Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 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 of August 18, 2003. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Ms. Brenda Strange of the Chestertown Garden Club was present to discuss a project that the Garden Club was interested in undertaking in the Wilmer Park. They wished to kill the phragmites between the pavilion and the townhouses and along the shoreline. The Chesapeake Bay Trust had monies available for a community project and the Garden Club would need volunteers from the community to help. Ms. Strange had met with several people who were gathering information needed for the application. A site plan complete with soil types for the area had to be prepared before moving any further. She asked for the Council’s approval to proceed with the project since it would be on Town land. The request for the funds had to be in either in September or November, with an answer in two to three months. The monies would be available for one year. Ms. Strange wanted to complete the application for a November submission, but until the site plan was done did not know how much the one-acre parcel would cost to spray.

Mr. Clark stated that the college offered the “Into the Streets” program in August and were looking for projects to undertake. He also said that the college had a bush hog that could be used when the time came.

Mr. Clark moved to approve for Ms. Strange to proceed for the grant money from the Chesapeake Bay Trust in order to get rid of the phragmites in the Wilmer Park, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Thomas Yeager was present to discuss a rezoning request for the properties at 201 and 203 Maple Avenue. The properties were zoned R3 and the owners wished to change the zoning to RB (Professional Office). Mr. Yeager stated that the properties were well suited for an office district and it was now the best use for the houses as the area had changed over the years in several ways. Further, Mr. Yeager believed that the homes were zoned incorrectly on the map.

Mr. Yeager gave a lengthy description of the area and the way it had changed over the years. He also submitted a list of the area zoning changed that had been made since the last comprehensive rezoning.

Mr. Yeager stated that the owners of 201 and 203 Maple Avenue were joined together and agreed to the request.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the new Comprehensive Plan would not specifically address these small properties so the Planning Commission sent it to the Mayor and Council with a positive recommendation. He said if Mr. Yeager had to wait for Comprehensive Rezoning it would add several months before the Comprehensive Plan was adopted.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the fact that there was an error in the map was not definitive, but mitigating. Mr. Ingersoll also stated that the properties would not be allowed to have residences upstairs with RB zoning since there was no off street parking.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved for a zoning change for 201-203 Maple Avenue from R3 to RB and to schedule a public hearing, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll read the 2003 Election Schedule into the record.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town received word from the State Highway Administration of their intention to proceed on the Campus Avenue/Route 213 traffic light. They will begin on September 8th with sixty days to finish (excluding inclement weather) with an interconnect to the other lights on Route 213.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said that the Washington Square Shopping Center should be lined with new exit patterns since the exit had been changed and not indicated anywhere with signs in the lot. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had contacted State Highway with reference to the change.

Mr. Bristoll asked if Mr. Ingersoll could get an SHA explanation on the yield sign at Route 20 and Route 291.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that on Tuesday, September 3rd at 10:00 a.m. the Green Machine Sweeper was going to be demonstrated downtown on the brick sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.

Mr. Ingersoll introduced Ordinance 7-03, an Ordinance to repeal and re-enact with amendments Section 170-15 (Site plan review required for certain uses) of the Code of the Town of Chestertown. Mr. Clark moved for a public hearing for Ordinance 7-03, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll introduced Ordinance 6-03, an Ordinance to amend Section 160-12 of the Town of Chestertown Vehicles and Traffic Ordinance into the record. He said this would prohibit commercial truck parking on Town streets. Mr. Clark moved for a public hearing for Ordinance 6-03, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition and Show, being held on October 17th and 18th had submitted requests to: waive the open container law for Friday, October 17th from 5 to 9 p.m. for the downtown area; place a large sign in front of the Visitors Center from October 16th to 19th advertising the Wildlife Show; use traffic cones to block parking spaces in the area of Emmanuel Church and Prince Theatre to unload for the show on Friday, October 17th from 8 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, October 18th from 3:30 to 6 p.m.; and to hang a banner for the Wildlife Show to go up on October 1st until October 21st on lower High Street.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the permits for the Wildlife Exhibition and Show be approved, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Echo Hill had the responsibility of providing services to Chestertown residents in the spring or fall under their contract with the Town for the use of Cannon Street pier. They were proposing a fall outing using both boats for a sunset cruise from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. It would be held on either October 3rd or 10th. The sail would be open to Chestertown residents only. A positive date would be announced at the next meeting.

Mayor Bailey stated that Officer Becker had resigned from the police department and moved to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Department.

Mayor Bailey stated that the COG meeting was on September 17th at Town Hall. The entire Council planned to attend. The guest speaker was P.A.M. Schaller.

Mayor Bailey stated that she would be seeking reappointments and new appointments at the next meeting. Reappointments as follows: Alex Rasin, Chairman of the Ethics Commission for three years from July 1, 2003; Ted Hornaday as Board of Appeals alternate for three years from July 1, 2003; Cynthia Saunders to the Tree Committee for three years from February 1, 2003; Jane Scott to the Tree Committee for three years from September 1, 2003; and Davy McCall to the Historic District Commission for three years from September 1, 2003. The new appointments were as follows: Joanne Tobriner to the Tree Committee for three years from September 1, 2003 and Lanny Parks as a Board of Appeals alternate for three years from September 1, 2003.

Mayor Bailey stated that on Tuesday, September 16th at 11:00 a.m. the SOS Family Support Center was holding their ribbon cutting ceremony and there would be a housewarming on September 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Mayor Bailey stated that when the landfill was closed for a holiday there would not be trash pick-up the night before in Town.

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

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor