ROCKLAND, Maine — Dogs have been given a reprieve from further restrictions on where they can go in Rockland. Town officials also hope that they have fixed sewage issues that caused them to shut down Snow Marine Park in July and that it may soon be reopened.
The city council voted 5-0 Monday night to postpone until January a proposal to bar dogs from Jaycee Park and the adjacent Kenniston Field on Old County Road from May 1 through Nov. 1. The proposal also would have extended the current ban by a month on dogs at Johnson Memorial Park, Sandy Beach, Merritt Park Playground, Ocean Street Playground and Warren Street Playground from May 1 through Nov. 1. The current ban runs through Oct. 1.
Councilor Louise MacLellan-Ruf said that the change was not needed. She said she spoke with the police chief and there have been no incidents of dog bites or near bites at those parks.
“Let’s step back from the hysteria,” she said.
MacLellan-Ruf said the majority of the 488 licensed dog owners in Rockland clean up after their pets.
She said dog haters were quick to accuse dogs of being the cause of high E. coli levels at Snow Marine Park, which has been closed since July 10. Town officials determined in August, however, that the contamination was caused by three area homes that were not properly hooked up to the sewer line. Interim City Manager Tom Luttrell told councilors Monday night that another house not connected to a sewer line was found and the problem corrected.
He said after the next rainfall, the city will test the park again and open it if the E. coli level has dropped back to a safe range.
MacLellan-Ruf said that she and Councilor Frank Isganitis are working with local businesswoman and resident Suzanne Ward to look for potential sites a formal dog park in the city. A park for dogs has been discussed in Rockland since 2009.
After the vote, there were loud comments by two residents, criticizing MacLellan-Ruf. The comments were made as the council took a break at about 10:30 p.m., four hours into the meeting. During the break, city officials contacted the police and asked that an officer be assigned to make sure that the peace was kept.
The officer left soon after the residents making their objections exited.
In other action at Monday night’s meeting, the council voted 4-1 to sell a house and lot at 106 Thomaston St. to Ryan Lawrence of Rockland for $50,000. The city had acquired the lot earlier in the year for non-payment of taxes.
Dickerson voted against the measure, saying that a lower bid from a couple who wanted to use it for their family gatherings next to their parents home should be considered.
The council rejected on a 3-2 vote (Dickerson, MacLellan-Ruf and Mayor Larry Pritchett opposed) to sell a city-owned lot on Old County Road known as the Engine Quarry to Greg Dorr in exchange for a lot he owns on Rankin Street. Councilors said the city’s lot could be used for conservation purposes.
Councilors also voted unanimously Monday night to formally set Nov. 4 as the date for a referendum on whether to repeal a pay-per-bag ordinance adopted by the council in June. The referendum was prompted by a petition drive by opponents.