CHESTERTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2023
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:19 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Tim O’Brien, Tom Herz, Jose Medrano and Meghan Efland, Larry DiRe (Town Manager), Lynda Thomas (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mayor Foster asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Mayor and Council minutes of July 17, 2023. Councilwoman Efland added comments made at the end of the SHA discussion. Councilwoman Efland moved to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of July 17, 2023, as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster reported that the cash on hand was $2,739,719.75. Councilman O’Brien made a motion to pay the bills. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Update on the Homelessness in Kent County
Carol Niemand presented an update on homelessness in Kent County for the January 2022 to January 2023 reporting year.
Ms. Niemand reported that it has been a struggle to find housing for the homeless. She noted that it took a year to find housing but were able to place five families (22 people) at the Driftwood Motel at a cost of $150,000 for a year.
Ms. Niemand reported that the Kent County Coalition under Chesapeake Charities received support from Martin’s House and Barn, the Kent County Commissioners, the Town of Chestertown, and a long list of “angels” with donations ranging from $500 to $10,000 each. She noted that these funds will run out by the end of August.
Ms. Niemand reported that everyone housed at Driftwood are employed but there is no affordable housing available. Section 8 has been closed since January 2023. Section 8 opened July 1st at Chesapeake Landing for Seniors 62+, only.
Ms. Niemand reported that although the population is employed with incomes of $2,000+, they cannot afford the escalating rent and associated costs of having their own dwelling. Driftwood charges $1680 a month per room, leaving little for anything else other than lodging.
Ms. Niemand reported that Rapid Rehousing Funds administered by Martin’s House and Barn has funds available but only IF a private rental can be found and IF the prospective renter qualifies. Many have one or more impediments to qualifying for subsidized housing, such as an eviction, past due electric bill or rent. Martin’s House and Barn only house families and are currently at capacity with 70 adults and 30 children.
Ms. Niemand noted that the winter shelter opens in five (5) months and reviewed the concept of a Pallet Village.
Energy Audit Presentation
Thomas Dietz presented the energy audit planned for the Town of Chestertown. He reviewed Opportunities for Energy Efficiency, and benefits of Renewable Energy in Chestertown. He noted that energy efficiency provides long-term savings and there is free assistance available from the Delmarva Energy Efficient Communities Program.
Mr. Dietz reported that the national goal is 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and the Maryland goal is 50% greenhouse gas reductions by 2030.
Mr. Dietz reported that solar electricity is now an economic solution. Solar Projects are eligible for 30% federal tax credits and potential sites on town owned land/roofs. He reviewed solar energy options such as rooftop solar array, 1.32 MW Solar array at Wastewater Plant, explore cooperation with Morgnec Solar, County collaboration at Worton Community Center and encourage or manage community solar projects for residents and businesses.
Mr. Dietz reviewed the energy efficiency options and noted there are Delmarva and Federal/State Incentives to help pay for systems upgrades with Federal payments available under the Inflation Reduction Act (Solar, High Efficiency HVAC, EVs) and Delmarva and State incentives for upgrades of lights, HVAC, and other systems. There is technical/planning assistance from Delmarva’s Communities Program or Maryland Energy Administration that offer Free building efficiency maintenance training and MEA Public Facility Solar Grant Program.
Solar Letter of Grant Funding Support
Mr. O’Brien reviewed the solar letter from Kevin Clark, Morgnec Solar Project Manager,
Community Development Project for Chestertown, of grant funding support, grant request.
Town Manager’s Report
Mr. DiRe reviewed the following events for approval:
- Legacy Day
- Fall Fun Fest
Councilman Herz made a motion to approve the Legacy Day permit for August. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed. Mayor Foster recused himself from the vote.
Councilman Herz made a motion to approve the Fall Fun Fest permit for September. The motion was seconded by Councilman O’Brien and passed. Mayor Foster recused himself from the vote.
Mr. DiRe gave an update on the Wilmer Park noise and misuse and reviewed several options, proposed by staff, to address and eventually remedy the noise and use\misuse issues. Several citizens gave public testimony.
Mayors Report
Mr. Foster read and presented the Airlee Ringgold Johnson Proclamation. Airlee Ringgold Johnson, founder of the Legacy Day event and was a community historian and scholar of African American Heritage and Culture.
Mr. Foster reported that there are vacancies on the Planning Commission and Board of Elections.
New Business
Mayor Foster read Chestertown Resolution 02-2023 entitled Delmarva Blockchain, Inc., Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 225 Dixon Drive into the record. The purpose of the Resolution was to certify the added capital investment and creation of new employment opportunities by qualified businesses located in the Enterprise Zone in order for those businesses to be eligible for certain Maryland income tax credits; all pursuant to Section 9-103 of the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Councilwoman Efland made a motion to adopt Resolution 02-2023 Delmarva Blockchain, Inc., Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 225 Dixon Drive. The motion was seconded by Councilman Medrano and passed unanimously.
Mayor Foster read Chestertown Resolution 03-2023 entitled Discovering Serenity Counseling Services, LLC, Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 115-E South Lynchburg Street (Parcel 0341, Map 44) into the record. The purpose of the Resolution was to certify the added capital investment and creation of new employment opportunities by qualified businesses located in the Enterprise Zone in order for those businesses to be eligible for certain Maryland income tax credits; all pursuant to Section 9-103 of the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland Councilman Medrano made a motion to adopt Resolution 03-2023, Discovering Serenity Counseling Services, LLC, Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 115-E South Lynchburg Street. The motion was seconded by Councilman O’Brien and passed unanimously.
Mayor Foster read Chestertown Resolution 04-2023 entitled Modern Stone Age Family, LLC, Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 236 Cannon Street (Parcel 1239, Map 203) into the record. The purpose of the Resolution was to certify the added capital investment and creation of new employment opportunities by qualified businesses located in the Enterprise Zone in order for those businesses to be eligible for certain Maryland income tax credits; all pursuant to Section 9-103 of the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland Councilman Herz made a motion to adopt Resolution 04- Modern Stone Age Family, LLC, Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 236 Cannon Street. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Councilwoman Efland made a motion to nominate Cori Lynn Arnold, Scott Gornall and Mary Alice Ball to the I.T. Study Group. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and passed unanimously. Mr. Herz noted this would be the last appointment for the I.T. Study Group and gave an overview of the next steps.
Ward Reports
Ms. Efland reported:
- At the July 7, County Commissioners meeting, the vacancies at Kent Plaza were brought up as a concern. The Commissioners want to work with the town and the landlords to fill these vacancies. Jamie Williams, Kent County Economic Development, is working with Mr. DiRe. He is on the August 9 agenda for the Economic and Tourism Development Commission.
- Dollar General is coming to the Washington Square shopping center in the old Sears store.
- The Town of Centreville just voted to ban plastic bags, starting January 1, 2024, and would like to reinstate Chestertown’s ban to also begin January 1.
Mr. Medrano reported:
- A Coventry Farms II resident reported that a notice was placed on his door for delinquency and repossession by the Maryland General Utilities. This is a charge that the developer arranged to recoup the cost for hooking up water and sewer to the houses. The resident was not aware of this when he bought the home and now is two years in arrears. The settlement office was supposed to disclose this information. Medrano suggested the resident contact Maryland General Utilities and ask for more time to pay the bill and asked that he and/or the town could also write a letter of support, asking for more time to pay the bill.
Mr. Herz reported:
- Michelle Johnson, Director for the Maryland 250 Celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence visited Chestertown. Plans for the 2026 celebration have begun.
- Met with residents about speeding traffic on the 300-400 block of High Street. He has met with CPD to see what could be done and asked them to hold a community meeting.
- A process has been established for the ARPA funds awarded. A letter will be mailed out to the awardees with details.
- Asked Mr. Foster to review some of the legislative items sent to the Maryland Municipal League; single use plastics, annexation, zero vision (traffic fatalities), tax differentials.
- Asked that the Mayor and Council to look into the management of the stage.
- Two (2) little girls found the two (2) Crazy Day ball drop for Mayor for the day.
Mr. O’Brien reported:
- He will begin sending a file of his ward report to the Town Manager.
- He will give Mr. DiRe his block-by-block priorities list for his ward.
- He asked for clarification whether Kent County is responsible for inspecting trailer and mobile home parks in town. He noted that the trailer park in ward 1 has many maintenance issues and some appear uninhabitable and is a safety issue.
- He saw that Greenscape was mowing and cleaning Gateway Park and was not aware that private companies have been hired to for maintenance town parks.
- A Kent County News article noted that the Kent Plaza sign was falling apart. He would like an ordinance drafted to enforce maintenance of business properties.
- The gentleman who weeded the dog park had passed away. He had alerted Mr. DiRe of this and noted the park is in need of maintenance.
- He is helping with the energy audit. He asked for permission to gather information on converting the current farmland at the wastewater treatment plant to public use, environmental stormwater run-off. He met with Andy Richards, Shore Rivers and Dan Small, Washington College Natural Land Project, to partner and find funding to pursue something to develop into a proposal.
- Bailey Park has an error in the plat. The plat shows a parcel that is owned by the hospital as being owned by the Town.
- There have been complaints of mosquitos this year. He asks that these complaints be forwarded to him and the Environmental Committee that have designated volunteers that will follow up with these complaints. He asked for clarification of the Town position for spraying at Wilmer and Fountain Park prior to events.
- Beverly’s, his favorite and only breakfast place in town, has closed.
There being no further business, Councilwoman Efland moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 pm. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk David Foster, Mayor
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
AUGUST 7, 2023
6:00 p.m.
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
- Call meeting to order
- Minutes of July 3, 2023, Utilities Commission meetings
- Operating funds on hand
- Payment of bills
- Mr. Sipes report
- Questions or comments
- Adjourn
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
- Call meeting to order
- Minutes of July 17, 2023, Mayor and Council meetings
- Operating funds on hand
- Payment of bills
- Carol Niemand, Update on the Homelessness in Kent County
- Thomas Dietz, Energy Audit Presentation
- Solar Letter of Grant Funding Support
- Town Manager’s report
- Permit requests
- Legacy Day
- Fall Fun Fest
- Wilmer Park Noise and Misuse Update
- Permit requests
- Mayor’s Report
- Airlee Ringgold Johnson Proclamation
- Old Business
- New Business
- Resolution 02-2023 Delmarva Blockchain, INC. Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 225 Dixon Drive
- Resolution 03-2023 Discovering Serenity Counseling Services LLC. Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 115-E S. Lynchburg Street
- Resolution 04-2023 Modern Stone Age Family, LLC (Modern Stone Age Kitchen) Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 236 Cannon Street
- I.T. Study Group Nomination – Cori Lynn Arnold, Scott Gornall and Mary Alice Ball
- Ward Reports
- Requests from the public to be on the agenda:
- Questions or comments
- Adjourn