MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
September 16, 2002

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 8:17 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby , W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting and executive session of September 3, 2002. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks of $202,394.49.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held following the Mayor and Council meeting of September 3, 2002 under Sec. 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, legal, and real estate matters. Three motions were made, two passed unanimously, and one passed with four in favor and one opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll stated that a request for a permit was submitted from the Kent County Community Marching Band to hold the annual band appreciation concert on Friday, September 20, 2002 in the Fountain Park at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Clark moved that the permit be approved, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll announced that the Council of Governments meeting will be hosted by Chestertown on Wednesday, September 18, 2002. The luncheon meeting will begin at noon at the Alexander Cafe, 315 High Street. Mayor Bailey, Mr. Bristoll, Mr. Clark and Mrs. Mumford-Pautz will attend.

Mr. Ingersoll said there were a lot of cable outages reported last week to the Town. He said cable was unregulated by the FCC. He said a rumor started and may have been true that all the operations offices for Charter are now in Cumberland, MD and not at Kent Island. He said many people were trying to call to report outages and there were insufficient trunk telephone lines and the number of lines was increased. The contact person that people may want to call would be David Diehl, 301-759-4806, Ext. 5. He said the internet email address for him would be ddiehl@chartercom.com.

Mr. Ingersoll asked for an executive session following the meeting to discuss a contract matter. Mr. Bristoll moved that an executive session be held pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, was seconded by Ms. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation declaring the week of September 17-23, 2002 as Constitution Week in Chestertown. Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation in support of the Maryland Municipal League's Freedom's Answer Campaign declaring September 16 as Freedom's Answer Day.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Council was given a copy of the draft Guidelines for the Historic District Commission to review. She stated that the Guidelines would be discussed at the meeting of October 7, 2002 and members of the Commission who drafted the Guidelines will be present at the meeting to answer any questions from the Council or the public. Mr. Ingersoll said the Guidelines are available in the Town Office for anyone who wishes to review it.

Mayor Bailey said the Council had discussed receiving comments on the Rails to Trails at a future meeting. It had been decided that would be done at the next meeting on October 7, 2002. Mr. Ingersoll said it was a dead issue at this point or at least one to be tabled. Mayor Bailey said the Council could still take comments from the public at the next meeting.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were questions or comments. Ms. Ann Hoon announced that the League of Women Voters would hold a forum for the County Commissioner candidates on October 23, 2002 at 7 p.m. at the Kent County High School auditorium.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bill. Mr. Bristoll moved to pay the bills as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Bristoll moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey
Mayor