Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. In attendance were Council members Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz, James R. Johnson and Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W.S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of October 6, 2003. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

The Chestertown Boy Scout Troop 130 was present to thank the Town for their sailing trip on the Sultana and presented a picture from the trip. Mr. Clark read into the record a Proclamation recognizing Boy Scout Troop 130 on their 75 th anniversary.

Chief Walter T. Coryell was present to give a report for the month of September. There were twenty-five (25) adult arrests with the placement of forty-two (42) separate charges. There were three (3) juvenile arrests with the placement of three (3) charges. Two (2) civil citations were issued and there were a total of eighty-three (83) motor vehicle citations and three hundred forty-seven (347) warnings.

Mr. Lee Secrest, Chairman of C300 was present to give an update on the committee's plans for the 300 th celebration of Chestertown. Mr. Secrest stated that there were two ideas he wanted to present to the Council for their thoughts. The first ideas was "Heritage in the Park", where a tent would be set up weekly in the Fountain Park. They hoped to host the National Chess Club Tournament, while presentations would be set up to extol heritage to the community.

Mr. Secrest stated that the committee's second idea was to have a "Chestertown Benchmark Contest" where artists and different groups in Town would build benches. All of the benches would reflect Chestertown's history or present life and would be in place in the downtown from early spring to the fall in 2006 and then would be auctioned off. Mr. Secrest added that the Town might decide to keep some of the benches on a permanent basis.

Mayor Bailey commended Mr. Secrest and the C300 Committee for their work over the past 18 months and welcomed both ideas as part of the tercentennial celebrations.

Mr. Darren Brozene from Washington College updated the Council about events on campus. There would be an Open House on November 15 th , the College was involved with the Chestertown Lion's Club and was preparing for the Chestertown Halloween Parade (which would be held on October 31 st ), and a meeting was held with off-campus students and the administration to address concerns. Minutes were taken and concerns would be addressed with the Town Council and Chief of Police at a later meeting. Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Brozene for his efforts and for coming to monthly meetings.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve Zoning Map Ordinance 8-03, changing zoning from R3 (two-family residential) to RB (Professional Office District) at 201 and 203 Maple Avenue. The Ordinance was read into the record at the October 6 th meeting. Mr. Bristoll seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Mr. Ingersoll stated that this Ordinance would become effective on November 9, 2003.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $375,000.00 were awarded to Chestertown for Shore Up, Inc. to acquire a building for use as a head-start center on Philosopher's Terrace. Mayor Bailey stated that a letter from Governor Ehrlich was received congratulating the Town on receiving the grant.

Mayor Bailey requested an executive session for a personnel matter. Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session for a personnel matter under Section 10-508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland to go into executive session directly following the Mayor and Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that MVA changed hours of operations and would be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. when the bus was in Town. Mayor Bailey read the services offered by the MVA bus.

Mayor Bailey stated that Emmanuel Church was holding an Open House on Wednesday, October 29 th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Bailey stated that she would like Chief Coryell and the police force to check for the cars parked on the yellow lines in Town. She said it was becoming a problem for the Town, especially at the Post Office. Mr. Bristoll brought up violations happening at Cross Street and Maple Avenue and also at Cross and High Streets. Chief Coryell stated that he was going to request collapsible cones for the area at the post office and said that he would follow up on the other areas.

Mayor Bailey stated that a letter was received from Kees deMooy, a member of the Historic District Commission, announcing his resignation. Mayor Bailey complimented Mr. DeMooy for his work on the Commission and thanked him for his time.

Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Ingersoll for his work during Hurricane Isabel. Mayor Bailey and the Council presented him with a gift collage of photographs from the storm.

There being no further business, Mr. Clark made a motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m., was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor