MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 20, 2000

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W. Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks on March 20, 2000 of $581,460.74.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll stated that a permit request had been submitted by the Schooner Sultana Project for permission to hold a fund raising event at the shipyard on Saturday, April 29, 2000 from 4 to 7 p.m. He said they would also like to close the upper part of the 300 block of Cannon Street to S. Mill Street. He said the public parking lots on Cannon would remain open. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the permit be granted, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said that the Town Hall will have a census representative here on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 14 to assist people with their census forms. He said there will also be people at the Kent County Public Library, at 400 High Street, and Millington Elementary School.

Mr. Ingersoll said Colleen Perry was here to discuss the school bus pickups on Rt. 291. He said we wrote to the Board of Education about that as well as putting radar in the area. Mayor Bailey said he talked to Mary Ellen Kalamanowicz, Supervisor of Transportation. Ms. Kalamanowicz said several things need to be done before the buses will pickup students in Chestertown Landing. She said a street name sign needs to be put up and the speed needs to be set and posted on Schauber Road. Mr. Ingersoll said if it was up to the Council, he would recommend a speed limit of 20 mph. He said he would order the signs. Mayor Bailey said the Police Chief and Sheriff's Department has been out there. She said the police will continue to be there in the mornings between 8:15 and 8:20 a.m., and in the afternoon between 3:40 and 3:50 p.m.

Mayor Bailey said we have a request for a donation to the post prom party from Kent County Drug and Alcohol Prevention. She said the Town has donated $100 in the past. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Town donate $100 for the post prom party, was seconded by Mr. Clark and the vote was 4 in favor. Mr. Kirby abstained since he was on the Kent County Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council.

Mayor Bailey read a notice of an informational meeting to be held on April 6, 2000 at 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall on the Maryland State Heritage Tax Credit Program. She said the tax incentives are for preservation of historical residential or commercial properties. The speakers will be Bernie Callan, Vice-President and Treasurer of the MAHDC, and Ray Goodron of the Maryland Historical Trust. The public is invited to attend.

Mayor Bailey stated that Rev. Fisher of the Gospel Church of God will have their annual cleanup march around the community on March 28, 2000 at 6 p.m. She said anyone interested in participating should meet at 6 p.m. at the Church.

Mayor Bailey said that Orgirina Graves of the Recreation Commission would like to have an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 22, 2000 at noon at Garnett Playground. She has requested $40 to buy the plastic eggs for the hunt and this would come from the Recreation budget. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the $40 be allotted for the Easter Egg Hunt, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read an invitation to a reception by the Chestertown Arts League for the 52nd Open Juried Show on Sunday, April 2, 2000 from 3 to 5 p.m. The awards ceremony will be at 4:00 p.m. on that date.

Mayor Bailey said she had met with a group established to get recognition or certification to be a site form the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. She said they are planning events every year for the next three years. She said they do not have lists of all of the Korean Veterans from the area and anyone who served is asked to contact the Mayor at home (410-778-1912) or at the Town Hall at 410-778-0500.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any comments or questions. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked if there could be a general cleanup day in Town where people could have bulk trash items picked up free. Mr. Ingersoll said the Council would have to approve that and he felt there would have to be some limitations. Mayor Bailey said the County had something last year for specific items, paint cans, etc. and tires.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she had distributed a letter written by Mr. Walbert about problems in his neighborhood. Mayor Bailey said she has discussed this with Chief Bradley and will respond to Mr. Walbert.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz discussed the issue of safety of children with warm weather coming. She asked that parents and others in the community be aware of the need for the safety of children. She also discussed an article in the Modern Maturity magazine regarding Social Security benefits.

Mayor Bailey reminded the Council of the County's meetings on the County Land Use Ordinance on March 22 and 23, 2000 at the Commissioner's Hearing Room.

There being no further business, Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bill be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously. Mr. Bristoll moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:00 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Joan Merryman
Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey
Mayor