Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and James Johnson, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. Clark moved that the minutes of the meeting of February 17, 2004 be approved as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey called on Andrew McCown from Echo Hill Outdoor School. Mr. McCown stated that the school would like to bring two small ships, the Spirit and the Twilight, into Town and keep them at the Cannon Street pier from the end of June through August. He said these small ships are used for the summer programs for local school children. He said the two larger ships would not be in Town during the week at that time as they are used five days a week out at the school and they are brought in Town only on the weekends.

Mr. Bristoll said that the Echo Hill School was out of conformance with the Lease agreement they had signed. He said the Lease allowed Echo Hill to keep two ships at they pier and they have been keeping more. He asked that Mr. McCown write out the schedule of their programs and exactly which boats they wish to have in Town and when and, if necessary, a new lease will be drawn. He said the Town has always intended that the dock will be used for transient boaters.

Mayor Bailey suggested that Mr. McCown write up the schedule, discuss the matter with Mr. Ingersoll and the Council will review it at the next meeting. Mr. McCown said he would do that.

Mayor Bailey called on Daren Brozene, the Student Government President from Washington College, for a report. Mr. Brozene reported on recent events at the College. He stated that Baird Tipson had been selected as the new president and Dr. Toll will be there to assist for the rest of the semester. He stated that this would be the last Town meeting he would attend since the SGA will elect a new president at the end of March and he thanked the Mayor and Council for their cooperation with the College. Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Brozene and asked him to bring the new SGA president to the Town meeting to continue the reports from the College to the Council.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Council had received copies of the Planning Commission Annual Report and asked them to review it for approval at the next meeting. After approval the report is sent to the State Department of Planning. He said the Planning Commission met at least 24 times last year, many of which were workshops specifically for the comprehensive plan. He said the Commission will regularly begin their meeting at 7:00 p.m. for a planning session and the agenda for applicants will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Ingersoll said he will attend a meeting of the Critical Area Commission in Annapolis on Wednesday, March 3, 2004. The Commission will be adding the Town's recent annexation to the Town's Critical Area plan. He said this should not change the planned development that was in the process now.

Mr. Ingersoll said he will attend the County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 to disucss Mr. Morris's recent remarks concerning the Chester River Landing project the BNR upgrade at the lagoon.

Mayor Bailey said that the Council had been provided with a Memorandum of Understanding with a proposal by the County Commissioners to raise the hotel tax from 3% to 5%. She said currently the County collects the tax and the Town gets the money. She said the County would like the increase of 2% to remain with the County to develop tourism. She asked Mr. Ingersoll to comment. Mr. Ingersoll said there are five towns being asked to turn back the 2%, but Chestertown is the only one with a Visitor's Center that serves visitors for the whole county. He said without the Tourism Development Office in the Visitor's Center as expected the Town does not have the sharing of the staffing for the building that we expected. The agreement with the County for space in the Visitor's Center was for five years, one of which has passed. He said at the least the County should split the increase, giving 1% of the increase to the Town and retaining 1%. He said the Town has to staff the Visitor's Center on its own and the Town has a huge responsibility for taking care of the tourism in Kent County.

Mayor Bailey said the Visitor's Center had 8500 people visit in the first year it was open and that shows a lot of time and care of the visitors to all of Kent County. She asked the Council for their response to the proposal.

Mr. Bristoll moved that the 2% increase in the hotel tax be approved but that it be shared with 1% of the increase going to Kent County and 1% of the increase coming to Chestertown and was seconded by Mr. Clark. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she was in favor of the increase but felt the Town should get all the funds since it built and runs the Kent County Visitor's Center. The vote carried with a vote of 4 in favor, Mrs. Mumford-Pautz opposed.

Mayor Bailey stated that on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 Bob Ward Company will be meeting with Coventry I residents at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

Mayor Bailey called on Carol Calloway of Kent Center, Inc. Ms. Calloway stated she wanted to thank the Mayor and Council for their support and for sponsoring the Block Grant pass through for their project.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions or comments. Ms. Sheila Lieden discussed the problem with trash in various areas, particularly on Spring Avenue and Washington Avenue. She also discussed the odor from the turkey vultures that are back in the wooded area. Mayor Bailey said the Town crew and trucks are constantly gathering up trash all over town. She said she will talk to the new convenience store owners about placing a trash can on their property and Bill will look into putting a trash container back on Spring Avenue and Calvert Street.

Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to approve the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor