Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. In attendance were Council members Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Whaland Clark, James R. Johnson and Mabel Mumford-Pautz, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager and Zoning Administrator, Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of December 6, 2004 or the executive session directly following. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on Monday, December 6, 2004 following the Mayor and Council meeting to discuss a personnel matter under section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland. The entire Mayor and Council was present and voted to go into executive session. One police matter was discussed. The meeting was closed at 8:00 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

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

Chief Coryell stated that for the month of November 2004 the Chestertown Police Department made twenty-nine (29) adult arrests with the placement of forty-four (44) separate charges. There were nine (9) juveniles arrested with the placement of twelve (12) charges. Four (4) civil citations, forty-five (45) traffic citations, and one hundred ninety-six (196) warnings were issued. A total of eight hundred thirty-two (832) calls for service were handled.

Chief Coryell received a report from the Maryland Chief’s of Police Associations regarding drug trends in the State of Maryland and read it into the record. Mayor Bailey asked Chief Coryell to look for a speaker to speak to parents regarding warning signs that their children may be using drugs.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $809,811.45.

Mr. Drew McMullen of the Schooner Sultana Project was present and stated that the Schooner Sultana was going to help mark the 400 th anniversary of Jamestown by building a replica of the 30’ boat John Smith used in his exploration of the Chesapeake in 1608. He said that the Friends of the National Chesapeake Water Trail were working in concert with the Sultana on this project and so was the National Geographic Society. The goal of the whole project is to create America’s First National Water Trail.

Mr. McMullen stated that in 2006 the finished boat was going to travel to museums up and down the east coast and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England, and in 2007 would set out on the original voyage that John Smith took in 1608.

Mr. McMullen stated that the Sultana’s main mission was education and they have built a curriculum into their project for 4 th and 5 th grade elementary schools, which would be used across the State beginning in the fall of 2005.

Mr. Ingersoll asked for a motion from the Council to adopt the FY2004 audit. Mr. Clark moved to adopt the FY2004 audit, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the January meeting dates fell on holidays this year and asked that the meetings be held Tuesday, January 4 th and Monday, January 24 th. The Council agreed.

Mr. Ingersoll asked for an executive session for legal and contractual matters. 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 to discuss legal and contractual matters. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the SHA would be going to design in 2005 a preemptory beacon system for the Rescue Squad to get out onto MD Rt. 291 and opticoms so they could negotiate intersections to the Hospital. The fire company will get similar opticoms to proceed north on Washington Avenue.

Mayor Bailey stated that there would be no pick-up for recycling on Friday, December 24 th, but there would be recycling pick-up on New Year’s Eve, January 31 st.

Mayor Bailey stated that there were two members of the Historic District Commission that she would like to reappoint at this meeting. Mr. Bristoll moved to reappoint Mr. Ron Kerns beginning December 1, 2004 and Mr. Robert Tyson beginning January 1, 2005 for three (3) year terms. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that Lucy, the Chestertown Goose, was found dead on Sunday at the foot of Cannon Street. She said Lucy was being cremated and there would be a memorial at the Cannon Street dock at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31 st.

Mayor Bailey announced the winners of the Christmas Decoration Contest.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that Ms. Shirley Susen passed away earlier in the week noting what an important person she was in the Town and thanking her for her volunteer work.

Mr. Clark moved to pay the bills, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor