Rain compounds library’s woes> Landmark building in Rockland suffers from `backlog of neglect’

ROCKLAND — The Rockland Library is in serious need of repair, the Friends of the Library have informed the City Council.

The public library suffered damage in last week’s heavy rainstorm, after gutters were removed as part of a small renovation program. The rainwater ran into the cellar floor because of a “backlog of neglect,” said Mary East. At Monday’s council meeting, she invited City Council members to tour the library which “smells pretty bad.”

Roberta Axelson said the recent “disaster” at the library has created danger to both health and safety. “There is a desperate need for money,” she said.

City Manager Cathy Sleeper said the heavy rain backed up because of the gutter removal and the frozen ground. The Friends of the Library are “very concerned” about the incident that has left cellar floors and carpeting soaking wet, she said.

In the short term, a maintenance company will be hired to clean up the recent mess, Sleeper said. But in the long term, the city library faces some very expensive problems of handicapped access, roof problems and adequate drainage.

Mayor Thomas Molloy, a long time supporter of the library, said the city should move with “dispatch” on library improvements, possibly with the $20,000 earmarked for purchase of land at the public landing.

“The building was erected in 1904 and is one of the most beautiful in the city and somehow it has escaped the wrecking ball,” Molloy said. Too often, the council has overlooked library problems when developing the capital budget. “We’ve fallen down on the job. It’s the worst I’ve ever seen it. We need to do our part,” Molloy said.

Manager Sleeper said the library is getting more attention than it did in the past, but there is only so much capital money available.

Councilor Robert Peabody asked Sleeper to revisit the budget to find the $20,000 needed for the immediate renovations.

At the Monday session, Councilor Robert Gagnon suggested that the council “strong arm” the city code enforcement officer to solve a problem with a church and a fence.

The Midcoast Children’s Services is using a house purchased by the Rockland Congregational Church and wants to erect a fence to protect playing children. But the code officer has ruled that the fence would be an “expansion of a nonconforming use” and a clear violation of zoning law. Manager Sleeper said the code enforcement officer does not have the authority to issue a permit.

The council found no solution to the impasse this week, but will view the area and look for a satisfactory answer.