MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
August 5, 2002

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, William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting of July 22, 2002. Mr. Clark moved to approve the minutes of the July 22, 2002 minutes as presented was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Chief Walter T. Coryell was present and stated that for the month of July 2002; the Chestertown Police Department made forty-one (41) adult arrests involving eighty-five (85) separate charges. There were thirty (30) charges for CDS; twelve (12) for theft; ten (10) for failure to appear; seven (7) for burglary; five (5) for bad checks; four (4) for assault; two (2) for violation of peace order, and; two (2) for DWI.

There were thirteen (13) juvenile arrests involving sixteen (16) charges. There were six (6) CDS arrests; four (4) arrests for assault, and the others were various charges.

There were eight (8) civil citations issued; three (3) for loud noise, three (3) for open container, one (1) loose dog, and one (1) for littering. Total calls handled during the month of July were 608, which was almost one hundred more than June. Total traffic stops were four hundred nine (409) and total citations issued were sixty-two (62). There were three hundred (300) warnings issued and one hundred seventy (170) parking citations.

Mayor Bailey stated that the September 11th anniversary was approaching, and the Town was looking for a way to honor those who lost their lives. Mayor Bailey stated that she would like ideas by the end of the week. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz suggested a non-denominational choir in the park.

Chief Coryell stated that the Sheriff's Office was withdrawing from the Narcotics Task Force. Chief Coryell stated that the Sheriff had his reasons for the withdrawal, and anytime the Sheriff needed help from the Town's officers, they would help. The Town Police were still in the Task Force (State) and felt the resources from the State Police were what was needed to have an impact in the narcotics trade.

Chief Coryell passed around literature for the new computer system to the Mayor and Council.

Mr. Kirby stated that he did not agree that the Town had to pay $8,000.00 annually to participate in the Narcotics Task Force. He said that the Town citizens already pay taxes and should not have to pay additional fees. He asked if the Town could participate in the Task Force without paying the fee. Chief Coryell stated that he was of the opinion that the money was being paid because there was no personnel permanently assigned to the Task Force.

Mr. Lee Secrest and Mr. Dave Deon were present to ask the Council's support for a Rails-to-Trail plan. Mr. Secrest stated that after Mr. Ingersoll presented the plan to the Chamber of Commerce, he presented the plan to the Kent County Commissioners. The Commissioners asked Mr. Secrest to speak to the various County boards for their opinion. He had spoken to the Tourism Board, Economic Development Board, Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board. In every case the Boards thought the project was viable and were in favor of it.

Mr. Secrest stated that the biggest problems expressed were whether the trails would bring crime to the area and what people would be on the trails. He stated he would like an endorsement so he could speak with the people who would live along the trail. He stated the trail to Worton would stop at Mary Morris Road. Washington College had asked for a delay for the trail through their area because their master plans that had to be reviewed. Mr. Secrest spoke with farmers who were concerned with hunting rights and farming areas.

Mr. Secrest stated that he spoke with Sheriff Price and Chief Coryell as well. Chief Coryell stated that public safety had to be addressed. He stated that a primary factor was that cars or ambulances would not be able to get to the trail. He said a jeep could be fitted with a stretcher to remove someone who might become injured on a part of the trail and to patrol the trail. He stated there should be communication capability along the trail as well.

Mr. Deon, trail master from the Baltimore Trail, Annapolis Trail, BWI Trail, and Chairman of the East Coast Greenway Alliance, was present and stated he had looked at the proposed route and thought it would be very successful and very heavily used. He said that the rail-trail would become the most heavily visited park in the County. He also said that it would be widely used as transportation as well as for exercise and nature walks. Mr. Deon stated that trail neighbors from his area have adopted the trails as "their own" and weed and water the flowerbeds along the trail. The trail was a positive attribute to the neighborhood and raised property values. He gave different scenarios of what was happened along his trail system, including flower beds, art, sculpture, music, kid shows, etc., all of which came from ideas from the citizens in the County.

Mr. Deon stated that public safety was important and that neighbors concerns were very important. He stated that he was in charge of thirty miles of active trails which he maintained and patrolled and had over two million visitors a year. He stated another thirty miles of trails were either in the design, engineering or construction phase. Mr. Deon stated that people who use the trail were destination oriented and rarely cut through yards. There was a decrease in crime along the trail. He stated he would not recommend a trail less than 10' wide and that anything less would be too small. He said at that width there was not a problem with getting help to a person in need. They used regular vehicles and bikes and had remoable bollards at strategic locations.

Mr. Deon stated that there were various levels of construction costs. He stated that $200,000.00 a mile was in the ballpark, in their area. Maintenance and operation functions were built in. He stated it would cost about $700.00 to do an intense cut on a two-mile span, which included flowerbeds and edging in areas close to homes. In areas where the trail was away from homes and 5' could be cut on either side, it was much cheaper. He stated if maintenance was a priority and things were tended to promptly, the liability and maintenance costs would be much less.

Mr. Kirby stated that endorsement was needed so an application for funds could be done. He asked what the time frame was for applying and what would happen if the trail changed. Mr. Secrest stated that they could apply for a Federal Grant, which could pay for 100% of the trail. He stated he would like to have the trail completed by 2006. He stated the State was looking for TEA-21applications for next year and he wanted to get approval for a segment of the trail (Radcliffe Loop) from Wilmer Park to Radcliffe Creek, by the lagoons to Airy Hill Road, to Route 20 and down the old rail spur paralleling High Street back to the Wilmer Park (4.8 miles). This would be a 50% matching fund from the State. 30% of those services could be in kind, leaving only a 20% actual cash match. Mr. Secrest stated that there were many engineers in the area and citizens who were ready to clear the tracks for the trail, but an agency had to sponsor the trail so they could apply for the grant money.

Mr. Clark noted that the brochure stated in addition to a sponsorship, a Governmental agent also had to sign a commitment letter for funding the project. He asked if the County or Town could sign a commitment letter for funding. Mr. Secrest stated that 20% would have to come up from one agency or another or a split of both. He stated a good figure to count on was $200,000.00. Mr. Secrest stated that as a sponsor, the Town could take over the rail line (although the MTA would still own the right to the line). Rail easements would be transferred to DNR, who would return with a lease to the County or Town.

Mr. Secrest stated that initially what was being asked of the Mayor and Council was a letter of intent and then there could have to be money set aside in next year's budget for the system.

Mr. Rucklehaus, President of Downtown Chestertown Association, stated he thought the Rail-to-trail program would be a wonderful amenity for Chestertown. He said it would bring visitors to the Town and bring more local people into Town as well. Mr. Mike Hanscom, Kent County Lodging Group, said three groups would be benefited from the Trail, people who lived in Town, tourists who visited the Town, and businesses looking to locate in the Chestertown Area.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that it was difficult to commit money without knowing what next year's budget would bring. He did think that the Council should support the Trail system and have another meeting to decide how the financial aspect would be handled.

Mr. Clark stated that he was in support of the rails-to-trail system, but was concerned with issue of funding. He said he would like to support the system, and stated he would like to have another session to discuss the system and its phases. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he worked with Mr. Secrest and property owners to try to come up with a sensible route that was affordable.

Mr. Kirby stated that the Rails-to-Trail system was a great idea, but he thought the Town should not pay for any of the trail that was not in the Town limits. He was worried about funding because of other issues. He did not think the Council could make any decisions on funding at the present time. Mr. Ingersoll stated that if there was a 100% grant that came along the Town would obviously be in favor of the Rails-to-Trail plan.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that a letter of intent be written expressing the Mayor and Council's favor of the Rails-to-Trail plan with discussion of funding to be followed up with other meetings, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Ms. Shanika Cooper from Janes Church appeared asking for permission for a "Youth Empowerment Rally" (Block Party) to be held on August 31st, from 1-7 p.m. on Cannon Street. There would be two motivational speakers who would talk to the children and school supplies would be handed out. She said if blocking off the street too early would cause a problem, they would be willing to move the time to 3:00 p.m. Both lanes of the road from Cross Street to the first entry into the parking lot behind Dunkin' Donuts would be blocked off from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. (allowing an hour for clean up). Mr. Ingersoll stated that barricades would be provided and asked the applicant to inform the nearby businesses so they could advise their customers how to exit the stores.

Mr. Kirby moved to accept the application for a block party as presented was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the 1456' of Cedar fence along the Rolling Road Park was completed. Mr. Ingersoll stated that there were letters sent to residents abutting the fence explaining how and why the fence was erected where it was. Mr. Ingersoll stated that there were extra funds, which would allow the Betty Ann Conley fence to be erected.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that on Saturday, August 24th, "Into the Streets" would be held by Washington College. Forty freshmen from the College will be cleaning up Chestertown. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would ask the street crews to help with trucks and guidance.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a discussion at the last meeting with reference to changing the ordinance for the median strip between the sidewalk and the street. Mr. Ingersoll asked the Council their opinion of the proposed changes. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve the proposed Ordinance change for the maintenance of the median strip was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved for an executive session under Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland to discuss two real estate matters and a personnel matter was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read Resolution No. 3-02 in support of "Eastern Shore 2010: A Regional Vision" into the record. Mr. Clark moved to approve Resolution No. 3-02 was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved to reappoint Evie Castillo to the Ethics Commission, effective July 1, 2002, for a three year term was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved to reappoint Ted Chase to the Ethics Commission, effective July 1, 2002, for a three year term was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that Charter Cable sent notices advising customers that they dropped the ESPN News Channel for financial reasons. ESPN and ESPN2 were still in effect.

Mayor Bailey stated that she and Ms. Merryman were working on the Dog Ordinance. She said she would have a report within the next couple of meetings.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Council was continuing to work on the Group Home issue in Foxley Manor and College Heights. Mayor Bailey said she wanted the neighborhood to be a family neighborhood.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked if the Town had a response to the letter from Upper Shore Aging referencing their new building. Mr. Ingersoll stated that if there were questions the Council should look over the minutes of the meeting. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she has had more than one complaint about the Planning Commission and although she believed in strict guidelines, she did not agree to their actions in this case. Mr. Kirby stated that he thought the Planning Commission was becoming too stringent and thought it was more of a personality clash. He stated Mrs. Mumford-Pautz's point was a good one, but the Mayor and Council did not have any control over the Commission.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that there was not enough recreation for the children. She stated she was appalled at the fountain park to see skateboarding on the brick, things broken, etc. She said street signs have been bent in half and destroyed. She said she wanted to see improvements and skateboarding had to be addressed.

Mayor Bailey asked Chief Coryell to have the police watch for skateboarders. Chief Coryell stated that he would, but he also needed the citizens to call the police when the police were needed and not after the fact.

Rev. Fisher was present to thank the Council for the community clean up. He said he was concerned that there was open dice games going on at Calvert Street and Lynchburg Street. Mayor Bailey stated he should speak to Chief Coryell.

Mayor Bailey stated that she was working to get public trashcans in Rev. Fisher's area. She stated there were many people who were "hanging out" in that area, who were not residents. Further, the Code Enforcement Officer had been instructed to photograph properties and the owners would be advised if they were in code violation.

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

There being no further business, Mr. Clark moved to close the meeting at p.m., was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey
Mayor