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, W. Whaland Clark 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 meetings of June 21 st. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked for a moment of silence for the troops who are on active duty and their families.

Mayor Bailey stated that the 4 th of July event in the Fountain Park was a success and gave an overview of the day. Mayor Bailey thanked Darlene Usilton, Leslie Raimond, Ann VanSant, Gabriel Bright, Mary Maisel, Joanne Tobriner, Town Street Crew, and all other volunteers for their help.

Mayor Bailey stated that she had a $10,000.00 donation for next year’s fireworks if a matching $10,000.00 could be found. Anyone interested in fundraising should call the Town Hall. Mayor Bailey stated that a Victorian 4 th of July in the Fountain Park would be held next year along with fireworks, if a show was donated.

Mr. Bob Kiel of SHA was present and stated that funding was available for the improvement at Spring Street and Maple Avenue, which would be advertised by the Fall and constructed sometime in the Spring.

Mr. Kiel stated that he received authorization to overlay Washington Avenue/Maple Street from Greenwood Avenue to the bridge. SHA was proposing to enhance traffic operations by adding a center left-turn lane from Greenwood Avenue to Spring Street. Mayor Bailey stated that this would eliminate parking along Washington Avenue. Mayor Bailey asked residents along Washington Avenue to call their Councilperson with their opinion on the left-turn lane. Mr. Ingersoll stated that, in his opinion, it seemed that three-lanes was more commercial than residential.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that the closure of the Washington Avenue entrance to the Dollar General Shopping Center only diverted traffic to a residential area. Mr. Kiel stated that with the curb cutback a left turn could ultimately be made into the Dollar General.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that LGIT sent the Town the 8 th Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Local Government Insurance Trust. He explained that LGIT was closing the health benefits pool, which included certain amendments to the trust agreement. This amended trust agreement would implement the pool closure plan, which entailed a return of surplus to eligible members of the primary liability pool. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve the 8 th Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Local Government Insurance Trust, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he has been in contact with several relatives of the individuals who died 50 years ago in the Defense Plant explosion, who might attend the next meeting to recognize the loss.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Council had attended the MML Conference in Ocean City, MD and spoke of its value to Town government.

Mayor Bailey read a letter from the Kent County Emergency Management Agency into the record. On July 22, 2004, at 7:00 pm in the County Commissioner’s Office there would be a meeting to discuss a new 300' information tower within the SHA maintenance facility at 615 Morgnec Road. Anyone interested may attend.

Mayor Bailey stated that she was in receipt of a letter from the Kent County POP Warner Football and Cheer Teams seeking a $250.00 donation for the 2004-05 season. Mr. Ingersoll said that he would ask Ms. Edler for an estimate of the number of Chestertown children on the teams. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to donate $250.00 to the Kent County POP Warner Football and Cheer Teams, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that information on the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area were distributed to the Council members for their review and a Resolution would be presented at the next Council meeting.

Mayor Bailey requested an executive session for a personnel matter. Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session directly following the Mayor and Council meeting under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she would like Chestertown to partake in the National Night Out that was held in the beginning of August. Mayor Bailey said that she would look at the website and try to make arrangements.

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

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor