Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:35 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 meetings of September 7, 2004. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $184,651.79.

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

Chief Coryell was present and stated that for the month of August 2004 there were thirty-four (34) adult arrests with the placement of seventy (70) separate charges. There were eleven (11) juvenile arrests with the placement of fourteen (14) charges. One (1) civil citation was issued for a bike on the sidewalks. There were eighty-one (81) traffic citations issues and two hundred two (202) warnings issued. Total calls for service were five hundred twelve (512).

Mr. Bristoll asked if the Council could receive a breakdown of the warnings that were issued. Chief Coryell stated that he would run a report and present it to the Council.

Chief Coryell stated that there was a problem with the radar machine that was purchased and was returned to the company because there were problems that needed fixing. It would be back on the streets as soon as it was back.

Mr. Drew McMullen, of Schooner Sultana, Inc., was present and stated that when the tide came in the water inundated the dock by 1½’. He said that a trip from Montgomery County had to be cancelled last week as a result, after they arrived in Chestertown. He asked if there was something that could be done to get people safely to the dock whether the tide was in or out.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that plans were drawn for the Cannon Street bulk-heading project which included a walkway from the footbridge past the community pier to the end of the Town property. Mr. McMullen asked the timeframe for it to be built. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the plans were finished and the Town was hoping to receive funds from the State to fund the project. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the plan was ready to bid out and if the grant money provided was adequate it could be built during the winter months.

Mr. Michael Schaeffer, SGA President for Washington College, was present and stated that the school year was off to a good start and the student government was busy planning activities geared to keep students at the campus on weekends. He said that activities were planned for students as well as residents of Chestertown.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he received a request from the Local Management Board to lease additional space on the second floor of the Town Hall in order to expand their personnel. The small meeting room, separated from the large meeting room by a collapsible wall, was what the LMB wanted to use. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the money from the LMB for rent was a needed “windfall” to the Town and they were good tenants. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve the additional space to the Local Management Board, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was in receipt of a permit application for the Kent County High School Homecoming Parade set for Saturday, October 9 th at 9:00 am, beginning at Dixon Valve and continuing to the foot of High Street. High Street from Dixon to Park Row would be closed for the parade. Mr. Clark moved to approve the permit as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had a proposal for the expansion of the Historic District. He said that the Historic District Commission had several members who were faculty of or connected with Washington College in some way, which disallowed them to vote or discuss any expansion that included the College as it could be a perceived conflict of interest. The Ethics Commission had ruled that only three (3) members of the Council could involve themselves with the expansion because the remaining two (2) members were either employees of the college, or spouses of employees. Mr. Ingersoll asked the three (3) remaining members of the Council if they were interested in hearing a presentation of the proposed expanded district. The three (3) remaining members of the Council were in agreement to hear the proposal. Mayor Bailey and Mr. Clark recused themselves from the discussion.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Historic District Commission had performed an in-depth study of the existing Historic District, the existing National Register District, and studied the needs and locations of older homes that were not in the Historic District. Mr. Ingersoll showed a map that demonstrated the boundaries that the Historic District thought should be included in the expansion. He said that single site locations such as Lauretum, Stepne Manor House, Radcliffe Mill, and the National Guard Armory were also included.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there were several benefits to being in the Historic District and noted examples such as appreciation in home values, greater tax revenue, heritage tourism, and tax credits from the State, as well as expanded tax revenues to the Town as a result of upgrades or restorations.

Mr. Ingersoll said, if the Council wanted to proceed, a public hearing should be scheduled. The Council decided that they did want to have a public hearing based on the recommendations and it was scheduled for October 18, 2004 beginning at 7:00 pm.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that many residents would have questions and concerns regarding the expansion and said that they could contact the Town Office either in person or by letter before the public hearing if they wished. Residents could also review the maps that were drawn at Town Hall. Mr. Ingersoll said that the expansion was tailored to structures that were over 100 years old or nearing that age.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an executive session following the meeting for a contractual and personnel matter. Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session directly following the meeting for a personnel and contractual matter under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey introduced Mrs. Patsy Hornaday, who was retiring from the Beautification Committee. Mayor Bailey read a long summary of all the time Mrs. Hornaday spent volunteering over many years, mainly with public gardens. Mayor Bailey presented Mrs. Hornaday with a gift to thank her for all of her work.

Mrs. Hornaday requested that the Beautification Committee become a smaller advisory group, which was appointed by the Mayor and Council, that could hear different ideas for gardens from the Community and try to have them accomplished. The Mayor and Council agreed.

Mayor Bailey discussed the Rebuilding Together Kent County Organization. She said that in Kent County there were 2,342 people living below poverty level, which was 13% of the population. She asked that residents find time to volunteer for the organization, which fixed homes in need of repair for those less fortunate.

Mayor Bailey stated that there would be a hearing in the County Commissioner’s building at 6:30 p.m. on September 22 nd for the “Gateway Design” signage and plantings. All were welcome. Mayor Bailey asked for a vote from the Council for the proposed signage. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve the signage and plantings as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that there was a necessity to extend the building moratorium for six (6) months, with conceptual reviews to begin after three (3) months. She said that the Comprehensive Plan and Rezoning should be finished by that time and that the Planning Commission had been working over time to complete them. Mayor Bailey read Ordinance 8-04 Emergency Ordinance Extending the One Year Moratorium in Chestertown into the record. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve Ordinance 8-04 Emergency Ordinance Extending the One Year Moratorium in Chestertown as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she received a letter regarding an entrance to a side street in Town. She said that the Town Council and Town Manager had certain guidelines to follow, but did not have the right to tell someone to paint there property unless the structure fell under “demolition by neglect” regulations.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that the “Rock of Ages” house on High Street was becoming a hangout for teenagers and they were trespassing on private property. Chief Coryell stated that a trespasser needed to be told by the homeowner that they were not allowed on the property and then the police could be called. If, after that time, the trespassers would not leave it became a violation and they could be fined.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that there were Ordinances in Town that were being violated and not being enforced.

Mr. Johnson stated that he received complaints from his ward about the loud hospital generator that began running on Friday. Mr. Johnson stated that he learned a transformer blew on Friday and it was took some time to fix.

Mr. Johnson stated that there was a burn behind College Heights that caused a plume of smoke through College Heights. He said he called the Health Department and Mr. Birkmire had taken care of the problem.

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

Mr. Clark moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor