Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were council members Mabel Mumford-Pautz, James R. Johnson and Whaland Clark, 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 previous meeting of October 20, 2003. Mr. Clark moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he issued a permit to the Kent County Jaycees for their annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 29 th beginning at 10 a.m. with a rain or snow dated of December 6 th . The Council approved the permit.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Halloween Parade was a success and people seemed pleased to have the parade at night once more. Mayor Bailey stated that the College did a good job helping with the parade.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Christmas lights would be lit in Town on Friday, November 28th at 7:00 p.m. when Santa arrives in Town.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Margaret Mayberry, representing Play It Again Sam, was petitioning for a beer and wine license (class B). Mr. Ingersoll stated that the restaurant was only planning to sell wine to go along with meals and it would not be allowed outside the restaurant. He said the hearing would be held at 9:45 a.m. on November 18. Mr. Ingersoll said that the Council could make any comments to him at the next meeting. Mayor Bailey stated that Ms. Mayberry along with her staff had taken the TIPS class already.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Super Soda Center at 302 Maple Avenue had a change of owners. There would be a hearing for a transfer of their beer, wine and liquor license at the County Commissioner's office at 9:15 a.m. on November 18 th .

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he received notice that there would be a Block Grant monitoring visit for the Senior Center on Monday, November 24 th . Mr. Ingersoll explained that the monitoring visit reviewed project management, record keeping, and documentation. The review would start at 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he and Ms. Jen Stead gave a presentation on the progress of the Visitors Center at the Tourism Board meeting on Monday, October 27 th . He said that even before the end of October there had been 1500 visitors that month.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Local Management Board (LMB) would be renting office space on the second floor of the Town Hall on a year-to-year basis beginning December 1, 2003.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Eastern Shore Heritage open house and workshop would be held on Wednesday, November 12 th from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Kent County Commissioners Hearing Room.

Mayor Bailey stated that a request had been made from Kent County Tourism on behalf of Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc. (ESHI) to request Chestertown's participation for funding. The proposal had to be accepted by all counties and incorporated town governments in the management plan and the MHMA in order to submit the application for area heritage certification. The certification entitled ESHI to apply for matching funds, loans, and tax benefits that would support planning and other programs encouraging revitalization and reinvestment in heritage areas. She said that each of the four counties and towns committed $15,000.00 toward the dollar portion of the grant match. Kent County committed $10,000. Chestertown's portion came to $2,600. The Council agreed that the Town should contribute something, even if they could not come up with the entire amount. Mayor Bailey stated that Chestertown would be one of the main benefactors if they became a certified area. Mr. Ingersoll added that there was still time to add to the list on the plan, like items in the Visitors Center that were left out due to fund shortages.

Mayor Bailey nominated Mr. Robert Kestell to replace Kees deMooy on the Historic District Commission for a 3-year term. She said that the Council would vote at the next meeting.

Mayor Bailey stated that the C-300 would hold a Town Meeting on Monday, November 10 th at 7:00 p.m. for ideas for Chestertown's 300 th celebrations. The meeting would be open to the public.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Kent Family Center was hold an open house on November 15 th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town was planting the street trees along the front and back and the streetlights would be installed by Baldwin Electric.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Town Election for the 2 nd and 4 th wards was being held on Tuesday, November 4 th from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mr. Whaland Clark and Mr. James R. Johnson were running unopposed.

Mayor Bailey stated that she and Mrs. Mumford-Pautz attended the Fall Legislative Conference run by the MML in Cambridge, Maryland. Three ideas that they wanted to encourage were protecting and restoring municipal resources, heritage structure rehabilitation tax credit program, and restoring municipal zoning authority.

Mr. Clark stated that Boy Scout Troop 130 from Chestertown presented Mr. Clark with a plaque to the Mayor and Council as a thank you for the Council's support. He presented the plaque to the Council.

There being no further business, Mr. Clark moved for payment of bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor