MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
July 16, 2001

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W. Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting, public hearing and executive session of July 2, 2001. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be approved as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously. Mayor Bailey stated that the summary of the executive summary will be read at the next meeting.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks of $511,997.65.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll said he had two legal matters and a property purchase to discuss with the Council.

Mr. Ingersoll said the fireworks show went very well. He said the show was 21 minutes long and although shorter than some in the past, it was very lively and a good show.

Mr. Ingersoll said Bill Ruckelshaus had a request to make of the Mayor and Council. Mr. Ruckelshaus said he was president of the DCA. He said that the store downtown will have their annual crazy days sale on July 26, 27 and 28, 2001. He asked that the Town not enforce the parking meters during crazy days. Mayor Bailey asked the Council if they were agree. The Councilmembers had no problem with not enforcing the meters for crazy days.

Mayor Bailey asked for a motion for an executive session for legal and property matters. Mr. Bristoll moved that an executive session be held following the meeting pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland to discuss legal and property matters, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to go back to the letter from State Highway Administration regarding maintaining the traffic light at College Avenue and High. She said the Town should analyze whether the light was still needed. She said we might be able to convert to a stop sign at that intersection. Mr. Clark asked about a blinking light. Mr. Ingersoll said his suggestion was to have it as a four way stop intersection. He said then everyone would be required to stop and it would slow down traffic, which would be good in light of the problems on High Street with speeding. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said there was steady traffic on High Street and when the light turns red it does allow people to cross the street. She said we have asked for a light at Rt. 20 and 291 and now SHA states they will no longer maintain an existing light.

Mr. Kirby asked if SHA had given any indication of the cost of a contract with them to maintain the traffic light. Mr. Ingersoll said they did not and he did not know where the nearest business that maintains traffic signals would be. He said there would still be the same need to repair a blinker as a regular light. Mayor Bailey suggested a survey be submitted to the residents in the area to see what they feel was needed.

The Council agreed to look at this question after SHA supplies the information on whether the intersection warrants a light. Mr. Ingersoll said he will also get information on the cost of a maintenance contract for repair of the light.

Mayor Bailey said she wished to discuss the status of 700 High Street. She said the Town had tried to sell the property and was unsuccessful. She said when the Town encourages people to keep up their properties and the Town owns one of the worst it was not good. She said she felt the time had come to make a decision on taking the building down. Mr. Clark said it looks terrible. Mr. Bristoll said we have made attempts and even had a contract to sell it which did not go through and he saw no reason not to tear it down. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she thought it should be advertised it again. She said it was in better shape that one across the street being rented for $800 a month. Mayor Bailey said we could compromise and set a time limit to try to sell it again.

Mr. Ingersoll asked if he should use a realtor. Mr. Kirby said he thought a period of thirty days was adequate to try to sell it again. Mr. Ingersoll said the rule had been if it was sold the building had to be kept and restored and did the Council want to continue with that requirement. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said it should be kept as it was an anchor to the community. Mr. Ingersoll said he thought it would sell fast if someone thought they could buy the property and remove the building. Mayor Bailey said Michael Day of the Maryland Historical Trust went through the building and assured her there was nothing of historic value to the building.

Mayor Bailey said we will get it cleaned up and then attempt to sell it. She asked the Council if they agreed that it be offered through a realtor for a period of 30 days. Mr. Ingersoll said the condition that the building would remain and be restored. The Council agreed.

Mayor Bailey said she had an item not on the agenda but she did want to discuss it. She asked Chief Coryell to present the information on a program to have children be paid for doing cleanup work, pulling weeds etc. in their community. Chief Coryell suggested that Chestertown have a pilot program where in 10 kids would be paid $15 a week for a 4 week period. He said he thought the age should be 12-15 and he had legal advice that agreed that was a good age. He said they would not need a work permit for this program. He said the kids would be supervised by an officer or someone from the Hot Spot office. He said this might give kids an opportunity to work and earn money and give them some pride in their neighborhood.

Mayor Bailey said there were funds in public relations that could be used. She said if this works we could actively solicit corporate sponsors to participate by sponsoring one or more children for a 10 week period in the summer. She asked the Council for comments or a motion. Mr. Kirby said kids participate in recreation programs free. He said a prerequisite for that might be that kids be required to assist with the recreation program one day a week. Mr. Kirby moved that the pilot program for 4 weeks this year be approved as discussed, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Kirby asked how they would choose the kids to participate. Chief Coryell said they would ask Wanda Boyer to make the selections from the community this year and if the police know of individuals who would profit from this, they would discuss it with her.

Mayor Bailey read a letter from the State Highway Administration Transportation Enhancement Program stating that they have approved the additional $160,000 for the Visitor's Center. She said that makes a total of $400,000 plus the bond bill for the Visitor's Center. Mr. Ingersoll said he will put the project out for bid within thirty days.

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

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:10 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer