Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Thomas A. Gross, Sr., Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, Police Chief Wayne Bradley, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Pat Diver, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of June 15 and Public Hearing of June 15, 1998. Mr. Gross moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey called on Chief Bradley for the police report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Chief Bradley announced that Chestertown had been awarded $22,000 in Hot Spot grant funds for coming year and $5000 for exterior lighting. Chief Bradley also reported that on Tuesday, July 14, 1998 the Gospel Church of God will do a community walk again in the Hot Spots neighborhood. Mr. Bob Perrot discussed the Drug Task Force activities and announced the Task Force phone number for the public which was 410-778-3744.

Mayor Bailey presented the request for funding of recreational programs from the Recreation Commission. The Recreation Commission recommended funding for three programs. The first was to fund $450 for an intern for the Chester Bridge Foundation. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that this be funded, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and the vote was three in favor, Mr. Kirby and Mr. Gross opposed.

The second recommendation was that the Town fund $4,000 for the Horizons program for this year. This request was $1,000 more than was budgeted but the program will serve a larger number of kids this years. Mr. Bristoll moved that this be funded and was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz. Mr. Kirby voted no and Mr. Gross abstained. The motion carried with a vote of 3 in favor. Mr. Kirby asked that a detailed list of the children who participate be supplied to the Town so we can be sure we are providing funding for children who actually live in Town.

The third recommendation was that the Town fund $1,000 for the Kent County Library's summer program. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Town contribute $1000 to the Library summer program. The motion was not seconded. Mr. Gross said he would like to see a breakdown of the expenses and revenues for the Library program. Mayor Bailey said we will get that information and bring it up at the next meeting. She was asked to have the Chairman of the Recreation Commission attend a Mayor and Council meeting to present the details of these requests for funds. It was also agreed that a deadline should be set for these requests for funding in advance of the Town's budget preparation. Mr. Ingersoll said we should also get a report after the programs conclude from each group funded.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll reported that the Cannon Street parking lot had been purposely installed with only the base coat of asphalt. Any remaining soft spots would develop, be located and patched prior to the overlay or final paving which will be done in the Fall. He asked David Sharretts from David A. Bramble to speak. Mr. Sharretts reiterated what Mr. Ingersoll had said about the Cannon Street lot. He said that if there is time to use this method, it is the best method. He said they would also be paving Lynchburg, Prospect and Poplar Streets and part of Philosopher's Terrace during the week. Mr. Ingersoll stated that paving was part of the 1998 fiscal year. He said in the 1999 fiscal year we would do Foxley Manor and Washington Park.

Mr. Ingersoll said that Ordinance #3-98 Zoning Text Amendment had been introduced at the previous meeting. Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to adopt. Mr. Kirby moved that Ordinance #3-98 be adopted, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Local Government Insurance Trust needs a Resolution from the Town to Adopt the Sixth Amended and Restated Local Government Insurance Trust Agreement. The amendment to this agreement covers the dissolution of the capital program and return of funds to the participants. Mr. Bristoll moved that the Town Adopt the Resolution, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said that after checking the requirements of Art. 66B, the Mayor and Council needs to officially approve the Sensitive Area Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Gross moved that the Town approve the Sensitive Area Amendment, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll reported that the fireworks show had been excellent. He said contrary to rumor, the 24" shell did go off at the close of the show. He thanked all of the donors and the Town crew for their hours of hard work in preparing the fireworks.

Mr. Ingersoll distributed a site drawing of the property proposed for a Town park. He said the Town could receive $300,000 from Program Open Space toward the purchase of the property. Kent County has also discussed funding of up to $100,000 towards the acquisition costs and the Town has budgeted $50,000. He explained the proposed location of the park and stated that there would be no vehicular access from Rolling Road. He said the it will several years to develop the park and the first steps to be taken would be to fence and landscape the property where it abuts the rear of the Rolling Road residential properties. The Council agreed to hold a public hearing on Monday, July 20, 1998 at 7 p.m. prior to the regular meeting. The residents on Rolling Road will be each get a notice of the hearing.

Mayor Bailey reported that Falcon Cable has sent a letter stating they will not have any rate increase until after March 1999.

Mayor Bailey said she wrote to the Public Service Commission regarding the power outages in Chestertown. The Public Service Commission has a response time of 8 weeks and we will be hearing from them. She said Delmarva Power has been in touch with her and has apologized for the confusion at the time of the outages. They have part time people answering the phones in Newark and Wilmington, Delaware who are not familiar with this area. She said we now have telephone numbers and contact people that we can call when there are emergencies.

Mayor Bailey said the summer program at Garnett School has had 50-60 kids each evening. The program operates three nights a week. They are in need of badminton rackets for use at this program and anyone who has them and would like to donate them, please bring them to the Town Hall.

Mayor Bailey said Chris Kennedy had asked to on the agenda to introduce the new editor of the Kent County News. The new editor is Jay Votel and he spoke to the Council.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Gross moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Joan Merryman
Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey
Mayor