Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. In attendance were Council members Mabel Mumford-Pautz, W. Whaland Clark, James R. Johnson and Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., 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 Mayor and Council meeting or executive session of April 5, 2004. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Ms. Carla Massoni, a downtown merchant, was present to discuss “First Friday”, where the shops downtown would be open the first Friday of every month from 5pm to 8pm. She said that the arts community would also hold their special events during those evenings. She hoped this would give the local community an opportunity to come to the shops. She said the merchants have all agreed to try “First Friday” for a year. She said that in the future the DCA might ask the Council to fund some of the costs of “First Friday”.

Mayor Bailey stated that Originia Graves had submitted a permit for a block party on June 26 th and read the request into the record. It would be held on the upper block of Calvert Street from the corner of Garnett School to the Gospel Church of God. She said booths would be set up dealing with “prevention” issues and the party would run from 12pm to 5pm. Mayor Bailey stated that the vendors would have to get permits and all homeowners on the block should be advised that the block party was going on. Mayor Bailey suggested that Ms. Graves receive permission for the block party from the residents on the block and then return for approval. The Council agreed.

Mr. Ryan Grim and Mr. Ian Kennedy were present to give a presentation on park value to real estate which was their joint master’s thesis that they had prepared for their Masters’ Degree in Public Policy at the University of Maryland. Mr. Grim gave an overview of the thesis. Mr. Kennedy stated that the area around LaMotte was used in the thesis because the County purchased it and weighing different options other than open space. He said he saw more benefits from leaving it open space than from developing the area.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ordinance #2004-1 Amendment to Section 160 of the Code of the Town of Chestertown under Vehicles and Traffic was ready for adoption at this meeting. The Ordinance change would change Mt. Vernon Avenue and part of Brown Street (from the right side from Washington Avenue to the beginning of property 103 Brown Street) to a residential parking zone. It also defined resident to mean, “the persons residing in the homes in the area designated, who will register their vehicle license numbers with the Chestertown Police Department, and whose registered vehicles only were designated to park in the residential zones”. Mr. Clark moved to adopt Ordinance #2004-1 as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Chief Coryell stated that he thought enforcement of resident only parking would be accomplished better if they issued stickers for cars. He said this way the parking enforcement officer would know immediately if a car was in violation. Mayor Bailey asked that the Police Department look into the cost of the stickers and how to implement it.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Arbor Day was Tuesday, April 27 th and trees would be available at the Kent County Courthouse and Town hall from 10am to 4pm. There would be a ceremony in front of the courthouse on that day at 1:15 pm.

Mayor Bailey read the Proclamation for the Kent County Arbor Day Celebration into the record.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that tree bids were opened on Friday, April 23 rd. There were two sealed bids, from Pardoe Lawn & Tree Service totaling $8,786.50 and Chesapeake Landscape and Design of Easton totaling $5,265.00. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would check out the low bidder and recommended the Town hire the low bidder. Mr. Clark moved to approve Chesapeake Landscape and Design of Easton for $5,265.00 for street trees. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Planning Commission requested the Mayor and Council to allow them to hire an engineer to review the plans for Coventry II for possible alternatives and storm water facilities. They also asked that the Mayor and Council hire a forester to review the aforestation/reforestation plan to ensure it was in compliance with the Town’s Ordinances. Mr. Ingersoll stated that they could commit up to $1,000.00 for each review. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to hire a forester and engineer to review the plans for Coventry II as requested by the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had reviewed the Kent County Dog Ordinance and it was not substantially different than the Town’s Dog Ordinance. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town dog ordinance could be rescinded in order to incorporate the County’s Ordinance. Any parts of the existing Ordinance that were Town specific could be kept.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Council received the Maryland State Clearinghouse Review for the Sale of Excess Property from the Maryland Rail Administration, consisting of 24,000 square feet of land located on Route 289 and Queen Street, immediately in front of Stepne Place. He said room for a trail system would be left and the land would go on the tax roles. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the easement for the trail should be recorded as part of the settlement. Mayor Bailey asked that Mr. Ingersoll write a letter to the owners that the Town was in agreement with the sale and noting the 20’ easement along the property for the a possible future trail.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that a budget schedule had been given to the Council with a preliminary budget to be introduced on May 3 rd with a workshop on May 11 th at 6pm. The introduction of the budget would be on May 17 th at a Council meeting. A public hearing would take place on June 7 th. The Council agreed with the schedule.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had previously discussed areas that were annexed as County Critical Areas. The Critical Areas Commission had approved the areas, but buffer exempt areas in the Town’s old plans would not suffice for the annexed area. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would draft new modified buffer area provisions and would present them at the next meeting.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Sunday, April 25 th was household hazardous waste collection day from 10am to 3pm at the Centreville Middle School bus loop.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that several vacant lot properties were for sale in Chestertown. 314-316 Cannon Street was under contract by Mr. and Mrs. James F. Barry for infill housing at a purchase price of $50,000. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the 2003-04 budget called for the sale of $75,000.00 worth of excess property.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an executive session for three (3) contractual matters directly following the meeting. Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session directly following the meeting under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was in receipt of a letter from the hospital for requesting parking in front of the hospital on Brown Street and Roberts Drive. A sketch was included. This would create an additional twenty-one (21) spaces which would become available for exclusive hospital use during peak hours between 7am to 5pm.

Mayor Bailey stated that a meeting should be held with Washington College and the hospital to discuss parking issues. Chief Coryell stated that there was no way to enforce the parking because anybody could say that they were at the hospital on legitimate business. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that the people who drove the valet shuttle might be able to hand out vouchers to people parking along those blocks. Chief Coryell would look into options for vouchers and ways to enforce them.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there had been no further information on the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the tax bill. Mayor Bailey stated that there had to be a guarantee from the County that these funds would be used for advertising and not any other budget issues. Mayor Bailey stated that she would like to get on the Commissioner’s next agenda to speak about the room rental tax increase.

Mayor Bailey stated that she was in receipt of an application for a change of liquor license for LaRouta Restaurant to include the sale of liquor. There would be a hearing at 9:45am on May 4 th, in the Commissioner’s hearing room. Any comments should be made at that time.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Victorian 4 th of July in Chestertown was going to be themed “Chestertown 1900”. Entertainment in the form of music from the era, characters in costume, and food vendors were being arranged. Committees were formed and working on ideas. Mayor Bailey stated that there was a question as to whether the Farmer’s Market could be on Sunday rather than Saturday that weekend. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would speak to the head of the Farmer’s Market to see if they wanted to attend and then the Council could take action with a motion. All events would begin after church services at approximately 12:30pm.

Mayor Bailey stated that Dr. James Grant from the Health Department passed away. She read a Proclamation acknowledging Dr. Grant’s thirty-two (32) years as a Health Department Officer, improving living conditions, providing a safe and healthy environment, and bettering the community.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she had a long list of improvements for her ward. She said that she would like to get things cleaned up in the area before school let out for summer vacation.

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

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor