Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Council members Mabel Mumford-Pautz, W. Whaland Clark, 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 Mayor and Council meeting or executive session of March 15, 2004. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Darren Brozene, former President of the Washington College SGA, was present to introduce Mr. Mike Shaffer as his successor.

Mr. Brozene stated that he was a part of a ride along with the Police Department patrolling Chestertown. He said that students and neighbors working out problems before conflict arose should be a focus for the off-campus college students. He added that he was working with Tom Truitt to interview and survey members of the community in order to gauge how to continue good relations with the college. Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Brozene for his service.

Mr. Mike Shaffer stated that he was looking forward to working with the Mayor and Council and would attend monthly meetings to update the Council on the events taking place at the College. He said that relations of the Town with students both on and off-campus was a high priority on his agenda.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was in receipt of a permit for the Good Friday procession through Town by the Chestertown Minister’s Association. It started at Wilmer Park at noon with fourteen (14) stops along the way to Chestertown Cemetery. Mr. Clark moved to approve the permit for the Good Friday Procession, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was in receipt of a request from Mr. Allen Gilchrest of the Washington College Church, who wanted to have a concert featuring contemporary Christian Music in the park from 7pm to 10 pm on April 30 th, with a small stage and electric hookup. Mr. Ingersoll said he thought more information was required since no specific park was mentioned. He added, if the concert was to be held in the Fountain Park it was too late for music as that type of event generally ended around 8:30pm.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Mt. Vernon Avenue residents had a petition initiated by Mr. Ken Beatty for resident parking on that block. There were several residents from Mt. Vernon Avenue in the audience. Mr. Ingersoll explained that there was an Ordinance prepared to be introduced that might solve the parking problems.

Mayor Bailey read Ordinance 1-2004 Amendment to Charter 160 of the Code of the Town of Chestertown (Vehicles and Traffic) into the record. Mayor Bailey explained that this was introduction of the Ordinance, which if approved, would be adopted on April 19, 2004 and effective May 9, 2004.

Mayor Bailey stated that Mt. Vernon and Brown Street (right hand side) were added to the Ordinance, and the Ordinance redefined the word “resident” to mean only those who live on the street. She said that residents would have to register their tags with the Police Department so that the officer on duty would be able to designate those in violation of the Ordinance.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Ordinance would not be in effect on weekends and after 6pm on weekdays, as heavy parking was during weekly work hours.

Mr. RB Harris asked how guest parking would be handled. Mayor Bailey stated that this Ordinance was an effort to resolve the immediate problem and the Council could entertain the idea of parking passes for guests in the future.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the change in the Ordinance was a good faith effort by the Town to give the residents parking near their homes. He said the construction at the College was having a large impact on parking throughout the Town, but hoped the Ordinance would alleviate Mt. Vernon’s parking problems as they seemed to be the most pressing.

Mr. Beatty had a mock-up sign which he priced at $29.00 per sign and requested be erected along the block. It specifically stated that no students or faculty could park on the block.

Mayor Bailey stated that the meter monitor would be told to patrol the block for violators of the Ordinance during the heaviest time of traffic (11am-1pm) on weekdays. Mr. Ingersoll stated the College should be involved in any discussion about parking problems since their system of permits could help.

Mr. Beatty stated that another problem was that people were parking in front of driveways, thereby creating a problem when the residents needed to get out. He said that police and campus security were called but were not timely in their response, sometimes taking as long as four (4) hours to respond to the call.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve Ordinance 1-2004 Amendment to Charter 160 of the Code of the Town of Chestertown (Vehicles and Traffic). The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the fine for parking in a “resident only” parking area was $10.00 for the first offense and $25.00 for each repeat offense within a one (1) year period.

Mayor Bailey stated that she would see that the sign on the street was put back in place and discussion with the College would be held. If problems continued, a look at speed bumps and other options for traffic calming and parking would take place.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he wanted to acknowledge Angelica Nurseries for their donation of all the major trees (with a wholesale value of $400.00) to the Betty Anne Connolly Garden on Mill and Cannon Streets.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that once again, Chestertown was awarded Tree City USA and the PLANT (People Loving and Nurturing Trees) Award. Mr. Ingersoll thanked Ms. Merryman for her work in preparing the applications, and the people involved in the Tree Committee.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an executive session for three (3) contractual matters. Mr. Bristoll moved under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland for an executive session for three (3) contractual matters directly following the conclusion of the Mayor and Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that she wanted to further address the room rental tax. She asked Mr. Ingersoll to comment. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he contacted Rock Hall a month ago and at that time they were not in favor of the 2% tax increase, but did not know if anything had changed since that time. Mayor Bailey stated that Chestertown should make a decision based on the facts that they had. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would like to see a new Memorandum of Understanding reflecting the discussed changes as well as letter from the innkeepers in support of the 2% raise of the tax. The Council agreed.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Eastern Shore Dinner would be held on April 22 nd. She said if the members of the Council were going to attend, Ms. Merryman should be notified by April 8 th with their menu selection.

Mayor Bailey stated that with regard to dogs at the Tea Party, there had been a suggestion to put up and hand out flyers that dogs would be prohibited at festivals beginning in 2005. The Council agreed that this should be done. Mayor Bailey stated that she would work on signage.

Ms. Bonnie Smith, Coventry Farms resident, was present to discuss further problems at the Coventry Farms construction site. She said that lots 6, 7, 41, 56 and 83 had been staked and dug, without the resident’s knowledge that permits had been issued. She said that the construction site was still a mess, wanted to have the trailer moved and something done about the port-o-pots on site. Also, Ms. Smith noted that there did not seem to be a foreman on site at all times and was aware of noisy work taking place on Sundays, which was supposed to be prohibited, and work was continuing past 7pm, Monday through Saturday.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she was out to the site and saw the need for additional lighting. Also, she felt as though there was a lot of material lying around the site that should be put away. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town would need a letter from the residents regarding lighting, as lighting was the Town’s responsibility. He stated that the Town would only install street lighting at standardized intervals, not at every home.

Mayor Bailey stated that she was in contact with Bob Ward Homes and the drywall company that was working on Sunday was unaware with the agreement that any work causing noise could not be performed on Sundays. It was also stated that work not causing noise, such as painting, could be performed between the hours of 7am to 3pm on Sundays.

Ms. Libby Miller, Water Street resident, stated that her son was skateboarding on the road in front of their home and was told by a neighbor that he would receive a $100.00 fine if he was caught doing it again. She said that she saw skateboarding as an activity similar to bike riding or rollerblading and did not believe that it should be disallowed in the Town. Mayor Bailey explained that skateboarding was a liability and not covered under the Town’s insurance and there was an Ordinance in effect against skateboarding in Town that was a fineable offense. Ms. Miller stated that she wanted a copy of the Ordinance and the Town’s insurance policy. Mayor Bailey stated that the documents would be provided.

Ms. Miller stated that if her son was in front of their house on a skateboard, she did not expect that he would be fined. Mayor Bailey stated that the Town was required under the State Insurance to prohibit skateboarding. Mr. Miller stated that he would be willing to sign a release to exclude himself and his family from the Town’s insurance, assuming their own responsibility if an injury occurred.

Mayor Bailey stated that parents of skateboarders were at a meeting several years ago and were told that if they wanted to work with the Town to have a place to skateboard, the Town would work with them. That was the last time any of the parents came to a meeting and the issue was never brought up again.

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

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor