MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
October 15, 2001

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. In attendance were Mabel Mumford-Pautz, J. Brian Kirby, Whaland Clark, Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager and Zoning Administrator, Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting and the executive session of October 1, 2001. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an Executive Session was held on Monday, October 1, 2001, at 8:11 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 to discuss a contractual matter. The subject matter was a request from Henry Gruber to have approval from the Town to extend a pass-through mortgage at Chestertown Bank on Lord Calvert Gardens Apartment Project on Calvert Street. The request was approved by unanimous vote and the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $702,254.83.

Mayor Bailey stated that there was a very special presentation at the meeting and asked Chief Coryell to come forward. Chief Coryell stated that he was usually asking for money or giving crime statistics, but he was there to award some of the heroes of the police department. He also stated that the state police were present as well as civilian fire personnel.

Chief Coryell asked Officer First Class Jason E. Yiannakis and his wife, Paula, to come forward. Chief Coryell read Chestertown's first ever Life Saving Citation:

"Whereas, on September 4, 2001, Chestertown Police Officer First Class Jason E. Yiannakis, while on foot patrol, took notice of smoke coming from a residence at 103 College Avenue and responded to this emergency, after calling for fire department assistance, Office First Class Yiannakis attempted to enter the residence but was initially driven back by smoke and heat from the fire. Calling on others to assist, Officer First Class Yiannakis, used his volunteer fire department experience to direct others to break windows and to use a garden hose to hold back the flames while he entered the residence and dragged the elderly occupant to safety. In recognition of this selfless act of courage, on behalf of the citizens of Chestertown, he is hereby awarded the Chestertown Police Department Life Saving Metal."

Chief Coryell asked Trooper First Class Michael A. Lasznowski and his wife, Mindy, to come forward. Chief Coryell awarded Trooper Lasznowski the Chestertown Police Department's Certificate of Appreciation for his role in the brave rescue of Mrs. Collins.

Chief Coryell called forward the mother and father of Trooper First Class Patrick H. McCallister. Mr. McCallister was unable to attend the ceremony because he had been called to active service with the Maryland National Guard and was on duty in Ft. Stork, Georgia. Chief Coryell awarded the parents of Trooper McCallister the Chestertown Police Department Certificate of Appreciation for his role in the rescue.

Chief Coryell stated that Captain Pruitt, Executive Officer for the region and Commanding Officer of the State Police was present and he thanked him for coming.

Chief Coryell called Mr. Mumford forward to receive the last award. It was the Chestertown Police Department's Citizen Award for his participation in the rescue of Frieda Collins.

Chief Coryell stated that it was his pleasure to bring the officers and Mr. Mumford before the Mayor and Council as an excellent example of "hometown heroes" who have stood the test and stood ready when it was necessary to step forward with courage and devotion to duty. He stated it was because of men like this that we have the wonderful community we do in Chestertown. He asked that everyone realize that officers need proper pay, retirement and benefit systems to enable them to keep young men and women who were devoted to the community and who would serve it with a selfless devotion as was the example tonight.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz wanted to thank the Rescue Squad as well for their great job. Mayor Bailey thanked all the service workers for taking care of the community and stated that they did a great job and that she was glad this type of thing did not happen often.

Mayor Bailey introduced Bob Rust and Sue Willits from 911 Emergency. Mayor Bailey stated that there had been questions from people in the community as to what the plan was for Kent County and Chestertown in the event of an emergency. Mayor Bailey stated that Chestertown followed Kent County Emergency Plans and Ms. Willits and Mr. Rust were going to discuss the plan .

Mr. Rust stated that the Emergency Management Agency was a spin-off of the Civil Defense Agency of years ago. He stated that he was present to speak about the terrorist threat that was surrounding the country. He said there were things that everybody should be doing and actions that should be taken should anything happen.

Ms. Willits stated that in light of the events of the past month she wanted to share the procedures that were in place to alert and warn the public of a major emergency in Kent County. Ms. Willits stated that the threat of terrorism throughout the world continued to grow and terrorist activity could range from an attack on specific targets or the use of weapons of mass destruction, to include both chemical and biological weapon agents, nuclear and radiological agents, high yield explosives or a combination of the above.

She stated that although Kent County seemed to be a low target area there were many other areas that would not be, such as Dover Air Force Base, Dover Downs, Baltimore Harbor, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Marinas, and Aberdeen Proving Grounds with its stockpile of Mustard Agent and other lethal chemicals in research quantities. The bigger picture, which was the State of Maryland, had extensive transportation systems, power plants, water treatment plants, the largest estuary in North America, an international airport, major highways that connect the eastern corridor, rail systems, bridges, sports arenas and conference centers. Most importantly, however, Kent County is close to the Nation's Capitol. Ms. Willits stated that if anything happened at the Nation's Capitol, anybody would wonder what would trickle down to Kent County, Maryland.

Ms. Willits stated that terrorism was a crime and a crime had three parts to it, motive, means and an opportunity. Ms. Willits stated that there was nothing much to be done about the motive or means, but opportunity was a different thing. She stated this was an opportunity to become vigilant. She stated that everybody should be vigilant about his or her surroundings at all times. Ms. Willits handed out a sheet on personal protective measures against terrorism and discussed all of them.

Ms. Willits stated that there were several programs and people that were overseers of the Emergency Management Agency. One of them was the Local Emergency Planning Committee and Mr. Bristoll was a member. She stated that there was meeting scheduled for next Tuesday and all were welcome. At that meeting the members were going to discuss their readiness for any problem that should occur and trickle down to Kent County.

Ms. Willits stated that there was the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which supplied them with resources. She stated that if they should run out of resources during an emergency, those agencies would be called on for help. Ms. Willits stated she would continue to pass along to emergency responders in Kent County any new training opportunities that came through their agency and to inform the public of any preparedness measures that came along.

Mr. Mumford stated that the fire company would have a benefit breakfast on Sunday, November 4, from 8:00-12:00 for the widows and orphans of uniformed fire fighters of New York City who lost family members on September 11th.

Mr. Ingersoll stated the Board of Supervisor's of Elections met and approved the following candidates for the official ballot in the upcoming November 6 election:
For Mayor: Margo Goggin Bailey and Thomas Allen gross, Sr.
For the First Ward: Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr. and Marianna Sipala Quigley.
For the Third Ward: Mabel Mumford-Pautz, Ellsworth L. Tolliver and Anne L. Noerr Wilson.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that bid openings for the Visitor's Center had been extended for one week. He said there were fifteen general contractors bidding and they had questions that were being addressed. He stated it would be reported on at the next meeting.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a bid opening the other day on the demolitions at 122 N. Cross Street and at 700 High Street. He stated that there were two bids. The first bid opened was from William Simpler, Jr. of Millington, MD. The bid for 122 N. Cross Street, which would be the two concrete buildings next door, was $8,315.00. The bid for 700 High Street was $11,760.00 for a total bid price of $20,075.00

The second bid opened was from Tuck Davidson of Church Hill, Md. The bid for 122 N. Cross Street was $2,901.00; the bid for 700 High Street was $4,395.00, the total bid price was $7,296.00.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the apparent low bidder was Tuck Davidson and he recommended to the Council to utilize his bid of $7,296.00 over the bid of $20,075.00.

Mr. Clark moved to accept the bid of Tuck Davidson's for both properties in the amount of $7,296.00, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried with four in favor one opposed. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she was against the motion because she was opposed to tearing down 700 High Street.

Mr. Ingersoll announced a bid opening on November 2nd for engineers to correct the BNR/BOD problems at the wastewater treatment plant.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he gave the Council a letter from Mr. Cookerly, representing the County Commissioners, concerning 709 Morgnec Road. He stated that 709 Morgnec Road was allowed to hook-up to Town sewer in 1997, as one of the last out-of-town entities before the Charter was changed no longer allowing out-of-town sewer hook-ups. He stated there was a contract signed in April 1997. He stated when they finally hooked-up the Town was approached because they decided not to put in a gravity main since it would cost $27,500.00. The Town reconsidered and a smaller sized forced main was installed. Now the owners would like the Town to take it over and the Town had previously decided not to take over the force main due to its small size. Mr. Ingersoll asked, with the Council's approval, to see the Commissioner's on Tuesday, October 16th at 10:45 a.m. to discuss this issue.

Mr. Kirby stated that the Council's letter was written to them on July 5th and a response came in October. He wondered what the hold-up was. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he wanted to know the basis of their problem and they seemed to be saying that they were turning it over to the Town whether the Town wanted it or not. Mr. Ingersoll stated that it was discretionary on the Town's part. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to allow Mr. Ingersoll to speak to the Commissioner's on this matter was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried by unanimous vote.

Mayor Bailey stated that she would like to nominate Marsha Fritz, James Gatto and Kirk Williamson for reappointment to the Planning Commission for five-year terms. The Council will vote on the reappointments at the next meeting.

Mayor Bailey stated that the State of Maryland Department of Transportation was unveiling their Transportation Plan 2002 and holding a public open house. She stated the 2002 Transportation Plan was the long-range strategy providing state transportation services and infrastructure and was updated every three years. Mayor Bailey stated they would be meeting in Kent County on Monday, November 26th at the Chestertown Middle School from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and anybody who had questions about the three-year plan should attend.

Mr. Kirby made a motion for payment of bills, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:18 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer