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 James R. Johnson, 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 March 18, 2003. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark introduced the boy scouts from Troop 130 in Chestertown. Scoutmaster Bill Clark stated that he wanted to thank the Mayor and Council for their program that made an outing on the Sultana possible. He said the money that was saved by not having to pay for the trip would go to scholarships for scouts to go to summer camp. He stated that the boys were working on merit badges and thanked everyone for helping them to do that. Mr. Ingersoll mentioned later in the meeting that the second slot on the Sultana was given to the local girl scouts.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held directly following the Mayor and Council meeting of March 18, 2003. The entire Mayor and Council was present and a unanimous decision was made concerning a contractual agreement. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Chief Coryell stated that for the month of March there were thirty-eight (38) adult arrests with sixty (60) charges placed. The primary charge was CDS (19), assault (10), theft (7) and (4) DWI. There were twenty-two (22) juveniles arrested with twenty-seven (27) separate charges placed. The leading category for juveniles was assault (9), MDOP (5), and CDS (3). There were six (6) civil citations issues, five (5) for open container and one (1) for littering. There were fifty-three (53) motor vehicle citations issued and two hundred eighty-three (283) vehicle warnings issued. He said there were nine hundred and eight (908) calls for service.

Chief Coryell stated that the Narcotics Task Force conducted three (3) search and seizure warrants. He said he wanted to thank the Sheriff’s Office and the Washington College Security for their assistance in the armed robbery. He said he was grateful for the cooperation among the agencies.

Chief Coryell introduced a new report, which compared the first quarter of 2003 with the first quarter of 2002.

Ms. Billie Beck asked Chief Coryell if the curfew that was listed in the paper was enforced. Chief Coryell stated that it was not enforced and should be removed from the paper.

Mr. Dean Zang, from Washington College, was present to introduce the new President of the student body, Mr. Darren Brozene. Mr. Brozene stated that he would like to continue to work with the Town and the students, faculty, and staff of Washington College.

Mr. Brozene stated that Earth Day would be held at Wilmer Park on Saturday, April 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mr. Brozene stated that the public safety officers from the college would be more visible in the Town on weekends. Their routes would be altered during evening hours, specifically on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Mr. Gibson Anthony was present on behalf of the Chestertown Tea Party. He wanted to introduce Ms. Carolyn Meekins, Vice President, and Sue Willits, Secretary. He said that they were present to request a Tea Party extension of the street closure from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., which would allow more time for clean-up and safety for the vendors while packing up. The Council agreed to the extension of one hour for the Tea Party.

Members of the Venture Club were present and asked the Council if it would be okay to tie yellow ribbons around the meters downtown Chestertown as their service project. They encouraged businesses in the area to hang yellow ribbons as well. The Council agreed to the request.

Mr. Dave McIntyre, along with some members of the Committee in support of the Airport, were present to request a letter from the Council in favor of the County Airport. Mr. Bob Jones stated that the State had recognized Kent County as the only county on the Eastern Shore that did not have an airport and they offered an additional grant sum to help the State come up with the cost of revenue producing items, such as a fuel farm.

Mayor Bailey explained that with this type of decision the Council usually liked to have time to absorb the information and then make a decision. Mr. McIntyre stated that the College wrote a strong letter of support because the corporate access to the county could have a tremendous impact on the county.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he wanted to thank Margie Elsburg who designed and installed the new lapel microphone system.

Mr. Howard Johnson was present to discuss outdoor dining at Subway, on behalf of Zeb Brodie. He said that a permit was applied for and Subway was allowed to dine outdoors, but had to move tables and chairs in at night. They had already purchased the cement tables and chairs. He said that they had invested a lot of money in the area and the idea was not to have a problems, and if there was one, he would correct it immediately.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she would oppose the application again. She said that tables and chairs were not permitted out during the night downtown and they should not be allowed uptown.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Play It Again Sam’s was supposed to bring their tables in at night, but some nights did not and it had never been a problem. He said Unruh’s used to have picnic tables outside. The Blue Heron had outdoor dining and left the tables out, however, they did not use a public sidewalk but were out on a private patio.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that the tables would not easily be removed. Mr. Johnson said if there were problems that the tables and chairs would be removed and put in storage as they were now, and they would use a different type of table outside. He said the patio was designed to not be in the public way.

Mr. Bristoll stated that Mr. Johnson said if there was a problem he would remove the tables and moved to give Subway a chance to try the cement tables and chairs. If there were any report of a problem, the tables and chairs would be removed. Mr. Clark seconded the motion for purposes of discussion.

Mr. Johnson stated that Mr. Brodie and he had worked hard to develop a restaurant in an area that needed development and revitalization. Their intent was to help the area, not hinder it. Mr. Clark stated that he thought the tables out at night might become an attractive nuisance and would encourage people to hang out after business hours. Mr. Ingersoll stated that outdoor dining was always probationary and there was not an instance where there was a problem.

The motion failed with two in favor, three opposed (Mr. Clark, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Mumford-Pautz).

Mr. Ingersoll read a request from Chester Valley Minister’s Association to hold a Good Friday Procession through the Town stopping at various places along the route on Friday, April 18th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Mr. Clark moved to approve the permit as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll announced the budget enactment schedule. The Council decided to change the workshop session to Tuesday, May 13th at 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Council received a copy of the MML State Budget Position Statement and read the sample letter into the record. He stated this was a sample letter that could be sent to the Senators and Delegates. The Council agreed that they would send letters only if the session was extended.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a request for a Memorial Day Parade on May 26, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., beginning at Dixon Drive and ending at Stam’s Hall. Mr. Mumford asked if the Council would participate. The Council agreed to the request for the parade and said they would attend and participate.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Amber Fetterhoff did a landscaping plan for the Visitors Center gratis. He stated that there was a proposal to carry out the plan from Unity for $9,345.50. Mr. Ingersoll reviewed the proposal. He said there were funds in the budget for paid personnel in the center that were unspent because of the use of volunteers and wanted to know if the Council wanted to use the funds for the project.

Mr. Bristoll stated that he would like to bid out the project. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he could amend the proposal to have the soil amended and the larger trees put installed. Mr. Clark stated the he could put the trees in and put the rest out to bid in the fall. Mr. Clark stated that an irrigation bid should also be done.

Mr. Clark moved to plant just the trees, and obtain bids for the other work as well as irrigation. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session on personnel matters and a contractual matter under section 10.508 of the annotated code of the State of Maryland. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation designating April 2003 as Fair Housing Month into the record.

Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation for Arbor Day declaring Chestertown Tree City USA for 2003 into the record. She said that Arbor Day would be celebrated on Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at 1:15 p.m. at the Kent County Courthouse and that there would be free trees this year as in the past.

Mayor Bailey read letters from Delegates Walkup and Sossi with reference to the Upper Shore Mental Hospital remaining open into the record.

Mayor Bailey stated that on Tuesday, April 8, at 8:30 a.m. there would be a presentation by the SHA for solutions to Route 213 and Route 291, and Route 213 and Spring Avenue. It would be at the County Commissioners Hearing Room.

Mr. Anthony stated that the Tea Party Committee was looking for young people to volunteer.

There being no further business, Mr. Clark made a motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor