MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
December 3, 2001

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 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 of November 19, 2001. Mr. Clark moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Chief Coryell reported that for the month of November 2001, Chestertown Police Department made 20 adult arrests, involving placement of 27 separate charges. The charges were 5 charges of second degree assault, 5 for controlled substances, 5 underage alcohol possession, 2 failure to obey order from police officers, 1 first degree assault, 1 DWI and other arrests for other agencies, 1 for a fugitive from justice, 1 burglary and 1 false imprisonment.

Chief Coryell stated that in addition there were 12 juvenile arrests involving placement of 15 separate charges, 4 were for second degree assault, 4 for malicious disruption of property, 2 for disorderly conduct, 2 runaways, 2 for possession of tobacco and 1 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Chief Coryell stated there was placement of 2 civil citations, which were issued for violation of the loud noise ordinance.

Chief Coryell asked that citizens place a blue light among their Christmas decorations and explained it was being done nationally by the National Police Survivor's Organization as a remembrance of law enforcement officers who have died in service this year. It also recognized service of all police officers throughout the nation.

Mr. Ingersoll asked if Chief Coryell could provide a blue light for the Christmas tree downtown. Chief Coryell stated he would.

Mr. Ingersoll read a letter from the Chester Cemetery Corporation requesting the Mayor and Council ask the police to ride through the cemetery from time to time during their rounds. There had been vandalism of headstones in the cemetery. Chief Coryell stated that he would have the officers ride through the cemetery.

Mayor Bailey introduced Susanne Hayman, Hot Spot Coordinator, and Ann Livie, New Director of the Local Management Board (LMB) for Children and Family Services. Ms. Livie wanted to share the results of the need assessment and planning process for the Hot Spot Grant for the year.

Ms. Livie stated that the core elements for the Hot Spots Grant were community mobilization, community policing, lease abatement, youth prevention, victim outreach and assistance and community service for addiction and recovery. She stated that the complete budget for a 12-month cycle would be approximately $117,000.00. The grant for this year had to be submitted for 18 months.

Ms. Livie stated that the focal point for the community mobilization element would continue to be Wanda Boyer, who had been working in the hot spots area and actively engaged at the corner of High Street and College Avenue at the Community Resource Center. Ms. Boyer was doing a great job of partnering with police and beginning to bridge the gap between different agencies and the community. Ms. Boyer was coordinating monthly community awareness activities.

Ms. Livie stated that community policing was going to be different in this cycle than had been in the past. Ms. Livie explained that it had been acceptable to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention to use overtime to address community policing needs. However, for this funding cycle it was clearly stated that it was important to look at community policing in a more traditional way. They were asking for funding to add a police officer to the Town of Chestertown and the first six-month cycle would pay for all training costs associated with hiring and the second cycle would fund their salary and benefits.

Ms. Livie stated that she had been in contact with Mr. Ingersoll about adding some lights to the 500 block of Calvert Street where people congregate to the dismay of residents. It was believed that some additional lighting might make it a less attractive place to gather.

Ms. Livie stated that Youth Prevention would be continuing to put $35,000.00 of the requested budget into activities that support positive activities for the Hot Spot students of Chestertown Middle School. Some of the activities would be to continue to support the after-school activities that were happening on site at Chestertown Middle School, as well as some additional dollars that would encourage community members who had time and talent to share to do so.

Ms. Livie stated that there was $1,400.00 in the budget for local coordination. Ms. Livie explained that Ms. Hayman had been donating more time than she was compensated for and they wanted to be able to support her in some way.

Ms. Livie stated that Victim Outreach Assistance (run by Robin Steelman who was currently with the State Attorney's Office as the Victim Witness Coordinator), would continue to be funded, at $4,800.00 this year, down from $12,000 last year.

Ms. Hayman stated that coordination would shift significantly next year if the application was approved. Administrative infrastructure would be provided by the LMB. It would make for a more coordinated effort with less administrative duties divided between the town, county and community liaisons.

Ms. Livie stated that there would also be money put towards the One Church, One Addict program. Dora Best, from Public House would continue to serve in the capacity of addiction consultant for that group and anticipated building on the program.

Mr. Kirby asked Chief Coryell if he was going to fill the existing vacancies in the police department before they hired an officer for the Hot Spot area. Chief Coryell stated that he would like to do that but did not know whether that would be the case. He stated that they were making every effort to recruit. He stated that he could not use the position as one of the vacancies. Mr. Kirby asked if the Hot Spot officer took priority over the regular vacancies. Chief Coryell stated that it depended on their experience. If the hiree was not experienced another officer could be shifted to the Hot Spot area and would get the additional training as the Hot Spot officer. The newly hired officer would go into the regular rotation.

Mr. Kirby asked how long the officer would be funded by the hot spot grant. Ms. Livie stated that the grant was for 18 months, if they received it. She was optimistic of support from the Governor's office for continuing the initiative. Ms. Livie stated that the history of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention showed more funding given to communities where it was successful. Mr. Kirby stated that there was no guarantee that after 18 months the Town would fund the police position. Ms. Livie stated that all positions at the Local Management Board were dependent upon state funding. If funding for positions end, the position ends and it was not incumbent upon the county/Town to absorb the budget for the lost salary.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Wallace and Company would present the audit at the next meeting on December 17th.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a resolution for the pension plan which incorporating changes to the original language required by federal legislation commonly called GUST Legislation. He stated that it did not change the pension plan at all, but merely referred to the federal documents. Nationwide wanted evidence that the Mayor and Council had resolved to allow the Mayor to sign documents. Mr. Clark moved to approve the resolution for signature by the Mayor, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and was carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an Executive Session following the meeting concerning a personnel matter. Mr. Bristoll moved for an Executive Session under 10-508 of the annotated code of the State of Maryland following the meeting to discuss a personnel matter was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that at the last meeting she had asked the Mayor and Council to approve Ron Kerns as a Commission to the Historic District Commission. Mr. Kirby asked what Mr. Kerns historical expertise was. Mayor Bailey stated that the restoration he undertook as well as a recommendation from the Chairman of the Commission qualified him.

Mr. Bristoll moved to appoint Ron Kerns for a three year term on the Historic District Commission, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Christmas judging would be on Sunday, December 16th and asked the Council to turn names and addresses into the Town Hall by Friday, December 14th. Mayor Bailey explained to Mrs. Mumford-Pautz that her area was more extensive because Mr. Davis at Kent Crossing wanted to include a first, second and third prize on his own. The Beautification Committee would be the deciding committee for the winners.

Mayor Bailey stated the Historic District Commission handed in a letter describing homes they considered to be under "Demolition by Neglect". They requested that the Mayor and Council approve that a letter be sent to the property owners. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked why more letters were not being sent as she thought there were other properties that fell in the category. Mr. Ingersoll explained that several homes fell outside of the Historic District. Mr. Clark asked if "Demolition by Neglect" could be tied into an ordinance the entire town should follow. Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was no state enabling legislation to do that, it only applied to the Historic District.

Mr. Clark asked how the "Demolition by Neglect" process would work. Mr. Ingersoll stated that during the "Demolition by Neglect" process, the property owner was notified of the problems and if nothing was done, the Town, along with a building inspector went to the property for a full inspection. If nothing was done after that, legal action would be pursued.

Mr. Clark moved to approve letters be sent to property owners notifying them of "Demolition by Neglect" was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that at the last meeting she had discussed and "Arts and Entertainment District" for the Chestertown area and asked if the Council wanted her to further investigate it. Mr. Bristoll moved that Mayor Bailey initiate the process for an Arts and Entertainment District, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Bristoll stated that he had been asked if local children were aboard the Sultana. He had a report that an estimated 200 children from the elementary schools had been on the Sultana in the Fall.

Mr. Kirby stated that the day before Thanksgiving, the farmer's market merchants were not parking the way they should and had additional trucks and vans, which created a traffic problem. He understood that they were busy, but the market vendors had to find a better way to operate. Mr.Ingersoll stated that he would take care of the problem and agreed that parking should have been handled differently.

Mr. Grim stated that he and three of his friends would help to take care of the basketball court at AJAX and asked if the Town would supply reinforced double rims so they could play basketball. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would be glad to supply rims and appreciated the help from Mr. Grim.

Mr. Mumford was present on behalf of the Chestertown Fire Company and extended an invitation to their annual Christmas Party and Awards Banquet on Saturday, December 15th at 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Beck asked if the Town would reconsider bagging the parking meters. Mayor Bailey asked if Ms. Beck could bag the meters and look for residents, business workers and office workers who violated the two-hour limit. Mayor Bailey stated that they were not bagged because people would take advantage of the free meters. She also explained that several merchants who wanted the meters bagged have come forward. Ms. Beck explained that regulars to the Town looked at the bags as Christmas gifts from the Town. Ms. Beck explained that presently shoppers did not know if they were supposed to pay the meters or not. Chief Coryell suggested placing a note on the bags that the meters were for up to two-hour use. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to allow the bagging of parking meters for the holiday season, with a two-hour limit, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Mumford stated that there were questions from his neighbors on the 500 block of High Street with reference to brick sidewalks. He asked Mr. Ingersoll to review the policy for the brick sidewalks. Mr. Ingersoll explained that the Town ordinances authorized the Town to install brick sidewalks if the property owner paid ½ the cost. He said that Mr. Mumford's neighbors were polled as to whether they wanted brick sidewalk or not. He stated the cost was $6.00 per square foot, representing ½ the total cost of putting it down. He also stated since the concrete was free, most people opted for the free concrete. The ordinance had been in effect for decades that any property owner who wanted to replace concrete with brick could do so by sharing the cost 50/50 with the Town although the expenses had changed over the years, the policy had not.

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

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:12 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer