MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
August 20, 2001

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. In attendance were Mabel Mumford-Pautz, J. Brian Kirby, William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager and Zoning Administrator, Whaland Clark, Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting or the Executive Session of August 13, 2001. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an Executive session was held on Monday, August 13, 2001 at 8:45 p.m. pursuant to section 10.508 of the annotated code of Maryland. The entire Mayor and Council was present and voted unanimously to go into Executive Session. The first item discussed was a personnel matter and required no action. The second matter involved personnel and was passed by unanimous vote. The last item discussed was the sale of 105 College Avenue to Jonathon Wasserman, the adjacent property owner. This was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $263,391.56.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had two requests from organizations to block off streets for events. The first request was from the Chester River Association asking to close the block of High Street to Water Street on Saturday, October 20, 2001 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Activities would be in cooperation with the Waterfowl Festival.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the final schedule of celebration of activities will be finalized in cooperation with the Waterfowl Festival Committee to assure the respective events with overlapping times and audiences are mutually supported.

The second request is from Washington College Special Events wanting to block the foot of High Street on September 28, 2001 from 2 - 7 p.m. Washington College will be holding a dedication ceremony for the Custom house. Mr. Ingersoll recommended both be approved.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that both be accepted and was seconded by Mr. Clark. The first was unanimously carried. The second passed with four in favor. Mr. Clark abstained.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he brought copies of the new application for peddling in Chestertown. He recommended last month that the fee be raised to $1,000.00 for 30 days. He stated that the first part of the application would be taken from the driver's license of anyone who would be selling goods in Chestertown. There are four requirements that must be in effect before and application will be processed and they are as follows:

1. Registered, active and in good standing with State Department of Assessments and Taxation Office in Baltimore, MD
2. State Hawker's and Peddler's License from office of Kent County Clerk of Court
3. Application for Maryland Retail Sales Tax Use Number/Transient Vendor's s License
4. Trader's License from office of Kent County Clerk of Court

The applicant would then grant approval for the Town of Chestertown to do a business and background check prior to issuance of any permit. The Council then the Resolution as presented.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Thursday, August 23rd would be clean-up day. A flyer was sent out with CINI workers delivering them door-to-door. The program includes four large dumpsters for a five-block area. The CINI children will make people in the area aware of dumpster locations. The Washington College Career Center, who called to volunteer, would bring 20 students under the supervision of Dan McDuffy and town crews. The students will go door-to-door to help people who can't carry items to the dumpsters. The dumpsters will be there for a few days, with town crews helping to dump the trash.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that money for the dumpsters came from a Hot Spot Grant. The idea is to pull the community together in an effort to clean-up. The "hot spot" area is from Mill Street to the railroad.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that dumping of tires, refrigerators, air conditioners or paint cans with wet paint in them was prohibited. The project is for outside clean-up only. The dumpsters will be left until they are full.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Billie Beck, who is the meter reader, was asked to take on the added responsibility of policing the community with regard to code enforcement in property upkeep. Mr. Ingersoll asked for an Executive Session at some point to discuss salary and a vehicle purchase for this position.

Mayor Bailey stated that a problem we have with code enforcement on exterior buildings is that there is no one person to handle the problem. She said that different individuals try to do it, but not an efficient way to go about it. One person needs to be designated to handle it. Mayor Bailey said we have wonderful codes, but nobody in direct charge of enforcing them. Mayor Bailey used Gaithersburg for an example of their strict code enforcement and suggested the possibility of sending Ms. Beck there for training.

Mr. Bristoll moved for an Executive Session under Section 10.508 of the annotated Code of Maryland, to discuss the appointment and the salary of an inspection officer, was seconded by Mr. Clark and unanimously carried.

Mayor Bailey stated that she received a letter from the Rescue Squad, which she passed on to the State Highway. The Rescue Squad asked for a traffic device on the 291 by-pass so that they could get out on the highway during heavy traffic.
Mayor Bailey stated that by the end of October, the State Highway would have a light by Washington Square.

Mayor Bailey stated that at the next meeting she will have a report by the highway task force, which was formed about six months ago, with their recommendations to the Town. Mayor Bailey met with the task force earlier in the day and is sending draft minutes to the Council for their approval.

Mayor Bailey stated that several months' back we asked the State Planning Office to do an economic impact study on the WalMart project. Mayor Bailey said she would like to keep their services available for the court case on appeal.

Mr. Kirby stated that he was not sure why we needed to keep State Planning on retainer if there is a report on file. Mayor Bailey stated that they did mostly "power-point" presentations, although there was a written report. Mayor Bailey would like to have someone from their office at court to explain the report. Mr. Kirby stated that State Planning could be subpoenaed if they have to go to court. Mr. Bristoll asked if Mayor Bailey could discuss with, or write a letter asking them to be available if a court date were set.

The Council decided that Mayor Bailey would write a letter requesting that State Planning be available, if needed, for a court appearance.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz raised an issue about a letter from the County Commissioner's Office (where they dropped their support of the HotSpot program. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she spoke to Susanne Hayman and has many thoughts on this issue. Her concern is that the Town could lose the Hot Spot money. She stated that the Town is paying money for rent at a site that is not being utilized.

Mayor Bailey stated that the problem is many agencies are involved that have manpower. The Town Office only has three people. Some other agency has to pick it up. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the money came to us through the Local Management Board in the beginning and questioned where they were in the current process.

Mr. Bristoll asked who receives the funding for this administration. Mayor Bailey stated that the money goes to various places, social services, town, county, and law enforcement agencies. Mr. Bristoll asked why there was no money available for a coordinator and the Mayor told him that it pays $15.00 an hour for five hours a week. Mr. Ingersoll stated this is a very complex grant and needs a lot of time and attention.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she wants people to be aware that this grant is in limbo and something needs to be done. Mayor Bailey agreed and said she would work on it. However, she stated that one of the ideas for the Hot Spots originally, was that it was only going to run for a limited amount of time. The hope was that after some time, people would get used to sharing information and working together. This was a way to pull people together. Mayor Bailey stated that she is trying to find someone who will take on the coordination piece, since that is the hardest part. She assured Mrs. Mumford-Pautz that she would not give up on this.

Mayor Bailey asked if any of the guests had any questions or comments.

Pearl Davis of Queen Street was present and asked about the Gingko tree, which was condemned at the last meeting. Mr. Ingersoll explained to her that a local arborist offered to spray the tree as long as the Town let them know when the 72-hour window for sterilization was open. The Town called to see what to look for and the arborist did not know. This was just about the time the tree was budding and it was too late. Ms. Davis stated that she called to advise the Town and thought it had been sprayed since there is very little fruit on the tree. Ms. Davis asked if the Council would consider harvesting the fruit this year and try to catch the window next year. Mayor Bailey stated there was a motion to remove the tree and it was approved. Ms. Davis stated there was a motion to spray it last year.

Mr. Bristoll stated that it is impossible to know when to spray a Gingko tree and the motion was made to take down the Gingko and replace it with a different tree. Mr. Ingersoll assured Ms. Davis that the tree had not been sprayed. Mayor Bailey stated that the motion was made and approved and it will stand unless someone on the Council wanted to change the motion. Mr. Clark stated that he is a licensed tree expert and the tree should come down. With such a narrow window to sterilize the fruit, it would be impossible to do, unless you spray it over and over.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Council does not like to take trees down, but with the increased number of people walking, the Council will not put people in danger. Mr. Clark stated that a Gingko does not belong around electrical wires. There are better trees, and more appropriate trees, to put in that spot.

Suzanne Fisher was present representing herself and neighbors on Queen Street with reference to parking problems. She stated that there are cars that are parked for as much as five days without being moved. She asked for help from Council to remedy the parking problem. Mayor Bailey stated that this is a difficult issue. The streets were designed for single families with one car. There are households with more than one car, and the college students have cars. One street in Town has enough room for thirty parking spaces, but thirty-three vehicles are owned on the block. The Council is going to have to evaluate and weigh priorities. If the Town goes to residential parking, that is constant and needs a full-time employee to enforce it. Then Council has to decide how many permits should be issued per household. The Mayor said that she sympathizes with the problem, but as of now, there is no solution.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that just because a car is parked for some time, does not matter. If the car is tagged and the people live in the area, they have a right to park there. Mr. Kirby stated that legally they don't even have to live in the area as long as the car is tagged properly. Mayor Bailey stated that the Council will continue to search for a solution, and welcomes suggestions to solve this problem.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that some of the problem is from college students who are not aware of the rules of the Town. Mayor Bailey stated that she has information from College Park, which is a much larger area, and they send a cordial letter to their students explaining their ordinances for trash, littering, noise, parking, etc. The Mayor suggested this might be something the Town could send to make students aware.

Mr. Bristoll stated that Chestertown is a colonial town facing problems of three-hundred years later. He suggested a system of parking lots a block or two away, with semi-voluntary, semi-restrictive parking. He stated this is not something that can be handled in one or two meetings. He also stated that when you choose to live in a town, like Chestertown, there are some things that have to be given up, and one of them is unlimited parking.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that whenever it can be done, the town encourages off-street parking, which involves making an entry off of the street so people can park in their yards. Queen Street is a very tight street, so few situations exist for this type of parking. The Town will help with the concrete work and curb-cutting if a residence has space. He stated that this has happened over the last twenty-five years and it allows three to four more parking spaces. He also stated that in the early nineties, a law was written about converting homes into apartments. Since this should not happen, it has slowed down problems with extra vehicles.

Mr. Clark moved for the Commission to pay bills, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:43 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer