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 was sworn in as Mayor of Chestertown, by Mark Mumford, Clerk of Courts.

Mayor Bailey swore in Mr. Bristoll and Mrs. Mumford-Pautz as Councilmembers.

Mayor Bailey read the 2001 Report of Municipal Affairs, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Ingersoll and all Town employees for their help in accomplishing all they did in 2001 and would do in 2002.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting of December 17, 2001, or the executive session of December 17, 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 at 7:52 p.m. after the Mayor and Council meeting of December 17, 2001 to discuss a legal matter. The entire Mayor and Council was in attendance to discuss a contractual matter and to meet with Chief Coryell concerning personnel matters. A representative from Sultana was present and the discussion of a one-year lease was discussed. No motions were made or passed. The meeting was closed at 9:30 p.m. Minutes were taken and were part of the record.

Chief Coryell was present and presented his report for December. He stated that the month of December 2001 was a particularly busy one. The police department arrested 33 adults and placed 69 separate charges. Primarily, the charges were for controlled dangerous substances, assaults and there were three reported armed-robberies. There were 3 juveniles arrested and 4 separate charges placed against them.

Chief Coryell stated that on December 19th, there was a joint operation with the Narcotics Task Force, which incorporated the State Police, Kent County Sheriff's Office, Department of Natural Resources, and the Town Police. It was a successful operation, resulting in 6 adult arrests and the seizure of a substantial amount of narcotics, with a street value in excess of $5,000.00. Several charges were placed against the individuals involved and there was coverage from the news media about it, which acquaints the citizens of Chestertown with the extent of the problem. Chief Coryell stated it was one of the most successful operations to date.

Mr. Ingersoll announced that a public hearing would be held at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 to report the progress of the Family Support Center. He stated that the Family Support Center was awarded $500,000.00 in Block Grant Funds, which basically was spent to buy the property and do architectural design.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town Address was slightly wrong and the Audit for 2001 was not yet adopted. Mr. Clark moved to adopt the Audit for 2001, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said a lease agreement had been in the works with the Schooner Sultana organization, to continue to use the Cannon Street yard on a more limited basis. Mr. Ingersoll stated that though the Sultana was in the water and travelling, they needed the yard to do other things there such as maintenance, and building smaller boats. Before the Council was a proposed one year renewable lease agreement, which had been reviewed by both parties. In return for using the yard, the lessee would supply the labor to build a dingy dock. Mr. Ingersoll stated that a dingy dock was in the original plans for Cannon Street, but it was never built.

Mr. Bristoll stated that he was pleased the Sultana group agreed to help in the building of a dingy dock and it had been needed for some time. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the Sultana Lease as presented and was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz. The vote was 4 in favor, Mr. Kirby opposed.

Mr. McMullen, from Sultana, was present with a request for additional information on the Cannon Street dock. He stated that they wanted to put a small informational display on the corner at the end of the dock. He had a small sample and explained it would be 2½' x 3' x 6', covered by cedar shingles, painted white, and in keeping with the traditional maritime look. He explained what would be displayed was the history of the boat, what was currently being done and a schedule.

Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the display as proposed, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and unanimously carried.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker were in attendance to discuss a problem that they were having with vultures on Spring Avenue. Mr. Parker stated that the birds had been there for approximately 3 years and were seasonal. He stated that they were ugly, relieved themselves with great regularity, and he felt it proposed a health problem. He stated that most people in Town knew about the problem and if they were in a more public area it would be taken care of. He suggested hosing them down or shooting at them so they would be scared and not come back. He also stated that this area was not their natural habitat.

Mr. Clark stated that there was a much larger number than normal in the area. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that they come in to roost in that particular area around 5:00 p.m. However, that was not the only place they were. They were also on the increase in Queen Anne's County, and were on Quaker Neck Road.

The Mayor asked Mr. Ingersoll about any solution. Mr. Ingersoll stated the vultures were on private property. Because of that and the necessary solution, all the citizens in the neighborhood had to be notified. Mr. Ingersoll stated that what had to be done to get them to go away, was to shoot loud guns or screamers every dawn and dusk, consistently for weeks or months. He stated it was a big wooded area, not just a few properties. He stated that people would be woken up at first light. If this process did not work, phase two would be to shoot a vulture on a regular basis, all with State Department of Natural Resources approvals.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that if the Council wanted to embark on such a solution the community as a whole would have to be polled. Mayor Bailey suggested sending a letter to all the residents explaining the situation.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the shooting would have to continue until the birds were tired of hearing the noise, the important times being when they come to roost and when they woke up. He stated, however, that there were problems any time there have been firearms discharged in Town. The entire Town needed to know what they were doing.

Mayor Bailey asked Mr. Ingersoll to draft a letter for all the residents to see what their opinion was. Mr. Bristoll asked if majority ruled in the situation. Mr. Ingersoll stated that when the number of responses were reviewed, the Council could address it.

A resident of Byford Court asked if the birds would go to their area if scared off of the troubled areas. Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was no guarantee where they would move. He said he only learned about the process when he had issued a permit in Byford Court for a concerned property owner. The resident stated that they were at Horsey Lane again and Mr. Ingersoll stated that both areas might have to be done at the same time.

Mr. Kirby asked for an executive session following the meeting for a personnel issue. Mr. Bristoll moved under section 10.508 of the annotated code of the State of Maryland to go into executive session following the meeting to discuss a personnel matter, was seconded by Mr. Clark and unanimously carried.

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 8:01 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer