Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a Bay Restoration Fund (Flush Tax) that would appear on the April 2005 utility bills. Mr. Ingersoll read the notice of Senate Bill 320 (Bay Restoration) into the record. He said that the fund would upgrade wastewater plants that flowed into the bay. He said that these State fees would be levied on all homes and business owners. A $2.50 monthly fee would be charged to each home served by wastewater treatment plants, which would be collected by the Town. However, commercial and industrial users would be charged at the rate of $2.50 per month per EDU (equivalent dwelling unit), which could be a very substantial added cost that they were not aware of at present.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he wanted to give advance warning to commercial, institutional, and industrial users that the fees had the potential to be fairly high. He said that the Flush Tax would be discussed further at the next utilities meeting.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ms. Diver was in the process of upgrading the Utilities software to provide for the State’s fee. He said that other than having a symposium to alter business owners, he did not know if the tax would be expected or budgeted for by those business owners and institutions.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there would be a small administrative fee given back to the Town for collecting the tax.

Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation in to the record declaring November 2004 Epilepsy Month in Chestertown.

Mayor Bailey stated that she attended the annual Fall Legislative Conference. She said that there were three issues addressed 1) Public Safety Communications Connectivity and Cooperability, 2) Restoring Municipal Fiscal Resources, and 3) Electrical Aggregation. Mayor Bailey explained the implementation of each of the three issues. She said that there would be upcoming summits on growth issues as well.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Galena Veteran’s Day Celebration would take place eon Thursday, November 11 th at 9:00 a.m. at the Galena Cemetery. The families of Jarred Thompson and Nick Spry would be recognized.

Mayor Bailey stated that Mt. Vernon Avenue residents were issued residential stickers and the Town had experienced many problems as a result. Letters were sent to 21 property owners on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Four (4) letters were returned to retain the resident parking stickers, but wanted visitor passes; five (5) were to repeal the Ordinance and return to open parking; three (3) were to repeal the Ordinance and designate one (1) space for resident only, and one (1) was to designate one space at each house, whether they have a driveway or not. Mayor Bailey stated that she thought at this time the parking on Mt. Vernon should be left as it was since there was not an overwhelming response to the letters. The Council agreed.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the College went great lengths to enlarge the parking lot at the new Science Center Building so that more contractors were on the Campus rather than the streets and mentioned that other pressures for parking on off streets were mounting as a result of the resident parking stickers on Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Historic District Expansion Public Hearing held on October 18 th was informative, but thought information should be sent to all people who owned property in the Proposed Historic District asking for their response to the proposed expansion. The three (3) remaining Council Members, who could vote on the expansion of the District, agreed that a poll should be sent out adding that a section for comments as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope for mailing should be included.

Mayor Bailey stated that she had a report of vehicles heading southbound on Cannon Street from the Chief of Police. In 5-days there were 3,100 vehicles that traveled south on Cannon. The average speed of 3,084 cars was 18.4 miles per hour. One (1) vehicle traveled over 36 mph, and 6.4% of the vehicles were at 25-34 mph.

Mayor Bailey encouraged all residents to vote on Tuesday, November 2 nd.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked Mr. Ingersoll to check on the Coventry Farms building site.

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 7:55 p.m., was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor