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 of May 17, 2004. Mr. Clark moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on May 3, 2004 at 8:20 pm to discuss contractual matters. All members of the Mayor and Council were present. Two contractual matters were discussed and motions were made for approval. The Council unanimously approved the sale of 700 High Street for the price of $15,000.00 to Gregory and DeLauria Sutton to build a Victorian house and garage. The Council unanimously declared a 30 x 72’ lot on Lynchburg Street as excess property and to sell the lot to Gregory Sutton for $4,500.00 to build a single-family home. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the public hearing on the budget was held before the meeting and stated that the budget could now be adopted. Mr. Bristoll moved to adopt Ordinance 2-2004 Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ordinance #4-2004 General Obligation Indebtedness – Water Treatment Plant Upgrade for $1,800,000.00 would replace an Ordinance that was passed three years ago for a lesser amount to build the water treatment plant. Mr. Clark moved to pass Ordinance #4-2004 General Obligation Indebtedness – Water Treatment Plant Upgrade as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ordinance #5-2004 Repealing Ordinance No. 6-02 would repeal the Ordinance that was in place before Ordinance 4-2004. Mr. Clark moved to approve Ordinance #5-2004 Repealing Ordinance No. 6-02, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ordinance #6-2004 Water and Sewer Revision was part of the budget for fiscal year 2004-05. He said that rates had not risen since 1995 and this would increase the water and sewer fees by 13%. He said that the water and sewer upgrade that was going to be done would cost $1.8 million and $4.4 million respectively. He said the Town’s rates were still lower than most municipalities. Mr. Clark moved to adopt Ordinance #6-2004 Water and Sewer Revision, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ordinance #7-2004 Amendment to Critical Area Ordinance held the modified buffer area provisions in IDAs, LDAs, and RCAs. He said the Critical Areas Commission required this because a large portion of land was annexed into the Town one year ago. He said that the buffer area provisions had to expand to meet present standards.

The Council discussed the buffer requirements. The Council decided to eliminate (b), (10) C, and (10) D on page 4 of 8. On (b)(10) A they voted to leave out the wording, “or at another location approved by the Planning Commission”. They then voted to remove (c) (10) C on page 6 of 8.

Mr. Bristoll moved to approve Ordinance #7-2004 Amendment to Critical Area Ordinance as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had a fee schedule change for building and zoning permits and read the Resolution, which would become effective July 1, 2004, into the record. Mr. Ingersoll explained that the changes, most notable being that above 3,000 square feet would cost $1,000.00 for a building permit. Mr. Clark moved to approve the Resolution as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the MVA would be in Chestertown on July 19 th and 20 th, August 16 th and 17 th, September 20 th and 21 st, October 18 th and 19 th, November 15 th and 16 th, and December 13 th and 14 th.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the an arts program presented by Echo Hill School would have an opening at the Carla Massoni Gallery on June 19 th at 6:30 pm.

Mayor Bailey read a request from the Chester Bridge Foundation into the record. She said that if anybody was interested and was a non-government employed county resident, they should contact her at the Town Office to discuss their becoming a member of the Board of Directors.

Mayor Bailey requested an executive session to discuss a legal matter after the meeting. Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland, directly following the conclusion of the Mayor and Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Town had received a petition from the residents of S. Kent Street for three speed bumps to be installed. Mayor Bailey stated that she had previously discussed the idea of making Kent and Cannon Streets a four-way stop. She said that Cannon Street was having problems with people speeding and the same problem was now along Kent Street. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he did not like four-way stops, but there was a recent serious accident from a person coming off of Kent Street and the accident caused a truck to be totaled and a Verizon box to be destroyed. Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ms. Janet Rowney of Cannon Street had brought up the problem of speeding before. Mr. Ingersoll stated that speed bumps should only be used on narrow streets such as Prospect and Queen, where parking caused a safety hazard combined with narrowness. He said speed bumps caused trouble for the snow plows.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that because the block was downhill and narrow people tend to speed. There was a unified commitment by the homeowners to fix the problems on the block. Mr. Ingersoll stated that portable speed bumps were available and could be installed directly into the street. He said that South Kent Street was very narrow and N. Queen and Prospect Street speed bumps could be used here. He also endorsed a four-way stop at the corner of S. Kent and Cannon. The Council agreed to the installation of the temporary speed bumps on S. Kent Street and a four-way stop at the corner of Kent and Cannon.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that High and Cannon Street both had speeding problems. She said that a speed sign alerting people how fast they were traveling should be posted. Mr. Johnson stated that Chief Coryell told them that their sign was broken. Mr. Johnson stated that the pedestrian sign at the post office was also broken and should be replaced.

Mayor Bailey stated that Music in the Park was cancelled for June 12 th.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Tea Party was a huge success. She said that volunteers were needed for next year’s Tea Party. She said that those who brought animals this year were advised that next year animals would not be permitted.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz thanked the fire companies that responded to the fire in the third ward on Friday, June 4 th. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the street crew would be cleaning up around the property and he was going to get bids to have the condemned house removed.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a house on Prospect Street, which he would like permission to condemn and give the owner the chance to clean up the house before demolition would take place. The Council agreed to Mr. Ingersoll’s request.

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

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor