MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
December 17, 2001

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:41 p.m. In attendance were Mabel Mumford-Pautz, J. Brian Kirby, Whaland Clark, Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager , Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meetings of November 29, 2001, December 3, 2001 or the executive session of December 3, 2001. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated cash on hand and in banks was $689,568.91.

Mayor Bailey stated an executive session was held on Monday, December 3, 2001 at 8:15 p.m. pursuant to 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 personnel matters. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey explained that Police Officer Becker was attending the meeting and was due to return to active duty at Fort Dix as of January 1 and would be gone for one to six months. Chief Coryell was present and stated that he was very proud to have Officer Becker as a member of the police department. Mayor Bailey and the entire Council wished Officer Becker the best of luck and a quick return home.

Mr. Wallace from Wallace and Company was present to review the audit. He stated that Wallace and Company was engaged on an annual basis to conduct an audit of the financial statements of the Town of Chestertown. He was pleased to report that as of a result of the review and audit of the financial statements that Wallace and Company was issuing an unqualified opinion on the financial statements for the 7th straight year. He stated that the combined total assets of the Town increased $179,000.00 for a total of $13,600,000.00. The combined overall liabilities increased $55,000.00 for a total of $1,870,000.00. The combined increase in fund equity was $124,000.00 for a total equity of $11,700,000.00. He stated that the revenues exceeded $2.1 million and almost all expenses were within budget. The town government continued to show sound financial management and should be commended. He stated that if anybody had a specific question, they could call Wallace and Company at their offices.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Drew McMullen was present from the Sultana to discuss a possible contract extension on the yard in executive session following the meeting. There were some other small matters relating to personnel that he needed to be discussed in executive session as well.

Mr. Ingersoll alluded to Mr. Capel's report in the earlier Utilities Commission meeting that the Town received a $500,000.00 grant for the BNR upgrade on the wastewater treatment plant. He stated that came from an MDE press release. Mr. Ingersoll understood that the total BNR grants could go up to 50% of the project costs. He stated that the current MDE loan rate was 1.9%.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was waiting for the engineers to produce documents on the water upgrade, which had been committed to earlier. He would start the project as soon as the documents became available.

Mr. Bristoll requested an executive session under Sec. 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland upon the completion of the Mayor and Council meeting, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced the winners of the Christmas Decorating Contest. She stated that the judges were Joanne Tobriner, Patsy Hornaday, Mary Connolley and Lisa Ford. The winners were as follows:
First Ward:
First Place: Mary Celeste Alexander, 107 N. Queen Street
Second Place: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Townsend, 12 Byford Court
Second Ward:
First Place: Peter Brocker, 225 Washington Avenue
Second Place: Hilda Gilbert Hopkins, 222 Front Street
Third Ward:
First Place: Margaret Ann Taylor, 631 High Street
Second Place: Virginia and Douglas Macchia, 104 S. Kent Street
Fourth Ward:
First Place: Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Lewis, 117 Elm Street
Second Place: Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Fowler, 103 Pine Street
Commercial
First Place: Imperial Hotel, High Street
Second Place: Chestertown Rehab Center, 415 Morgnec Road

Mayor Bailey thanked the community for their terrific decorating.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked if there was a meeting of the "Old Town Association" on Thursday. Mayor Bailey stated that they would not be meeting again until after the New Year and would let her know the time and date at the next meeting. Mayor Bailey stated that this was a community resource group that met to discuss problems in the Third Ward. She stated that there was a committee meeting to address specific questions, concerns and problems and would bring it to the general group.

Mr. Bristoll stated that many people have expressed concern over the sound transmission of the videotapes of the meetings. Mr. Bristoll stated that he was made aware that the camera could not be adapted for direct transmission from the microphones to the cameras and suggested looking into the purchase of a new camera with adequate sound.
Mr. Clark made a motion for payment of bills, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Bristoll moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:52 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer