Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:47 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Thomas A. Gross, Sr., Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of May 4, 1998 and executive session of May 8, 1998. Mr. Bristoll moved that those minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on Friday, May 8, 1998 at 5 p.m. pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The entire Mayor and Council was present and voted to go into executive session. The meeting was called to discuss disposal of properties and a personnel matter. The actions of the Mayor and Council on the property matters was unanimous and the vote on the personnel matter was 4 to 1 in favor. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks of $130,535.11 on May 18, 1998.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town has had a request from KRM for a correction in the LI-2 lot area zoning requirements. He stated that during the last comprehensive zoning ordinance change, the minimum lot size requirement for LI-2 zoning was changed from 0 acres to 2 acres. He said it appears that it was a typographical error after researching the history of the last comprehensive rezoning. The Board of Appeals members worked on the ordinance revision and recodification. Mr. Ingersoll said he interviewed the members and there was no recommendation from them that a change be made. He said this matter has been to the Planning Commission and they agree that the old standard of a zero lot requirement was what was meant and it should be corrected. Mr. Ingersoll said LI-1 has a one acre lot size requirement, but LI-2 was meant to be flexible to allow small industry. He said changes to requirements in the zoning may be based on change or mistake. He said since the typographical mistake was in changing the requirement from zero acres to two acres, it should be returned to zero. A change in the requirement to 1 acre would be an action changing the zoning. He asked Peter Bourne, representative from KRM, if he had anything further to say. Mr. Bourne said he had nothing further to add.

Mr. Bristoll asked how much LI-2 zoning there was in Town. Mr. Ingersoll said the Chestertown Business Park and there was a strip along Flatland Road. He said LI-2 zoning was meant to be flexible to allow lot sizes compatible to the business. Setbacks and parking would determine actual lot size requirements. He said the only change that would be made would be the lot size requirement to return it to a zero lot size requirement. He said the next step would be for the Mayor and Council to hold a public hearing on this correction to the ordinance. Mr. Kirby moved that the Mayor and Council hold a public hearing to return the lot size requirement in LI-2 from 2 acres to 0 acres to correct the mistake, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said that he had a Resolution Adopting a Flexible Benefits Plan to be read and signed. He said the Town has set up a Section 125 flexible benefits plan through one of the insurance companies that serves the employees. The Section 125 plan allows employees to pre-tax all medical insurance premiums that they must pay. He said there was no cost to the Town for this plan. The Resolution adopts the plan for the Town. Mr. Bristoll moved that Mayor Bailey be authorized to sign the Resolution, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said that the Satterfield Court roof was coming along well. He said that we are certain that ventilation was not the problem with the roof as there were fans and vents around the entire roof. He said the roof was only 12 years old and sections of the roof have just fried. He said we will attempt to get some money back from the company that sold the shingles.

Mr. Ingersoll said at the last meeting Assistant State's Attorney John Mark McDonald discussed the curfew ordinance. He said he has taken Mr. McDonald's recommended wording and put into the form of an ordinance. He asked if the Council wanted to introduce this as Ordinance No. 2-98 to be passed at a later meeting. Mr. Kirby moved that Ordinance No. 2-98 be introduced for the first reading, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll reported that Mr. Sparre has sent us a community service worker who was a licensed tree trimmer. He said the man has taken down one large tree on High Street, and he will be working for us for five Mondays. He said many other small tree projects are being planned for him.

Mr. Ingersoll said we are preparing for the Tea Party this weekend and have been in close contact with the Tea Party Committee.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions of Mr. Ingersoll. There being none, Mayor Bailey asked for approval of the minutes of the executive session of May 8, 1998. Mr. Kirby moved that the minutes be accepted, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read and signed a Proclamation declaring May as Older Americans Month in Chestertown.

Mayor Bailey said she wanted to commend Mrs. Dorothy Martin and the All Seasons Garden Club for their hard work in landscaping the front of the Police station. She asked that everyone look at their lovely work.

Mayor Bailey said the Tea Party Committee has asked the Mayor and Council to judge the Tea Party Parade on Saturday. Mr. Gross, Mr. Bristoll, Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and the Mayor will be judging.

Mayor Bailey reminded the Councilmembers and Mr. Ingersoll that they need to be at Town Hall at 9 a.m. on Saturday for filming. This section of film will be added to the 1940's film of Chestertown.

Mayor Bailey discussed the cable TV outage that the Town experienced all weekend. She said Falcon told her on Monday that a fuse blew on Friday and they did not have a spare and had to wait to get one on Monday. She said she asked about a credit to customers and they said each customer would have to call in after service was restored and advise how long it was off. Falcon would only give a credit to those who call. She said people should not have to get on the phone and try to get through to Falcon to receive a credit. She said she would like the Town to send a letter asking that all customers get a credit automatically for the four days that the service has been out. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the letter be sent to Falcon asking for a credit from Friday through Monday for all customers, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey said she wanted to apologize to the family of Oliver Briscoe who passed away last week. She said the notice in the newspaper listed the day for the funeral as Saturday evening and in fact the funeral was Friday evening. She said she and many others missed the service. She said the community has suffered a tremendous loss at the death of Mr. Briscoe who was very active in the community.

Mayor Bailey said another person active in the Town who passed away last week was Burton Vansant and she extended sympathy to the Vansant family.

Mayor Bailey said we have been approached by the Caravan Stage Barge, a Canadian traveling show that has wintered in St. Michaels, about having the show in Chestertown. She said the pier where they were to be in New York has been condemned. She said they will be able to do shows in Chestertown on Sunday, May 31, 1998 at Wilmer Park. She said the cost to do the show here would be $700 for a matinee and evening show on Sunday. She said it was too late for the Town to solicit donations or backers for the show and asked whether the Council wanted to sponsor it. She said they have agreed to do the publicity. Mr. Bristoll said the first thing to check was the draw to be sure that the barge can get close enough to the park to make the show feasible. He said he has seen the barge in St. Michaels. He said that seating will just be on the grass in the park. Mayor Bailey said she will check with John Wagner about this and have him talk to the barge group. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked if there were funds in the recreation budget to do this. Mayor Bailey said we have the funds. Mr. Bristoll said we could do it as a trial this year if John Wagner assures us it will be physically possible. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Town fund the $700 from recreation funds for the Caravan Stage Barge for May 31, 1998, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions or comments. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz reminded everyone of the neighborhood cleanup by Rev. Fisher's Church on Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. She said she would like to see an overall cleanup by each property owner and renters to clean up before the Tea Party weekend. She said behind Peter Allen's property, by the Calvert Homes, 101 College Avenue, another one on College Avenue with a refrigerator in the yard, and Barker's property.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills presented. Mr. Gross moved that the bills be paid, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:17 p.m, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Joan Merryman

Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey

Mayor

. RETURN to 1998 Minutes