizabeth Dickerson asked that the council vote June 11 on her proposal to allow the Brass Compass to use an 8-foot strip of the park. Under her proposal, the city would charge the Brass Compass $100 per table.
In both April and May, the council rejected on 3-2 votes allowing the Brass Compass to use a 12-foot-wide strip at $25 per table.
At the public comment session of the meeting, 14 people went to the podium to urge councilors to allow the restaurant to continue to use the park as it has for nine years.
Former Councilor Joseph Steinberger was one of those speakers. He noted he and his wife operate a restaurant on Main Street but are not envious of the Brass Compass being located next to a park and able to use some of the land.
“Her success is Rockland’s success,” Steinberger said.
Real estate broker Douglas Erickson said he has been involved with the property, that Lynn Archer now owns, since the early 1980s and that the park had not been used until Archer opened the Brass Compass and maintained the adjacent square. He said he has talked with a few businesses during the past week and they have decided not to come to Rockland because they felt Rockland beats up on small businesses.
“Find a way to put a positive spin on this thing and end this,” Erickson said.
Frank Isganitis, owner and operator of the Limerock Inn, said there are positive ripple effects from the Brass Compass customers coming to Rockland. He said the council needs to be creative in encouraging businesses at a time when the tax rate is rising.
Rick Catalano, a local contractor, told the council that having people dining outside in the park at the entrance to downtown helps boost Rockland’s reputation.
In response to Dickerson’s proposal, Mayor Brian Harden said a workshop should be held by the council to hear all sides of the issue. He said councilors only heard one side on Monday night.
Dickerson said she wanted her proposal voted on and it was placed on the June 11 council agenda.
Good……Should be able to use it.
great coffee,great atmosphere,great people and of course great food.
Third time is not the charm, it’s the last warning shot before it goes and gets legal. And since the City Council has had more than one opportunity to get this straightend out, you can pretty well figure that whichever Judge gets this in front of them isin’t going to be really impressed with the City effort’s when they go crying about how much they’ve done and tried to reach a settlement. This goes on much longer and it’s gonna start getting caught up in the November election cycle…….
Have never eaten outside at the Brass Compass, yet every time I walk by and see people enjoying themselves it puts a smile on my face. Everybody has their own opinion; and are entitled to it. But, enough is enough. The time for a “workshop” is over for this year. For now get this resolved in an amiable way.
$100 per table should go quite a ways towards keeping the park in good repair and Lynn already has been keeping it clean for years. Let’s remain the “CAN DO” city that we have shown ourselves to be. :)
Bottom line: is Rockland business friendly? You can bet people are listening and taking note. No wonder the Thomaston corridor is taking all our retail away.
a workshop mr harden?!! are you serious? in a long list of ignorant decisions made by you mr harden this one should go down in history…part of your job as a councilor is to execute the will of the people. please please please let everyone remember your arrogance at voting time.
When tourists come from Rt 1 and make that left turn onto Main Street, it is really festive and inviting that the first thing they see is diners enjoying themselves eating outdoors. I only wish the Brass Compass was open for dinner as well!
It’s a shame the community has to beat councilors up to get them to listen to its citizens.
Hopefully in Rockland there will be a change and we might see a return (at least in this one small instance) to “government belonging to the people” and not vice versa as it’s unfortunately become in Rockland and everywhere else.
The question is , ‘Why is Mayor Brian Harden stalling’ ? His behavior in this matter is quite suspicious.
Limited to a few tables, why wouldn’t this be a nice addition? We go over there from mid-coast and find the town a bit barren.
Agreed! Rockland has such a nice feel to it when tourists are visiting the museums, restaurants and stores. How fun it is when Rockland closes Main Street to traffic and hosts several street parties a year! Also, the Lobster Festival, Blues Festival, Boat Show! The more human presence on Main Street the better! Mayor BHard should relax and let the party continue! Put the ROCK! in Rockland!
How come it wasn’t reported that Harden threw his hat at Dickerson? Read about it in villagesoup.
Good question. Reading this article one certainly does not get a full picture or understanding of last nights meeting. Why even bother with a column on it. So much about this is strange.
What? Sorry, I don’t get Village Soup. What happened?????
Dickerson and Harden got into an argument, and because Dickerson is right, and Harden just does what he feels like he threw his hat and hit her. Dickerson responds by dumping a can of Pepsi in his lap. You can’t make this stuff up!
NO WAY! Did that really happen? Did she really dump Pepsi in his lap?
Exactly what I was thinking. I would think the mayor and councilor assaulting each other would be newsworthy. Too bad I missed it.
Mr. Harden forgets that he works for the people of Rockland and not for his personal vendetta against successful businesses in the city. One more reason people from across the world are once again laughing at us.
This is getting to be outright ridiculous, the handling of what hasn’t been a problem in years past. I recently flew into Knox County Reg. Airport. After tying down the plane, Kevin Waters loaned me Penobscot Island Air’s van and I headed into town for lunch, destination The Brass Compass. And I introduced my passenger to his first visit to in-city Rockland and The Brass compass.
If $25 per table has been acceptable in the past, so be it. Renew it and get on with good relations for all. Relative to this issue the city council has become the laughing stock of “now from away” Knox County natives. And the next time you cross the Thomaston/Cushing town line, give it a wave for me.
I miss it.
I wonder what Mr. Harden and Co. would think if Mrs. Archer decides to move her extremely successful business ventures to a more business friendly town.
My family had a successful business in Rockland for 20+ years and had to move to Thomaston because Rockland did not want to work with them. Thomaston offered tax breaks if the business were moved there. Also, Thomaston promised police coverage for the business where Rockland police couldn’t be bothered to drive past this business after numerous break-ins.
Rockland left a very sour taste in all of our mouths and the taste is still there.
Mr Mayors Seat is up in November ,I hope someone runs against him. Maybe it time for a recall…………….
It time for a change on the City Council.
Ms Dickerson DID NOT THROW ANYTHING on or at Mr. Harden although, I still don’t understand why everyone isn’t throwing things at him. Vacillation and indecision are really annoying characteristics. The park, with the help of the Brass Compass, adds life to our downtown area and it introduces tourists to a vibrant and welcoming Rockland. It works to the advantage of the town. We all know the old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” . It ain’t broke. Don’t fix it.
Village Soup posted the video and you are wrong. He tossed his hat at her like one would gently toss a frisbee. She then picked up the hat and angrily flung it at him with all her might. I like Dickerson and support most of the causes she supports, but I was very disappointed to see her respond the way she did. Cool and calm under pressure is what I look for in a politician.
I stand corrected. That was quite a “hat fling”! Dickerson may have been wrong in taking the action but, lets admit it, the Mayor is just a bit pompous and condescending. I guess, before the next meeting a notice should be made to “hold onto your hat” or “check your hat at the door”.
Has anyone seen the video on villiage soup about Mayor and councilor Dickerson