MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
April 15, 2002

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:42 p.m. In attendance were Mabel Mumford-Pautz, J. Brian Kirby, Whaland Clark, Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting of April 8, 2002. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $552,522.97.

Mr. Edler was present and presented Chief Coryell with a picture commemorating his first year as Chief of the Chestertown Police Department. Mayor Bailey thanked Chief Coryell for his work over the year.

Chief Coryell stated that for the month of March 2002, there were 18 adult arrests, with 53 separate charges placed. There were 19 thefts, 6 assaults, 5 CDS, and 2 DWI's. There were 11 juvenile arrests, with 14 charges placed. There were 3 for possession of alcohol, 3 assaults, 3 disorderly conducts, 2 thefts, and 1 CDS. In addition, there were 24 traffic citations issued, 6 traffic arrests, and 2 were for DWI. There were 128 parking citations issued, primarily by Ms. Beck.

Chief Coryell stated he was asked to be the commencement speaker at the Warwick Technical College for the graduation of the police class on June 13th. He stated the Town had also recruited one of the graduates from the class.

Ms. Farmer returned to remind the audience that the "One World Unity Festival" would be held on Saturday, April 20th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Wilmer Park.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a request from Jim Fraine, the Vice President of Marketing for Chico's, wanting to use Town property and buildings for a catalog shoot on June 5 and June 6, 2002. There would be no blockage of sidewalks or pedestrian rights- of- way. Shop owners would be notified and their permission obtained before any photography would begin. Proof of insurance would be provided to the Town before the start of the photo shoot. The Commission agreed to the request.

Mr. Ingersoll received a letter from Rosie Hawkins, of the Alumni Office at Washington College. She was requesting a Town Permit for a party at the pavilion on Thursday, May 16th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, May 17th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, May 18th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Thursday night party was for the senior class, Friday was for the class of 1982, and Saturday night was for the class of 1977. The Council agreed to the request.

Mr. Ingersoll stated he went to a meeting at the library about the Sailor Network. Proposed was an Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland wireless system. Mr. Ingersoll stated space was available for public entities such as the County and the Town. He stated it was free if a tower could be centrally located. He stated there were several towers that were in Town, and thought one might be available for the network. Mr. Ingersoll stated he was going to provide information on the tower heights to see if they could be used. He thought it would be a great thing to have at the Visitor's Center as well. He stated the Sailor Network would also provide the Town Government Homepage and maintenance of it for free.

Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session under Sec. 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland following the meeting to discuss three personnel matters, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll reminded the Council and guests that the budget process would begin on May 6th.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Tuesday, April 23rd was Arbor Day. Festivities would begin at 1:00 p.m. in front of the Courthouse.

Mayor Bailey stated that the County Commissioner's were in receipt of a request for a liquor license from David and Katherine Glover, of Worton, who wanted to open a wine and cheese shop/restaurant called the "Crystal Decanter", at 337 High Street. The hearing was scheduled for April 30th, at 9:45 a.m. She stated if the Council had any objections, they needed to advise her before the meeting.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she would like to know the proposed hours of operation for the shop. Mayor Bailey stated there would be off sales and Sunday sale privileges as well. Ms. Merryman would be asked to find out the hours of operation.

Mayor Bailey stated the issue of off-street parking on Church Alley needed to be discussed. The area in question was Church Alley near the Queen Street corner, by Mr. Dahut and Mr. Behr's homes. The area had been recently designated for two-hour parking.

Mr. Clark stated he made observations of the area and spoke to the residents and saw no reason why parking could not be changed to residential parking from the commercial section down Church Alley to Queen Street, keeping the other areas to two-hour parking.

Mayor Bailey read a letter from David Wright, dated April 8th, into the record. Mr. Wright had requested residential parking permits. Mayor Bailey stated she was not in favor of the idea of residential parking permits. Mayor Bailey stated the parking problem was at night, when there would not be anybody to patrol the area. Mayor Bailey thought Mr. Clark's recommendation was sufficient. Mr. Kirby thought parking permits would create chaos and would be difficult to enforce properly.

Mr. Ingersoll stated Mr. Wright signed the petition presented at the last meeting by Mr. Dahut, endorsing the change.

Mr. Clark moved to change the parking on the end of Church Alley starting at the rear of Mr. Behr's property from two-hour commercial to residential, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Resa Andrews, 411 Bell Avenue, a representative from The Concerned Citizens of Foxley Manor and College Heights was present, and stated it had come to their attention that most mental health facilities in Chestertown and the County were non-conforming in accordance with zoning in the County and the Town. She suggested a moratorium on implementation of the location of any mental health facilities until there was compliance with local ordinances in the Town and the County.

Mr. Ingersoll stated their concern was brought to the Town attorney for his determination as to whether or not the proposed uses were exempt from local zoning. He stated he forwarded the e-mails from concerned residents to Mr. Barroll. He said it was a legal matter which was being addressed by the Town attorney.

Dr. Bradley Skelcher, 415 Greenwood Avenue, had the same concerns and stated that he would like to see the non-compliance records for the properties currently being used as group homes throughout the neighborhood and the Town of Chestertown. He stated, in his opinion, as having some expertise on the subject, they were not in compliance with the R1 and R2 family zoning. The homes were group homes, not families and he wanted to see where they applied for whatever non-compliance use, and if they did not, he thought there was a problem with violating the residential zoning ordinances that existed.

Mr. Ingersoll stated the Town attorney was researching the matter. Mr. Ingersoll explained that group homes were exempt from State zoning and never went through a conditional use hearing.

Dr. Skelcher stated he would also like to see the State of Maryland's ordinances on the subject. He thought the State did not have the ordinances, and if they did, would not supercede what the local community zoned. Mr. Ingersoll stated the Mr. Barroll would address the issue, but it was not an ordinance, it was part of the Annotated Code.
Dr. Skelcher asked why the issue was not proactive and addressed in the past. He thought the residents deserved a chance to address the issues. Mayor Bailey stated it had not been seen as problem before this, and the issue was with Mr. Barroll.

Mr. Kirby stated that there would be a meeting on Friday, April 19th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Board of Education Administration Building on Washington Avenue, hosted by Crossroad's Community, and facilitated by Chip MacCloud. He stated it was open to everyone, but especially to the residents of the 3rd and 4th wards. This would be a good time to address concerns, although the legal matter would not be answered there. Mr. Kirby stated that legally, whatever could be done to come to a solution to the problem, was being done.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Mayor and Council were not taking this issue lightly and that everything possible was being done to protect the citizens of the community.

Mr. Clark made a motion for payment of bills, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey
Mayor