Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Whaland Clark and Mabel Mumford-Pautz, 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 December 16, 2002. Mr. Clark moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held directly following the Mayor and Council meeting of December 16, 2002 at 9:20 p.m. The entire Mayor and Council along with Chief Walter Coryell was present and decided unanimously to go into executive session under section 10.508 of the annotated code of the State of Maryland to discuss personnel matters. No motions were made or passed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey read the 2002 Report of Municipal Affairs into the record, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

Chief Walter Coryell was present and stated for the month of December 2002; the Chestertown Police Department made nineteen adult arrests, with the placement of forty-seven charges. The most numerous charges were for CDS related violations and for theft. In addition, there were a total of three juveniles arrested, with four charges being placed, two of which were for controlled dangerous substance related offenses. There were a total of four hundred and fifteen calls, twenty-two moving violations, and one hundred and fifty warnings.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that people were driving too fast in Town. Chief stated that the business was in a reduced speed area, but he would look into it. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that even the police cars were driving at a dangerous rate of speed when answering calls. She said even in an emergency situation, the speed needed to be a concern.

Mayor Bailey stated that people were indeed driving too fast in the downtown. She said that there was a pedestrian hit last week at the corner of High and Cross. She said that there should be no right-on-red at this intersection and asked Mr. Ingersoll to contact the SHA about it.

Mr. Tyler Brown, Head of the Kent County Public School Mentoring Program, spoke about the benefits of the mentoring program. He said the Local Management Board sponsored the program. He wanted to recruit for the program and it took an hour per week with a full year's commitment. This was geared towards middle school aged children and mentors would be trained. There were currently eighteen mentors, and more were needed. The number to call for an application was 410/778-6874.

Chief Eric Jackson was present from Kent and Queen Anne's Rescue Squad. He requested a blinking yellow light be installed on Route 291 along with a sign that read, "Watch for Emergency Vehicles". He said there was an increased concern from the Rescue Squad members because people did not yield to the emergency vehicles, as they should, even when lights and sirens were used. He stated that there was a request for a reduction of speed and a preemptory light, which had been denied by the SHA.

Mayor Bailey stated that SHA would be contacted with reference problems in the area, and she thought it was a good idea that Chief Jackson speak with SHA as well.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Visitors Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th at noon, with an open house until 4:00 p.m. He said the Chamber of Commerce had moved in and SCORE was already having meetings in the conference room.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Visitors Center served four purposes; the Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Office of Kent County, the use of the conference room by public and semi-public agencies that requested it, and the Visitors Center downstairs.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Kent County Commissioner's had invited the Council to meet with them in the Commissioner's Hearing Room on January 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss "matters of mutual interest". The Commissioners also wanted to meet on January 28th about the "Grant and Aid Program". The Mayor and Council stated that they would attend the meetings.

Mayor Bailey stated that she would like to move the Utilities and Mayor and Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 22nd to Monday, January 27th at 7:30 p.m. The Council agreed to the change.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an executive session on a land sale. Mayor Bailey stated that she wanted to request an executive session on a personnel matter as well. Mr. Clark moved for an executive session under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland to discuss land and personnel matters directly following the meeting. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Charter read, "In case of a vacancy on the Council for any reason, the Mayor and Council within forty-five (45) days shall elect from the same ward in which the vacancy occurred some qualified person to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term". Mayor Bailey nominated to appoint James R. Johnson to the vacant Council member position. She said he lived in the fourth district for twenty-five years and stood for the election in the fall of 1999 finishing second to Mr. Kirby.

Mr. Clark moved to appoint James R. Johnson to the Mayor and Council. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz noted that James Johnson would be serving for approximately ten months and then there would be a general election for the ward.

Mayor Bailey stated that Mr. Johnson would be sworn in at the January 27th meeting.

Mayor Bailey stated that Charter Communications sent letters to subscribers explaining that they dropped various programs to bring in other stations. She said there had been many complaints and she spoke with a manager to see what was happening. She said the Washington stations were also very important to subscribers. Mayor Bailey suggested that subscribers call the Washington stations and advise them what was happening.

Mr. Clark stated that it was time to look for alternatives to Charter Communications. Mr. Ingersoll stated that any email that was forwarded to the Town regarding Charter would be forwarded to Charter.

Mary Williams was present on behalf of C300, a group working together for the celebration of Chestertown's 300th anniversary. She had a proclamation, which she read into the record, asking the Council to affirm that they would be the official organization to develop the festivities.

Ms. Williams read a wish list of items they wanted to go ahead with such as a logo contest, art contests, sports, music, history, antiques, food, etc. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz requested to hold over a decision until there was a full Council in place. Mayor Bailey and Mr. Clark agreed.

Mr. Ingersoll asked why the Council would not have a role in accepting the winning design of the logo. Ms. Williams stated that a member of the Council would be asked to be on the committee that decided the winner of the logo contest.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Chestertown Arts League invited the community to celebrate the 2nd Annual Show. The opening reception would be held on January 19th from 1:00 - 3:00, with awards being distributed at 2:00 p.m. The exhibit dates were January 16th through February 19th at 312 Cannon Street. Hours were scheduled 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz complimented Mr. Ingersoll and Mayor Bailey for their work during the year and the report on Municipal Affairs. She said the Visitor's Center looked beautiful. Mayor Bailey stated that the building looked like it had always been there.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that the fire on College Avenue upset her. She said the barn on that property dated back to the early 1800's. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Fire Marshall had finished the investigation and rubble would begin to be cleared in the middle of the week. He said the new demolition by neglect rules were in effect by the Historic District Commission so that things like this fire would not happen.

Mr. Clark moved for the payment of bills, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, Mr. Clark moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor