Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. In attendance were Council members Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz, James R. Johnson and Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., 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 or the executive session of July 21, 2003. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey thanked Margie Elsburg for fixing the sound on the microphones.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had a Resolution from SOS and read it into the record. Ms. Judy Lynn from Shared Opportunity Services, Inc., was present and stated that the purpose of the Resolution was to enable low-income families to receive day-care through grant monies. She said the Purchase of Care Program, which was a State subsidized program through Social Services, had a freeze on day-care for low-income families and daycare was needed in the Chestertown area. SOS wanted to respond to the need and would be requesting $50,000 in tax credits from the State.

Ms. Lynn stated that the Open House for the SOS building was being held on September 20th. She thanked the Town for the support of the SOS building.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that Mayor Bailey sign the SOS Resolution, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Shore Up’s CDBG grant application was presented to the Department of Housing and Community Development on July 31st. He said they needed some clarification on what the Town’s support would be, and Mr. Ingersoll outlined the general administrative work. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was hopeful Shore Up would receive the grant, making it the third entity that the Town has assisted in two years.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Mr. Thomas Yeager submitted a letter requesting a public hearing to rezone 201 and 203 Maple Avenue. Mr. Ingersoll said that Mr. Yeager presented an application for rezoning to the Planning Commission which received their endorsement in June. His request was to rezone his and the Gruber’s property from R-3 (two-family residential) to R-B (Professional Office).

Mr. Clark stated that the Council should hear Mr. Yeager’s presentation before any decision was made on a public hearing. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would ask Mr. Yeager to attend the next meeting and make his presentation.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Comprehensive Plan would not specifically address these properties so it was not crucial to wait for the new Comprehensive Plan to be adopted.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Planning Commission had finished their work on The Site Plan Review portion of the Zoning Ordinance. They have forwarded the revised review process to the Council for possible adoption as a text change amendment. The Planning Commission felt that many existing properties were being changed substantially without site plan approval. Things like street trees and ingress/egress were not being considered as a result. Mr. Ingersoll stated that a public hearing would be required for the change and the Council would rule whether the change was made or not.

Mr. Clark moved to schedule a public hearing for the text change amendment, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that Officer John Beville notified the Town of his resignation, which was effective Friday, August 1st. He was offered a position with the Maryland State Police. Mayor Bailey wished him luck and stated that advertisements would begin soon for a replacement.

Mayor Bailey read a letter from the County Commissioners into the record. Mayor Bailey appointed Mr. Bristoll as a representative of the Council for the LaMotte Study group as per the Commissioner’s request in the letter.

Rev. Fisher was present and thanked the Town for the changes in his neighborhood such as lighting and tree trimming.

Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session under section 10.508 of the annotated code of the State of Maryland directly following the meeting for a personnel matter and financial matter, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that earlier in the day the Chestertown Middle School was dedicated to Jack Stenger. Mr. Stenger had been a principal at that site (when it was Chestertown High School) for many decades.

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 7:57 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor