MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7, 1999

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:28 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, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting and executive session of August 16, 1999. Mr. Gross 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 at 8:15 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 1999 pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Mayor and three Councilmembers were present and voted unanimously to go into executive session. The meeting was to discuss two matters, one contractual and the other disposal of property. The action taken on both issues was unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. and minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey called on the Police Chief for his report. Chief Bradley gave the report for the month of August 1999. He elaborated on the kidnapping incident by stating that arrests have been made and at this time there is no indication that any further arrests will be made. He said the persons arrested are in jail not having posted bail. Chief Bradley stated that foot patrol has been increase by 40%. He said crime was down 35.6% (73 cases less than last year) and that 77% of all cases have been cleared.

Chief Bradley stated that the report showed training time for the K-9 separately. He said that training shown was for Officer Strong's dog only. Officer Alexander's dog, Buck, was retired from service on July 18, 1999 as he is 9 years old and having hip problems. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked if there were plans to replace the dog. Chief Bradley said that would be determined by the Mayor and Council and also whether there was an officer who was willing to have a K-9 dog and have the K-9 training.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any further questions of the Chief of Police. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she was still disappointed with the amount of foot patrol and said she did not see an officer patrolling on Labor Day until very late in the day. She asked if there was a breakdown on the property taken stated in the report. Chief Bradley said the total $961 in cash and merchandise was not broken down on the report but it did involve more than one theft.

Mr. Kirby asked why, on the lists of checks written between meetings, the new officer was not paid a uniform allowance. Chief Bradley said that the new officer will not have uniforms until he finishes the academy.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked that a reminder be given of the Old Chestertown Association Meeting on Saturday, September 11, 1999 at 10 a.m. at the Library.

Mayor Bailey stated Mr. Ingersoll was on vacation so he would have no report.

Mayor Bailey said we had a permit request from the Lions Club do hold the Halloween parade on Saturday, October 30, 1999 at 7 p.m. The route will be the same as they have had in the past. There were no objections from the Council so the permit will be signed.

Mayor Bailey stated that on Wednesday, September 15, 1999 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chestertown Fire Station there will be a Kent County Community Forum. This meeting is being sponsored by the ACLU of Maryland and the Kent County NAACP Chapter. The subject will be police/resident relations in the community. She said that Chief Bradley will be there as will herself. Mr. Kirby said that Sheriff Price would be there also.

Mayor Bailey said the next Eastern Shore Association dinner will be on Tuesday, September 28, 1999 at the Avalon Theatre in Easton at 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to attend please let Joan know so reservations may be made.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked for information on the community meeting that was held at Bethel Church last week. Mayor Bailey said it was a meeting held by the Local Management Board to gather information from the community on the various services existing or needed. She said that the Council had discussed expansion of the Hot Spot area at the previous meeting. She said in order to apply for expansion, a community meeting must be held to gather input from the community. It was a successful meeting with a turnout of about 22 citizens from the community. She said in the next couple of months, Arlene Lee of the Local Management Board will take over as lead coordinator for the Hot Spot program because she works with various agencies involved. Mayor Bailey said two of the things she would like to see done are a seminar for tenants to learn their rights and responsibilities, and a seminar for landlords to learn their obligations for safer, cleaner rental properties. She said she would like to work through the Town under the ordinances and let the agencies work themselves.

Mayor Bailey said the Council had discussed whether the Town wanted to pay the cost of doing an application to expand the Hot Spot area. That cost would be $500 to $1000. She said she polled the Council by telephone to approve the expenditure, which they did. She said the grant would be for an additional $30,000 and the filing deadline is September 29 and she needed to start to work. Mayor Bailey said that the expansion area can be scattered and the area does not have to be involved in part I crimes. She said that allows the inclusion of the shopping centers and Brookmeadow and those are areas that the community feels a need for more attention. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked if this money would pay for another police officer or part of an officer's salary. Mr. Kirby said he did not think that $30,000 would pay for another officer since the current funding of $80,000 and out of that a little over $20,000 goes to providing the extra police patrolling in the Hot Spot area. Mayor Bailey said that Arlene Lee was gathering information now for the grant.

Mayor Bailey said the Chamber of Commerce would be printing a special millennium directory for 2000. She said as a member the Town has a standard listing in their annual directory. She asked if the Council wanted to pay for a special advertisement. Mr. Bristoll said he thought our usual notation was sufficient. The Councilmembers agreed with Mr. Bristoll.

Mayor Bailey distributed the Town's Y2K Compliance Plan which has been drafted by Mr. Ingersoll based on one by the town of Bel Air. She asked that the Councilmembers review it for discussion at the next meeting. Mr. Kirby asked if the Police Department had a Y2K Plan. Mayor Bailey said all departments were included in the Town Plan.

Mayor Bailey reminded the Council that there will be an executive session on Monday, September 27, 1999 at 6 p.m. to discuss a legal matter.

Mayor Bailey read a proclamation declaring September 17-23, 1999 as Constitution Week. She stated that she had received a citation from the Kent County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She said copies of the Constitution are available at Town Office courtesy of the DAR.

Mayor Bailey reminded the Council of the COG luncheon on September 15, 1999 at the Black Eyed Susan at noon. She asked any Councilmembers who will attend to let Joan know so that reservations may be made.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any comments or questions. There being none, Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Bristoll, seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor