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 Public Hearing, Mayor and Council, or executive session meetings of August 16, 2004. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read the following into the record, “Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the executive session to order at 8:47 p.m. to discuss a contractual matter and a personnel matter. In attendance were Council members, Mabel Mumford-Pautz, W. Whaland Clark, James R. Johnson and Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W.S. Ingersoll, Town Manager and Joan Merryman, Stenographer. The Council unanimously approved the sale of an excess parcel of property at the rear of 600-602 High Street at the price of $200.00 to Thomas Linzs, adjacent owner of the property. The Council discussed a personnel matter. Minutes were taken and are part of the record. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Mayor Bailey asked for a moment of silence for those on active duty and their families.

Mayor Bailey introduced Judy Reveal, Chairperson of the C300 Committee. Ms. Reveal stated that the C300 Committee had a logo contest and showed the Council a picture of the logo that was chosen. She said that the logo would be put on various items such as t-shirts and mugs. There were many ideas that the Committee had and was in need of volunteers. She said that sub-committees had been formed and they decided to have 300 days of celebration beginning March 4, 2006 through December 30, 2006.

Ms. Reveal stated that the Committee met once a month and so far had funded C300 with donations from Committee members. Fundraising, beginning with Art in the Park, was underway. Several items were donated for sale and raffles. The raffles would last approximately 8-12 months.

Ms. Reveal stated that they were looking for seed money for commemorative coins to be minted and three (3) antique pictures of Chestertown that would be made into posters. The sale of these items would go into the budget for the C300 event.

Ms. Reveal said that in order for the 2006 event to take place many volunteers had to step forward and take over the events. She said that information seeking volunteers was in the newspaper, but no calls had been received, and the tercentennial celebration was only 18-months away.

Ms. Reveal stated that the next monthly meeting would be held on Monday, September 13 th at 5:15 at the Chamber Office. Anyone interested was welcome to attend.

Mayor Bailey asked for a representative from C300 to come to the Town Office and meet with Mr. Ingersoll to discuss a budget for the Town celebration.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz recommended that C300 contact the local civic organizations and involve the schools for help.

Mayor Bailey stated that the C300 celebration would be added to each agenda for the Mayor and Council meetings to gather volunteers and ideas.

Mr. Dave Hoopes was present to discuss the parking problems on Mt. Vernon Avenue. He said that it was difficult to make turns onto Campus with the work trucks. He also stated that the new parking rules were having unintended consequences. There were too many people, including family members and tradesmen, being ticketed on a daily basis. He asked if there was another way to approach the parking problems.

The Council decided that they would poll the neighbors to see if 1) temporary parking passes should be distributed, 2) paint yellow lines for 3’ on each side of the driveway, 3) go back to the old parking regulations and enforce them. Mayor Bailey stated that she would also contact other small towns to see how they handle their parking problems.

Mr. George Kastendike and Mr. Holden Rodgers were present to discuss speeding problems along Kent Circle. There was a petition to have speed bumps installed along N. Kent Street because too many people were speeding along to Washington Avenue and High Street. Mayor Bailey said that she was in agreement with the agreement and the speed bumps should be allowed with reflective markers on the side of the road (for when snow storms become an issue), especially along the bend in the road and because there was a school on the corner. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve the speed bumps along Kent Street with reflectors along the sidewalk, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Johnson stated that speeding was a problem all over Town, which needed immediate attention.

Mayor Bailey stated that a permit application was received for the Candlelight Walking Tour for Saturday, September 18 th from 5-9 p.m. The streets would be blocked on High Street from Queen Street to the river, Water Street from Maple Avenue to Cannon Street, and Church Alley from Court Street to Queen Street. The streets would be closed to traffic, and there would be no parking at all on the 100 blocks of north and south Water Streets. There would be no parking on Church Alley. The Rock Hall Trolley would make a loop running along Cannon Street, College Avenue, Calvert Street, Spring Avenue, High Street, Cross Street, Maple Avenue, Water Street, and Cannon Street with a total of seven (7) stops.

Mr. Clark moved to approve the permit for the Candlelight Walking Tour as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that there was a permit application from the Chester River Association for the Great Pumpkin Party, which was to be held on October 16 th from the last portion of High at Water Street to the River from 1:30-4 p.m. The landing was required to be blocked off all day for set up in the am. The Custom House’s yard would also be used for the event.

Mr. Clark moved to approve the permit as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation declaring September 17 th to the 23 rd as Constitution Week into the record.

Mayor Bailey read letter from Rebuilding Together Kent County, a volunteer home rehabilitation organization, into the record. A 7:30 breakfast meeting would be held on Tuesday, September 14th at the Presbyterian Church in Chestertown for all who would like to attend and were interested in learning about the organization.

Mayor Bailey stated that at the next meeting (September 20 th) she would ask the Council to pass an emergency ordinance extending the building moratorium for six (6) months in Chestertown.

Mayor Bailey stated that a letter was sent to the owners of Kent Plaza with reference to lighting and the lights were now on in the evening. Mr. Johnson stated that restriping was done at the Kent Plaza as well.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that the Kent County Community Marching Band would have their annual band appreciation night on Friday, September 24 th at 7:00 p.m. in the Fountain Park.

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

Mr. Clark moved 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