MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
August 13, 2001

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Mabel Mumford-Pautz, J. Brian Kirby, William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Whaland Clark, Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Jennifer Stead, Stenographer and guests.

Mayor Bailey introduced Jen Stead as the new stenographer for Mayor and Council Meetings, Utilities Commission Meetings, Historic District Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting and the Executive Session of July 16, 2001. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

A summary of an executive session held on July 2, 2001 was read. The entire Mayor and Council was present and voted unanimously to go into Executive Session. A personnel matter was discussed involved the hiring of a police officer and Chief Walter Coryell was present. The action taken by Mayor and Council was by unanimous vote and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

An Executive Session was held on July 16, 2001 at 8:15 p.m. pursuant to Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The entire Mayor and Council was present and voted unanimously to go into executive session. The first item to be discussed was a personnel matter involving a police officer and Chief Walter Coryell was present. Following that, two legal matters were discussed. The last matter to be discussed was a contractual matter. The council voted in favor of purchasing the property adjacent to the Fire Company building by a vote of four in favor. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz abstained. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record

Chief Walter Coryell was asked to give his report and stated that there were 15 assaults, which is up from 7 in June. There were 10 civil citations, 5 thefts, 5 bad checks and other charges which amounted to 62 separate charges placed against 39 adult offenders. There were 3 juvenile arrests with 5 separate charges. The Chief stated that the assaults being up were probably related to the hot weather.

Chief Coryell stated that there are two police officers who are on limited duty until October and due to the significant reduction in manpower, they are providing the best coverage they can, including overlaps at critical hours.

Chief Coryell also reported that "CINI" (Children Involved in Neighborhood Improvement) had its first class on Tuesday and it went very well. There were nine young children from the Calvert Heights area who participated. There was a forty-five minute class at the beginning of the program where issues on recycling were discussed. Also discussed was the importance of appearance and the positive impact it has on the community. Pictures were passed around. There will be another session on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and on Thursday the 23rd. Chief Coryell thanked Mrs. Mumford-Pautz for bringing refreshments. T-Line provided t-shirts and JBK Hardware provided gloves. Chief Coryell expressed thanks to them. Mr. Bristoll thanked Chief Coryell for taking the project on.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that there is a problem at Calvert Heights with trash and debris being left in the yards. Mayor Bailey stated flyers would be handed out by the children at CINI to let citizens know that on August 23, 2001 dumpsters are going to be placed in designated areas of town for property owners to get rid of items that have accumulated in their yards. They will be placed on the 200 block of Lynchburg, 400 and 500 block of Cannon Street and 100 block of College Avenue.

Mayor Bailey pointed out that an existing employee is going to be appointed to make sure that property maintenance codes are followed. After that, first warning letters will be sent to those in violation of code. If a second note has to go out to that property owner, a fine will be attached.

Mr. Kirby expressed concerns to Chief Coryell about vandalism, drinking, trespassing, etc. at Washington Square Shopping Center. He asked Chief Coryell if he would be willing to speak to the Sergeant at Easton to discuss measures they have taken to stop these types of problems. He suggested charges for trespassing be issued. Chief Coryell stated that as well as police cooperation he would need cooperation from property owners and store managers. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that different landscaping could help cut down on joyriding through the parking lot. Chief Coryell also stated that lighting and signs could help, and promised to contact the owners of Washington Square.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an Executive Session meeting for a personnel matter and a request for purchasing town property. Mr. Kirby also requested a meeting for a personnel matter. Mr. Bristoll moved for the meeting under Section 10.508 Annotated Code of the State of Maryland, for two personnel matters and a contractual matter, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll introduced Lee Davis, who had finished the zoning approval process for a final apartment building at Kent Crossing Apartments, including a driveway from the last set of apartment buildings to High Street. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Planning Commission has approved the concept, but it needed the final decision of the Town Council concerning connections of new roads to existing streets. The location was to be between the Mench and Slagle properties on the 800 block of High Street.

Mr. Davis noted that there are going to be a total of 168 units and the idea for access to High Street is for construction purposes, as well as a second entrance for emergencies. It will be well lit with sidewalks and landscaping. There will be a sign at the entrance that says "Kent Crossing" and Mr. Davis preferred that the street not be named. He said that neither property owner at the entrance has objections to the addition of the access. Mr. Slagle was present and stated that Mr. Davis is giving concessions in the way of landscaping and a second entrance from the back for his family, so he is pleased with that.

Mayor Bailey asked if there could possibly be a speed bump added so that there would not be any speeding through the access. Mr. Ingersoll said that the Planning Commission discussed this and decided that there would be no speed bumps needed. Mr. Davis stated he would like to try the access without speed bumps, but if they were needed, he would certainly put them in. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she is opposed to this because she feels it will cause more traffic.

Mr. Kirby stated for the record that the Planning Commission is in place for a reason and he would not be comfortable overriding the Commission. Mr. Bristoll and Mr. Clark agreed. Mr. Clark moved to approve the entrance connecting with High Street as requested and was seconded by Mr. Bristoll. The application was approved with four in favor, Mrs. Mumford-Pautz opposed.

Mr. Ingersoll introduced Hunt Martin and Jack Stenger from the Rotary Club. They wished to present their final request for a Rotary bandstand at Wilmer Park. Mr. Ingersoll distributed a map of the Wilmer Park showing the location of a 20' octagonal bandstand that the Rotary intended to donate. He said that the Rotary had budgeted $15,000-$18,0000 to build it and requested that the Council consider and elevated brick floor as a donation to give it a more finished look. Mr. Bristoll moved that the pavilion be approved as requested, including a brick floor, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Jack Stenger stated that he would like to have the project completed before the end of the Rotary's 75th anniversary. He said the Rotary will dedicate the pavilion in memory of Reade Corr who was an outstanding Rotarian. There will be a plaque on the pavilion with his name on it.

Mr. Ingersoll discussed problems with peddling and solicitation permits and how they are processed. He used an itinerant furniture business currently in town as an example. They paid the fees that were approved in 1983, but they moved from place to place ending up in front of the Fire Company. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the ordinance needs to be updated. The current fee for 30 days is $150.00 for each person involved. However, it is impossible to monitor the activities of peddlers and the peddlers do not pay for all their employees in violation of the ordinance.

Mr. Ingersoll recommended that a 30-day permit be $1,000.00 for the entire business, and each company and peddler would have to have a business and background check. Mr. Ingersoll discussed this with Stewart Barroll, the town attorney. Mark Mumford also supplied information on what licenses companies have to have in order to peddle in Maryland. The application will be updated so that the following issues will be addressed:
· Property owner will give written permission and property must have the proper zoning
· The peddler must show evidence of having all the required state and county licenses before consideration will be given to a local peddler's permit
· The peddlers must agree to a business and background check
Mr. Ingersoll said that this new procedure would be introduced at the August 20th meeting.

Mr. Ingersoll introduced a letter received from Anne Vansant. Mr. Bristoll read the letter requesting that the blocks of Water Street on both sides of Maple Avenue be posted with "Resident Parking Only" signs and also that the State Highway Department, which controls the bridge, ask the bridge tender to park on the Queen Anne's side of the bridge. Mayor Bailey asked that the residents be polled to see how they feel about these signs.

Mr. Ingersoll stated he received an email from William Brockschmidt with reference to the Gingko tree (that was given a one-year removal reprieve at an earlier Council meeting). This year, as an experiment, it was supposed to be sprayed so that it would not bear fruit. Mr. Pardoe offered to do it, however, he did not know when to spray it and now the tree is bearing fruit. Mr. Brockschmidt's concern is that the fruit could fall and injure someone on the upcoming Candlelight Walking Tour. He also mentioned the odor from the fruit is has a foul-odor.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that it is recommended that we remove all female Gingko trees. The Town is in the position of trying to remove this foul fruit before it falls. Mr. Kirby stated he has no problem taking the tree down as long as one is put there in its place. Mr. Bristoll moved to remove the tree and was seconded by Mr. Clark. The vote was passed with three in favor. Mayor Bailey and Mrs. Mumford-Pautz opposed.

Mr. Ingersoll read the 2001 Elections schedule as follows:
August 30, 2001 Advertise Election and Deadline for Candidate Filing.
Advertise Voter Registration
September 6, 2001 Advertise Election and Deadline for Candidate Filing
September 7, 2001 Initial meeting of Board of Supervisors of Elections to
5:00 p.m. review any Petitions for Candidacy submitted
October 4, 2001 Advertise Election
October 8, 2001 Last Day for Voter Registration
Last Day for Candidate Filing
October 8, 2001 Meeting of Board of Supervisors of Elections for final
5:00 p.m. review of all Petitions for Candidacy submitted
October 11, 2001 Advertise Election
October 31, 2001 Last Day to Request Absentee Ballots
Tues., November 6, 2001 Election Day
November 7, 2001 Chestertown Board of Supervisors of Elections has final meeting to make the final count of all totals and certify the election.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that copies are available in the Town Office and had some available for any interested parties.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions or comments.

Gail Register asked that the whole area of Chestertown be looked at with reference to parking problems. Her reason for this is that any time "Resident Only Parking" signs go up, the problem only moves a couple blocks over. Mayor Bailey stated that this would be taken into consideration and looked into.

John Anderson addressed the Council for an opportunity to work with the youth in the community. His goal is to deter people from going to prison. Mayor Bailey stated that it is her main priority to find a safe place for children to play. Mayor Bailey commended Mr. Anderson for his enthusiasm. Mr. Anderson's probation officer, Carolyn Fidgeon, asked if Mr. Anderson could be involved in some way to work with the children. Council suggested that he go to the Recreation Commission where he could volunteer.

Mr. Clarke moved for the Council to pay bills, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:43 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer