MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
June 17, 2002

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:31 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 June 3, 2002 or the executive session of June 3, 2002. Mr. Kirby moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated an executive session was held at 8:37 p.m. following the Mayor and Council meeting of June 3, 2002, to discuss personnel and legal matters. The entire Mayor and Council was present and voted unanimously to go into executive session. No motions were made or passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. Minutes were taken and were part of the record.

Mayor Bailey stated cash on hand and in the banks was $357,091.96.

Mr. Ingersoll discussed the previously introduced ordinance to change the parking fines from $3.00 to $5.00. Mr. Bristoll moved to adopt Ordinance #3-02 to increase the parking meter fines from $3.00 to $5.00, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that at the last meeting there was a Resolution discussed changing the fee schedule for building and zoning permits in the Town of Chestertown. Mr. Ingersoll explained it would be an "across the board" increase in a building fee schedule that had not been amended for ten years. Mr. Ingersoll explained Chestertown was still low in permit fees compared with other jurisdictions. Mr. Clark moved to amend the permit fee schedule for zoning and building permits, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the double-sided fence abutting the Rolling Road properties in College Heights would be started in about two weeks. He wanted to meet with any concerned residents regarding the exact location of the fence. He stated the fence did not need to run directly down the property, and there could be offsets, and the property owners could keep their mature trees. Each property owner would get a letter giving them permission to use the Town land, if the fence was not on the boundary line. He stated property owners could call the Town Office with their specific requests.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Crazy Days would be held on July 25, 26 and 27. He requested the Council continue the policy of free parking for those days. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved for free parking on July 25, 26 and 27 was seconded by Mr. Clark and unanimously carried.

Mr. Ingersoll stated there was a request from Grubb Contractors to run a construction fence along Emmanuel Church during renovations. The project would last between 5 to 7 months. In order to safely do the job the church needed to put a fence around the sidewalk, rerouting pedestrians through the courthouse or across the street. There was a plan submitted to the Town Office. The Council did not object to fencing along Memorial Plaza and around the corner along Cross Street for the construction period.

Mr. Charles Shivery, from Elkton Sparkler, was present and stated that his company was located in Cecil County. He wanted a permit to sell sparklers and ground-based sparkling devices. He stated that Maryland allowed new sparkling devices and he wanted to sell them at a tent location, in front of the Pizza Hut at Kent Plaza Shopping Center. Mr. Ingersoll stated the company had 5 million dollars of liability insurance and they had a permit from the State Fire Marshall to sell the merchandise. Mr. Shivery wanted to sell merchandise from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for 10 days starting June 26th.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she opposed the application as it presented a danger to the community. Chief Coryell stated that the police department also opposed the application and would not encourage it. Mr. Kirby stated their fireworks were already sold in local stores and that should suffice. Mr. Clark agreed. Mr. Shivery stated that he would like to use the tent for a non-profit fundraiser, but was selling the fireworks in the Royal Farms store.

The Council agreed that the permit would not be approved.

Mayor Bailey stated that Officer Yiannakis would be receiving one of the "Top Cop" awards in Ocean City, MD, on June 25th, from the Maryland Municipal League Police Executive Nominations Committee. Mayor Bailey stated that anyone on the Council who would like to attend was welcome.

Mayor Bailey stated there was concern over the crosswalk in front of the post office. People were too often not paying attention to the pedestrians. Mayor Bailey suggested a sign and Chief Coryell suggested better hatching on the street, so it could be seen as a crosswalk. Mr. Kirby stated the bigger problem in that area was people parking illegally, so the crosswalk was not visible. He stated that the yellow curb had to be enforced. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz suggested cones in the area and stated they should also be put on the corner where "Nearly New" was located.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that hatching could be tried first. He also stated that it had been painted within the last year, but the area did have a lot of traffic. He said people always parked on the yellow line at the corner which caused a mass of confusion.

Mayor Bailey stated that she was in receipt of a letter from Bill Kirk, President of Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital. The letter was going to be forwarded to State Highway Administration, but the request was for a "right-turn only" from Brown Street onto Washington Avenue.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that all of the residents of Brown Street should be polled. He also stated that once the Rt. 213 lights were synchronized, it may allow cars a better opportunity to exit from Brown Street. Mr. Kirby stated that if the right-turn only was allowed it would cause additional traffic on Philosopher's Terrace. Mayor Bailey stated that the Campus Avenue light would be installed in 6-9 months.

Mayor Bailey stated that there were many residents from College Heights at the meeting and that she had hoped to have information for them, but did not. The questions from the residents were legal questions and could not be answered by anyone other than Mr. Barroll. Mayor Bailey stated there would be a statement as soon as any further information was received. However, Local, State and Federal Laws were being researched and it would take some time.

Mr. Steve Atkinson, President of the College Heights Association, stated when any information was received he could be reached at 810-3196.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she had trouble with the kids using skateboards. She stated they were dangerous and they were causing damage to the brick and sidewalks. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that there had to be more programs for the children. Mayor Bailey stated that there could be alternatives offered, but if a child wanted to skateboard, they were going to skateboard. Mr. Kirby stated that in other Towns the violation was on behalf of the parents, once a child had received a warning. Chief Coryell stated he would look into what other jurisdictions were doing about skateboarding.

Mr. Hill stated that tennis would be held every Wednesday (vice Thursday) at 6:00 p.m. at the Middle School.

Mr. Hill stated that the basketball courts at Ajax were coming along, and they had been primed and were in the process of being painted. The rims were to be put up the next day. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had spoken with Mr. Sharretts about getting a surface treatment used on basketball courts to give it a different color and highlight the foul lines.

Mayor Bailey reminded the citizens that it was up to property owners to keep their homes clean and that the code enforcement officer would be out to check on them.

Mr. Bristoll made a motion to pay bills, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Bristoll moved to for an executive session under Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, Mr. Clark moved to close the meeting at 8:08 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey
Mayor