Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:45 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, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey as if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes of the meeting of February 15, 1999 be approved as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked that everyone observe a moment of silence in memory of J. Weldon Walbert, a former Second Ward Councilman, who died last week.

Mayor Bailey stated that Susanne Hudson and Susie Wright Taylor from the Kent County Red Cross had a presentation to do. Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation Declaring March Red Cross Month in Chestertown. She asked Susie Wright Taylor to speak. Ms. Taylor stated that the Red Cross offers classes in CPR and encouraged everyone to learn CPR so that in an emergency a person could sustain life until professional help could arrive. She showed the mannequins that are used for training. Jim Urda stated that the Red Cross had a program they present in the schools on family safety which they had done at Garnett School recently.

Mayor Bailey called on Chief Bradley for the police report, a copy of which was attached to the minutes. Chief Bradley gave the report for the month of February. Mayor Bailey asked if there were questions or comments. There being no questions, Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report.

Mr. Ingersoll stated the first item on his report was a decision by the Council on the architect's plans for the visitors center. He said he will meet with the County Commissioners on Tuesday, March 2, 1999 to show them the preliminary plans and to confirm their support of the project and their commitment to the room rental tax. He said the decision on the plans would therefore be held until the next meeting. He said the Commissioners meeting was at 9:30 a.m. and the Councilmembers were welcome to go with him.

Mr. Ingersoll said he was asked to get estimates on the cost of a pier as discussed in the public hearing. He said Dissan & Juhn, who did the boardwalk, of $70,000 using 60' pilings.

Mr. Ingersoll said he had a request from the County Commissioners for the names of two volunteers to work on the Complete Count Committee for the 2000 Census. They have asked for two names for consideration by March 1. Anyone who was interested in volunteering please contact Mr. Ingersoll. Mr. Ingersoll said he and Joan Merryman have done a lot of work on compiling the complete list of street addresses. Mayor Bailey said a problem with the census is that they are to send forms to street addresses not post office box numbers. She said the Post Office will not deliver anything with a box number to a street address and we need to get everyone counted and not lose those people who do not use their street address.

Mr. Ingersoll read a notice that the Kent County Planning Commission will review the application of Bell Atlantic Mobile to construct a 175' cellular tower and a 12 x 30 modular building at the base on the water tower property on Scheeler Road. He said this has been discussed at Council meetings and Bell Atlantic will pay the Town for allowing the tower on Utilities Commission land. The plans will be reviewed at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, 1999.

Mr. Ingersoll said that on March 16, 1999, the Mayors and Councilmembers of the five incorporated towns are invited to meet with the Kent County Commissioners to discuss the FY2000 grant-in-aid. He said that was the amount Chestertown gets to offset part of the trash costs and was not really a tax differential but serves that function.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that DHCD has reported that to date $444,700 has been spent of the $1,000,000 4% mortgage funds. He said funding for the 4% loans must be reserved by June 30, 1999 or they will go to another community.

Mr. Ingersoll said he needs an executive session following the meeting to discuss a personnel matter. Mr. Bristoll moved that an executive session be held pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland to discuss a personnel matter, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated she has been meeting with Community Council members from the upper High Street area to work out neighborhood problems and get members of the community involved. She said that one of the things the residents feel a need for was an information kiosk to provide information on services, USTAR transportation and recreation facilities. She said that the OCNA officers have agreed to change the kiosk information and keep it current. She said it would have to be secure and waterproof and the location discussed was upper High Street. Mayor Bailey said Mr. Ingersoll said he thought one could be built with wood, plexiglass and a locking door. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Town proceed to get costs and suggested location for the kiosk and was seconded by Mr. Bristoll. Mr. Ingersoll said he thought it could be constructed for under $400. He suggested discussing locating it at PJ's Market with the owners since that was a central location. He said it would be good for community relations even though it will have to be relocated when the Family Support Center project is built. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she felt that the location should be near Bethel Church and suggested the Town owned lot across from Bethel Church. Mr. Ingersoll said the Town sold that lot to Bethel several years ago but they still may consider allowing the kiosk. Mayor Bailey asked for a vote on the motion to get costs and investigate locations. The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Mayor Bailey said with the increase of after school programs at the Middle School, and the future development of the recreation park, a question has arisen regarding parents allowing children to stay for late after school programs who then have to cross Washington Avenue to go home to the other side of the Town. The parents feel that crossing Washington Avenue traffic is too dangerous and crossing guards are not there later in the day. She said the Town may have to discuss a light at Washington Avenue and Campus Avenue with the State Highway Commission.

Mayor Bailey said the Sultana group has asked the Town for a letter of support for their bond bill request to the State. Mr. Gross moved that the Town send a letter of support for the Sultana group, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey said that the Family Support Center has also asked for a letter of support for their half million dollar bond bill to construct the facility. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Town write a letter of support for the Family Support Center, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to appoint George Johnson to the Board of Supervisors of Elections. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that Mr. Johnson be appointed, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to appoint Susanne Hayman to a five year term on the Planning Commission. Mr. Gross moved that Ms. Hayman be appointed, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey said the Y2K problems are being addressed. She said Mr. Ingersoll had gotten some information on the Internet that indicated that the power industry expects to meet their goal of year 2000 readiness by June 30, 1999. She said the essential issue for us will be to have power. She said we are writing to vendors of equipment to assure us that everything is Y2K compliant. Mr. Ingersoll said the Town and Utilities Commission are ready, so people should have water and sewer. Sally Bruel thanked Mr. Ingersoll for attending the meeting at Heron Point last week about Y2K compliance.

Mayor Bailey read a hearing notice for a change of the names on the liquor license for Super Soda II on Flatland Road. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. on March 23, 1999 at the Board of License Commissioners for Kent County.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions or comments. Mr. Ramsey said that the entrance to Kent Plaza Shopping center on Rt. 213 was very dark and it was hard to see where to turn. Mr. Ingersoll said he will check on the lighting up there and make sure the shopping center is leaving their lights on. Mr. Gross said the lights from Roy Rogers used to light that area. Michelle Houstin said she lives across will Wilmer Park and asked about lighting in Wilmer Park at night. Mr. Ingersoll said that lights were put on the cul-de-sac and there are no lights in the park because it closes at dusk. He said with more work being done on the waterfront the Town will probably be addressing lighting along with uses.

There being no further questions, Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 on a motion by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz, seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman (Stenographer)

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey (Mayor)