Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 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 of October 21, 2002 or the executive session of October 28, 2002. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Elizabeth Watson, Eastern Shore Heritage Executive Director, and Bernadette VanPelt, Kent County Office of Tourism Development Director, were present and gave a speech about recognized Heritage Areas and how they were working towards certification locally. The presentation outlined a management plan for the Heritage Area and what cooperation was needed from the Town. Ms. Watson said once certified the Heritage Area would become eligible for matching grants, funding for five (5) years to support the operations, tax credits, and property tax reductions for rehab projects. Ms. Watson stated that Heritage was required to designate certain areas for investments for capital improvements.

Ms. Watson stated that there would be two meetings, one on November 12, 2002 at the Adkins Arboretum from 7:00-9:00 p.m., and the second would be held on November 18th, at the Queen Anne Visitor's Center from 6:00-8:30 p.m. The first meeting would concern recreation and resources while the second meeting would be a general presentation.

Ms. VanPelt stated that she would like the Council to look at the budget for contributions that could be made. She said the County contributed $15,000.00. Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc. was hoping to collect $5,000.00 from the incorporated towns. She said that Millington and Galena had each contributed $300.00.

Mayor Bailey stated that Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc. was looking for participation from all the counties. She said the Council would consider a donation at a later date.

Mayor Bailey stated that she was looking for a way to work with the students at Washington College. At a meeting with Dr. Toll, President of Washington College, and Dean Zang, President of the Washington College Student Government Association, the safety problems of the college were discussed. The Student Government Association passed a Resolution to strengthen relations between the Town Council and the Police and to implement programs to encourage more community spirit between the college and the community. Mr. Zang stated that a committee supporting community relations would incorporate two students, one administrative member from the college, the Chief of Police, and would be co-chaired by the vice-president of the (inaudible) and the Mayor.

Mr. Zang stated that the main working of the committee would be to strengthen relations for better communications. Mayor Bailey said she would work with the committee on a monthly basis to head off problems and involve the students in the community.

Mr. Bristoll stated that the committee was formed because of the incident on Friday, September 17th. Shortly after, the Town and the police force received criticism from the students. Mayor Bailey stated that Mr. Zang wanted to work towards solving problems.

Mr. Bristoll stated that he would be delighted to see positive action on the part of the students. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she would like to be included in the meetings between the college and the students. Mayor Bailey stated that since the students made such a strong effort to take action, she thought the Council should support them.

Mr. Kirby stated that he was not certain what powers the committee would have if the committee was formed, and he said the college already had a dialogue with the Town Council and could discuss any issues they wanted. He also said that the youth of the Town should be involved in the committee so there could be some dialogue between the different youth groups.

There was no motion made to approve the committee. Mayor Bailey stated that she would call Mr. Zang and Chief Coryell to see if they could set up a time to meet once a month.

Chief Coryell stated that for the month of October 2002, there were a total of forty-six (46) adult arrests involving a total of seventy-four (74) separate charges. The majority of the arrests made were eighteen (18) for CDS. In addition, there were seventeen (17) juveniles arrested with a total of (24) separate charges. Seven (7) were for CDS. The Chestertown Police Department also issued eight (8) civil citations, three (3) for noise, two (2) for open container, two (2) for littering, and one (1) for bicycle riding on the sidewalk. There were a total of six hundred ninety-four (694) calls for service and two hundred thirty-seven (237) traffic stops with thirty-three (33) citations and two hundred twenty (220) warnings for the month.

Chief Coryell introduced Lieutenant Kelly from the Maryland State Police, Lieutenant Rhodes from the Natural Resources Police, Lieutenant Ford from the Maryland State Police, and Sergeant Brannah from the Maryland State Police. All of the officers worked for the Narcotics Task Forces on the Eastern Shore.

Lieutenant Ford stated that the Town's annual $8,000.00 ($2 per capita) payment was used for expenses, including undercover operations. He said the money helped to fund resources that were not available in Chestertown. Mr. Kirby stated that his problem with the Task Force was that the residents of Chestertown were essentially paying for three police departments, Chestertown, Sheriff's Office, and State Police.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Mr. Drew McMullen from the Sultana was in the audience to discuss a letter he had written to the Town. Mr. Ingersoll stated that Mr. McMullen had been approved for the activities at the foot of Cannon Street, but not to close Cannon Street above the foot of Cannon. Mr. McMullen said that everything should fit between the footbridge and the Cannon Street pier. If there was a low-pressure system or strong Southerly wind with a high tide, he wanted permission to put the tents on the grassy area between the pumping house and the footbridge. Mr. Clark stated that he had a problem with that because they would be at the edge of the right-of-way with children running around and he was concerned for their safety.

Mr. McMullen stated that nobody would be walking in the street and it was a minimal activity with three to five tents. He said the tents would block off access to the water. The liability insurance for the Sultana would cover the event. Mr. McMullen spoke with the management at The Old Wharf and discussed the plan for the weekend, and they were agreeable with the plan. Signs had been printed for "restaurant parking only". Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was going to ask Mr. McMullen to print the signs for the resident's windshields that read, "resident parking only". The Town would provide signs along the street for resident parking only. Mr. McMullen stated that he would provide signs to residents at Front Street from High Street down to the park, and Cannon Street to Cross Street.

Mr. McMullen stated that by spreading the open houses out over a couple of days, it would prevent a significant crush of people.

Mr. McMullen stated that he would like to shoot cannons off as the Pride and Sultana entered the southern part of the Town, downriver from the Wilmer Park. He thought it would cause less noise than the cannons fired at Tea Party. Mr. Bristoll stated that he had heard many complaints about the noise from the cannons and it was unnecessary. Mr. McMullen stated that any time the Pride of Baltimore had come to Chestertown cannons were fired. It was decided that cannons would not be fired in the Town limits.

Mr. McMullen stated that he would return to the Mayor and Council meeting on November 18th to discuss renewal of their lease on the shipyard.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a bid opening for tree maintenance and there were two received. The first was from Pardoe's Lawn and Tree Service, total price was $3,614.00. The second was from Asphlund Tree Experts of Dover, Delaware for $9,660.70. Mr. Ingersoll recommended the Council approve Pardoe's Lawn and Tree Service for the work.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to accept the bid from Pardoe's Lawn and Tree Service for $3,614.00. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he attended the State Highway transportation meeting that was held at the County Commissioners building. He said one of the projects was for the remodeling of the Spring Street and Route 213 intersection. There was support from our State delegation for the Chestertown bypass and they urged the State not to sell the lands that were bought for the bypass. He said the problem with traffic on Route 213 would only get worse.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he attended a ribbon cutting and cornerstone laying at Bethel AME Church. The ceremonies were very impressive.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he gave Troop 1383 of the Girl Scouts of America, a tour of Chestertown. As part of their badge process, they weeded the gardens at the police station.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had an introduction of Resolution of General Obligation of Indebtedness for the Chestertown Water Treatment Plant. He reviewed a letter from Funk & Bolton explaining the process and recommended passing a Resolution and introducing the Ordinance. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Ordinance was to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the water upgrade of the treatment plant including constructing a deep water well, filter building, associated chemical feed systems covering the existing reservoir, and adding a new covered reservoir. The Ordinance stated that the Town would obligate up to 1.5 million dollars and the proceeds of the bond would be exclusively for the project.

Mr. Clark moved to accept the Resolution for the Declaration of Official Intent for Water Supply System Improvements and pass Ordinance No. 6-02 for General Obligation Indebtedness for Water Treatment Plant Upgrade was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on Monday, October 28, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland. The entire Mayor and Council was present and, along with Chief Coryell, decided unanimously to go into executive session. One motion was made which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mr. Bristoll moved to appoint Anne VanSant to the Board of Appeals for a three-year term from September 2002, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that there would be a liquor license hearing on November 19, 2002 at 9:15 a.m. at the Kent County Commissioner's hearing room for a change of liquor license for Super Soda II.

Mr. Bristoll made a motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:58 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor