ROCKLAND — Ask those who toil on behalf of the city to think about how to make Rockland better, and they’ll respond with a mountain of ideas, from the mundane — a water fountain at City Hall, to the unheard of — a budget taxpayers can live with.

Last December, Mayor Tom Molloy asked city employees and council members to contribute goals and objectives for a 1994 action plan.

“They came through in a big way,” he said. “I got 147 suggestions, a very gratifying response. Some are very minor, such as repairs that can be handled administratively by the city manager or department heads. The rest are being compiled into a list of goals. Some can be accomplished in a short time; some will require long-range planning and money. Many are doable; some will prove to be very controversial as we move ahead in exploring them, such as a suggestion by a couple of council members that we privatize the city Finance Department. What’s important is that all segments of the city have a sense of ownership in planning for the future.”

Molloy believes that “successful governments must have a plan of action. Many communities rely on the municipal budget as their plan. True, the budget is policy, but certainly not a true plan of action. My experience is that municipalities with a plan of action succeed in bringing about positive results.”

Bricks-and-mortar suggestions from various departments call for planning for a new City Hall, police station, a fire substation on Camden Street, a salt-and-sand shed, a public works building and expansion of the library.

The city manager’s goals include completing the comprehensive plan, settling union contracts, relicensing the landfill and improving odor control, recognizing outstanding employees, upgrading office equipment, and providing efficient and cost-effective service to residents.

The police request a K-9 unit, a new police boat, improvements to the communications division, a day to recognize the department and its officers, and the development of a Total Quality Management program.

Public Works recommends a referendum on a major street-repair program, the creation of a Parks Department, the removal of underground tanks and sewer improvements.

The Fire Department suggests a public awareness program on hazardous materials and a fire prevention program for elementary pupils, along with a renewed commitment to training for firefighters and improvements at the training center.

In addition to passing a budget acceptable to taxpayers, City Council members want to explore privatizing the Finance Department and the landfill.

They also suggest that the city increase its drug interdiction efforts, expand economic development, establish police foot patrols in all neighborhoods, develop a summer work program for teens and build a railroad park.

The Assessor’s Department came up with the most modest suggestions — a water fountain and public telephone for City Hall. The library asks for public restrooms, improved access for the handicapped, better drainage and longer hours; and the Finance Department for a new central processing unit, better records storage systems, and more room in which to work.

The Code Enforcement Office looks for an amended city electrical ordinance, clearer condemnation procedures, a review of oil burner inspections and the adoption of a new property maintenance code.

The Legal Department suggests that the shoreland zoning and subdivision ordinances be completed.