Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m. In attendance were council members Mabel Mumford-Pautz, James R. Johnson and Whaland Clark, 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 previous meeting of November 3, 2003. Mr. Clark moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash in hand and in banks was $793,642.67.

Mr. Bud Wallace of Wallace & Company was present to present the audit for June 30,2003. Mr. Wallace gave the Town an unqualified opinion, which was the highest opinion that could be achieved. He said that the Town staff should be commended for their efforts and explained the audit to the Mayor and Council.

Mr. Darren Brozene from Washington College was present and stated that over the past month there was a clothing drive for Hunger and Homelessness week and it was also Internation Week. He said that there would be a leadership meeting from 7-9 p.m. on November 20, 2003 for off-campus students to discuss concerns. He also said that Washington College was trying to come up with a class ring that would be introduced during the second semester.

Mr. Brozene stated that he met with Mayor Bailey and Chief Coryell regarding off-campus concerns. He said that it was a beneficial meeting for everyone and he would continue to work with Mayor Bailey and Chief Coryell to help with problems that were occurring off-campus.

Mr. Brozene stated that he would attend the next Mayor and Council meeting with an update as the college would be on winter break during the second meeting in December.

Mr. Brozene introduced Alana Wase to the Mayor and Council. Ms. Wase stated that she was a member of the Student Environmental Alliance who explained that the Sierra Club brought forth information that a 58-acre rubble fill was proposed just one mile away from Unicorn Lake, which was located in Millington. She said over time, this would impact the Chester River as the lake fed into it. A hearing would be held on December 4 th at 7:00 p.m. and she wanted to notify residents. There was also a petition being passed around that she asked people to sign. Mayor Bailey suggested that Ms. Wase attend the Millington Town Council meeting and also contact Brian Wilson at WCTR.

Chief Coryell stated that for the month of October 2003 the Chestertown Police Department made thirty-three (33) adult arrests involving the placement of fifty-three (53) separate charges. There were sixteen (16) for CDS, ten (10) for possession of alcohol under the age of twenty-one, four (4) for assault, four (4) for DWI, and the rest for other offenses. During that same period there were twelve (12) juvenile arrests with the placement of twelve (12) charges. In addition there were nine (9) civil citations issued with seven hundred and six (706) calls for service.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the audit had to be accepted by the Mayor and Council and said that he would like them to review it and if acceptable pass it at the December meeting.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the election results from the November election had to be certified and transmitted into the record. Mr. Ingersoll read from the minutes, "Mrs. Needles stated that there were five (5) sealed ballots that had been timely received, she opened each ballot and they were reviewed with Ms. Hopkins and Mr. Johnson. The absentee count votes were three (3) for James R. Johnson, Ward Four, and two (2) votes for W. Whaland Clark, Second Ward. The final vote count was as follows: Second Ward, W. Whaland Clark forty-two (42) votes and and Fourth Ward, James R. Johnson, thirty-six (36) votes. The final vote count was as follows: Second Ward, Whaland Clark, forty-two (42) votes, two (2) absentee for a total of forty-four (44). Fourth Ward, James R. Johnson, thirty-six (36) votes, three (3) absentee, total thirty-nine (39). There was one (1) write-in vote for Gordon Browning. The total number of votes cast in the election was eighty-four (84)".

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would be attending Garnett Elementary School for Career Day Participation. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked Mr. Ingersoll to mention the contest that the MML had each year to the fourth graders.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was in receipt of a letter from Kent County Parks and Recreation stating that during the 2003 Legislative Session the Governor signed into law HB444 authorizing the Comptroller of the Treasury to terminate authority of appropriated capital funds. There were three major sections of the bill that affected programs. Mr. Ingersoll read that Kent County had about $91,000.00 of unencumbered local program open-space acquisition but the funds could only be used for open-space for active or passive recreation. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the last four (4) acres of the park by the Hospital could be bought. He said he thought the hospital board would consider the exact amount due to the circumstance. Mr. Bristoll moved to proceed with the acquisition of land by the hospital in the amount of $91,000.00, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the plans for the foot of Cannon Street were complete. He said that the bulkhead was sunken by the Cannon Street Pier from the boardwalk around to the Old Wharf. Mr. Luttrell designed pilings to go in on the outboard side behind the existing pilings with a boardwalk going over the top going over the old bulkhead.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Mr. Urie had used concrete pavers in the Betty Anne Connolley Garden and he showed pictures of the project.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an executive session for personnel matters. Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland directly following the Mayor and Council meeting to disucss personnel matters, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved to appoint Mr. Robert Kestell to the Historic District Commission for a three (3) year term. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Christmas Decorations would be judged on December 14 th . The categories were based on best nighttime decorations and best daytime decorations. The Council was asked to have the votes for their wards in by December 12 th at noon.

Mayor Bailey reminded residents that there would be no trash removal on November 27 th , Thanksgiving Day.

Mayor Bailey stated that the DCA would like to waive parking meter fees from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to waive meter fees from Thanksgiving Day through New Year's Day, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Council of Government was meeting at the Black Eyed Susan on Wednesday, November 19 th at noon.

Mayor Bailey stated that on Friday, November 28, 2003 at 7p.m. Santa would arrive and the Town lights would be turned on.

Mayor Bailey tried to explain the new yield sign at Route 291 and Route 20 as described in a letter by the SHA. She read the SHA letter into the record. Mayor Bailey said that when driving North on High Street, when making the right onto Rt. 291 the driver must yield to the auto making a left from High Street.

There being no further business, Mr. Clark moved for payment of the bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor