Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. In attendance were Council members Mabel Mumford-Pautz, James R. Johnson, W. Whaland Clark 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 Mayor and Council meetings or executive session of July 6, 2004. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Ms. Stead stated that an executive summary was held directly following the Mayor and Council meeting of July 6, 2004 to discuss a personnel matter. All members of the Mayor and Council were present. One motion was made which passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $231,635.27.

Chief Coryell distributed pictures of new radar equipment purchased to measure speed along the streets. Mr. Ingersoll added that this would also store information of all vehicles for weeks at a time so the Town could track how fast people were traveling.

Chief Coryell stated that for the month of June 2004, the Chestertown Police Department made twenty-four (24) adult arrests involving the placement of fifty-three (53) separate charges. In addition, there were ten (10) juvenile arrests and ten (10) charges placed. There were two hundred ninety (290) traffic warnings issued, thirty-eight (38) traffic citations and a total of five hundred and six (506) calls for service.

Chief Coryell stated that a search and seizure warrant was processed and jointly executed by the Police Department, Kent County Sheriff, and Maryland State Police for drugs.

Chief Coryell stated that two (2) new police officers were hired and they would be introduced in August. They had begun field training and were certified officers from other jurisdictions.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had requests from residents for a centerline on High Street. Mr. Sterling was in discussions with the painters and the line would be painted shortly.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was in receipt of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Hotel Rental Tax for the Council to consider. He said that the County was changing the room rental tax from $.03 to $.05 and the County would, in turn, pay the equivalent of 1½ days of staffing for the Visitors Center ($6,000.00 annually) in return for keeping the additional $.02. The Memorandum also explained that the $.02 would be used exclusively for tourism development for the County.

Mr. Bristoll moved to accept the Memorandum of Understanding and authorized Mayor Bailey to sign all documents regarding the Memorandum of Understanding for the Council, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz.

Mayor Bailey read the Resolution of the Mayor and Council Approving and Authorizing the Submittal of a Management Plan for Certification of the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area and Certified Maryland Heritage Area into the record. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to adopt the Resolution, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the proposal by SHA for the center left-turn lane and no parking along Washington Avenue should be discussed. The Council had not heard from any of the residents. The consensus of the Council was to poll the Washington Avenue residents.

Mayor Bailey stated with regard to fireworks, that she felt the need to clarify that when it came to the 4 th of July fireworks, citizens had to realize most of the revenues to the Town came from property taxes, but 45% of the buildings in Town were tax exempt. She said that Rock Hall had fireworks each year which were funded by donations. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that if fireworks would be held in Chestertown next year, volunteers had to begin to find donations as soon as possible.

Mayor Bailey thanked Darlene Usilton for her work organizing the “Chestertown 1900” 4 th of July celebration.

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