MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 7, 1999

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 8:17 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Thomas A. Gross, Sr., Mabel Mumford-Pautz, and J. Brian Kirby, Capt. Robert Edler, 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 workshop and meeting of May 17, 1999. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey called on Capt. Edler for the monthly report. Capt. Edler gave the report for the month of May. Mayor Bailey asked if there any questions. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked if there was any information on the break-in at Synergy Gas. Capt. Edler said there are no suspects at this time.

Mayor Bailey called on Mary Ann Haske who has asked to speak to the Council about handicapped access to sidewalk in Town. Mrs. Haske said there are places in Chestertown where there are either no handicapped cuts that line up across a particular intersection or where handicapped ramps are not flush with the street. She said there are some places that are dangerous and some places where "you can't get there from here." She said she had a list of examples she would be happy to provide to the Town. She also said there was also a need for some handicapped parking spaces that are wider, maybe angled, which would allow room for a handicapped access van. She discussed the new sidewalks being installed and access to the shopping center. Ms. Haske suggested that the Town mark on the little maps that show parking where handicapped access curbs are located. Mayor Bailey agreed that was a good idea.

Mr. Ingersoll explained the work being done on the sidewalks on Rt. 213 and 291 and stated that the Town will continue to work on them and connect the various portions. He will meet with Ms. Haske and go around Town to see where changes need to be made in the sidewalk ramps.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll said that Upper Shore Aging has requested that the Town grant another year of free use in this building for the Senior Center. The first 15 years of rent were free since the Town used a State Office of Aging grant of $200,000 to fit out the second and third floors of Town Hall for a Senior Center. Mr. Burke's letter stated that they did not get any funding from Kent County to pay rent during the next fiscal year. Mr. Ingersoll said that the present agreement with the Senior Center expires on October 1, 1999. He said the next fiscal year would begin on July 1, 2000 and recommended an extension to that date. He said the proposed income from their rent was not included in the Town's budget. He stated that the Town had built the Senior Center, given the seniors a home and he knew they appreciated the 15 years of free rent and utilities.

Mr. Bristoll moved that the Senior Center be permitted to remain in the Town Hall building under the present agreement from October 1, 1999 to the end of the budget year which would be July 1, 2000, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said that the Town has put in about 1600 ft. of sidewalk under the Retrofit program. He said $25,000 of retrofit money was available from money that Easton did not use and we were told to spend it before June 30. He said the Town has had cooperation with property owners on Rt. 213. He said Masten's donated the plastic decking for a footbridge across a ditch and he thanked Masten's.

Mr. Ingersoll reminded everyone of the public hearing on the SOS Community Block Grant application which will begin at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, June 21, 1999.

Mr. Ingersoll said that on June 12, 1999 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. residents may take household hazardous waste materials to Nicholson transfer site. He said this was an opportunity for residents to clean out their old paint cans and garden chemicals and take them free to Nicholson.

Mr. Ingersoll asked the Council if they would adopt the budget for 1999-2000 as Ordinance No. 1-99. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that Ordinance #1-99 be adopted, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the MML conference would be held from June 27 to 30, 1999. She reminded the Council of the Eastern Shore Association Dinner on Monday, June 28 and asked that reservations be made with Pat so she can send a check.

Mayor Bailey read and signed a Proclamation for the MS 150 Chestertown Challenge Bike Tour on June 12 and 13, 1999.

Mayor Bailey said that the first Music in the Park concert was held Saturday evening and there was a crowd of several hundred. The next concert will be Saturday, June 19, 1999. She thanked Marge Fallaw for all the work she has done organizing the concert series for five years.

Mayor Bailey read an announcement of an opening of an exhibition of paintings by Linda Hall at the Chestertown Bank on Thursday, June 10, 1999 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Mayor Bailey said that since the bypass had been removed from the plans for the State Highway Administration, she would like to have them address the issue of the preservation of the Chester River Bridge. She said that bridge was all that Chestertown's gets for access to the Town and the traffic continues to get heavier. She said she would like to invite the State Highway Engineer to the first meeting in August to hear what they have to say about the life of the bridge and if any measures are being taken for its preservation. The Council agreed that the Town should hear from the State about the bridge.

Mayor Bailey read an announcement of an open picnic for kids on Friday, June 25, 1999 from noon to 2 p.m. on the lawn at Christ Methodist Church. The picnic is sponsored by the Kent County Food Pantry.

Mayor Bailey said that on Thursday, June 10 there will be a judging of plantings, window boxes and street gardens for businesses and residences by the Beautification Committee.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions or comments. Carolyn Beachy asked that a bush be trimmed or removed from the old Pizza Hut property as you try to exit from Kent Plaza. She said you cannot see traffic coming into the shopping center. Mr. Ingersoll said he will take care of that.

Mr. Biddle submitted pictures of the street at the corner of Elm Street after the last rain. He said Elm was one of two streets that have not been repaved. He said they would like to have the street fixed so that the water would drain off.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she wanted to commend the street crew for the excellent job they did cleaning up after the Tea Party. She asked where she could get a detailed budget on the new Hot Spot grant. She said there was an informative meeting at the last OCNA meeting on all the agencies that are working towards improving the life for families in Town. She said was disappointed that more citizens do not attend and take part in continuing to make it an organization of community people helping each other. Mayor Bailey said that Patti Carter in the State's Attorney's office has all the paperwork and budget.

Mr. Kirby echoed the compliments to the town crew for the Tea Party cleanup. He suggested that they be rewarded for example with an extra day off between now and the end of the year as a way of saying thank you. He asked the Council to consider that suggestion and make a decision on it at the next meeting.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz, seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman (Stenographer)

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey (Mayor)