Mayor and Council Minutes – October 2, 2023

CHESTERTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 5:00 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.

Executive Session

It was noted that Councilwoman Efland attended the meeting by phone and arrived before the third executive session began.

At 5:00 p.m., Pursuant to General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(1) to discuss a personnel matter; Pursuant to General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; and a second General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; Councilman Herz made a motion to go into an Executive session to discuss a personnel matter and to consult with counsel. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.

Mayor and Council adjourned from Closed Session at 6:00 pm.

Councilman Herz moved to approve the Town Managers contract.  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and carried unanimously.

Regular Session

Following the Utilities Commission meeting at 6:00 p.m., the Mayor and Council meeting resumed at 6:10 p.m.

Mayor Foster asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Mayor and Council minutes of September 18, 2023.  Councilwoman Efland moved to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of September 18, 2023. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Foster reported that the cash on hand was $2,730,966.47.

Councilman Herz made a motion to pay the bills. The motion was seconded by Councilman O’Brien and passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

1. Re-appoint Ben Tilghman, David Hegland and Carla Massoni to the Public Arts Committee

Councilman O’Brien moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and carried unanimously.

 Presentations

Mr. Ben Tilghman, Chair, presented the Public Arts Committee update.  He gave the Mayor and Council a handout that showed the latest proposed art sculptures and a pamphlet that described the art sculptures that would be installed around town.

Mr. Tilghman reviewed three new sculptures for the Mayor and Council to consider for placement around town. If the sculptures and placements were acceptable, there will be vote at the next scheduled meeting.

Mr. Tilghman reviewed a $30,000 grant from the Maryland State Arts Council for conservation and installation works for public artworks.  He noted they had already received one of those grants for the Maryland State Arts Council funded installations of the reading dog and the butterfly.

Town Manager’s Report

Mr. DiRe reviewed the Town boards, commissions, committees’ activity report, recent Town email delivery problems and on-going fiscal year 2023-2024 budget monitoring.

Mr. O’Brien asked to have someone look at the design of the Cerino Center’s second floor to consider adding public restrooms. 

Mayors Report

Mayor reviewed the status of the speed camera and asked for a vote to order another camera to be placed at a different location in Town.

Mr. Herz noted that the Chestertown Police Department speed camera cart is no longer working. There may be a need to purchase more than one extra camera.

Ms. Efland noted that she would like to order three (3) more to pair up the cameras to get a report on both sides of traffic.

Councilwoman Efland moved to purchase three (3) additional speed cameras units.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and carried unanimously.

Mr. O’Brien noted the Town has, on several occasions, requested the State Highway Administration (SHA) to add a streetlight at the intersection of Flatland Road. He reported a couple incidents where he and others motorist almost hit someone at that intersection. He also noted that the light at the crest of the hill is burned out and needs to be replaced.

Old Business

Mr. DiRe reviewed the issue of street parking around town. He proposed various resources to alleviate the issues and asked Mayor and Council to provide direction. The Mayor opened up the floor for public comment.

Street Parking Public Comment

Cynthia Saunders – thanked Mr. DiRe for addressing this issue, asked to have the one-way arrow repainted at the entrance of Queen Street, asked about putting a speed bump on Queen Street near Church Aly.

Ellen Hurst – purchase a home with five parking spots in front of property.  They now have one plus a handicap spot which they can use when it’s available, but it is not exclusively their spot. She noted the issue of Airbnb’s.

Nancy McGuire – asked for an Airbnb Ordinance.

Steve McWilliams – asked to address 20 ft setback at the crosswalks.

Pam Duke – asked to consider parking for commercial buildings in a residential area.

Mr. O’Brien noted that according to the Chestertown Zoning law, short-term rentals are non-compliant and are not allowed in R-1 and R-2 areas. 

New Business

Councilman Herz moved to appoint Cynthia McCann, Esquire, as the Zoning Board of Appeals Attorney.  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and carried unanimously.

 Ward Reports

Ms. Efland reported:

• Would be attending the Washington College community makerspace entrepreneurship center meeting.
• Would be filing to run as a Ward 4 candidate.
• Request from resident to add shade or trees to the Bailey Park playground.
• Request from tenants on Cedar Street to put in a speed bump. There have been 2 high speed vehicle accidents on the street in the past year. Asked if a speed sign could be posted. Asked to have more frequent patrols in the Cedar/Greenwood area. These roads are a cut through to bypass traffic lights in town.
• Reviewed complaints about inconsistent trash collection.
• The Environmental Committee will be reviewing plastic bag ordinance.
• The vote on the placement of the new Middle School is scheduled for the upcoming Board of Education meeting.
• Watch out for high pedestrian traffic during Washington College parents’ weekend.

Mr. Medrano reported:

• Other streetlights out on Flatland Road.
• Will be attending the Washington College community makerspace entrepreneurship center meeting.

Mr. Herz had nothing to report.

Mr. O’Brien reported:

• The hospital would like a formal letter of interest to purchase Bailey Park, from the Town.
• The Homeless Shelters will be opening soon. He would like to ask the County to support the Homeless Shelters. He noted there are mobile tiny trailer houses that can be placed on someone’s property.
• A proposal to tax vacant commercial space to incentivize filling spaces.

Mr. Tom Dietz reported on the energy study regarding replacing light bulbs. The cost would be about $500 upfront, but the savings would be $5000 a year.  He noted the need to access the program by the end of the year.  The program may be going away next year.

There being no further business, Councilwoman Efland moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 pm. The motion was seconded by Councilman Medrano and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:                                                             Approved by:

Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk                                       David Foster, Mayor

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AGENDA

OCTOBER 2, 2023

The Mayor and Council meeting will resume in person meetings at Town Hall.  A livestream feed is available at www.townofchestertown.com.

5:00 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

1. Executive Session – General Provisions Article, §3-305(b)(1) To discuss a personnel matter.
2. Executive Session – General Provisions Article, §3-305(b)(7) To consult with counsel.
3. Executive Session – General Provisions Article, §3-305(b)(7) To consult with counsel.

6:00 p.m.

UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING

1. Call meeting to order
2. Minutes of previous Utilities Commission meetings
3. Operating funds on hand
4. Payment of bills
5. Mr. Sipes report
6. Questions or comments
7. Adjourn

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

4. Call meeting to order
5. Minutes of September 18, 2023, Mayor and Council meetings
6. Operating funds on hand
7. Payment of bills
8. Consent Calendar
   1. Re-appoint Ben Tilghman, David Hegland and Carla Massoni to the Public Arts Committee
9. Ben Tilghman, Public Arts Committee Update
10. Town Manager’s report
11. Mayor’s Report
12. Old Business
    1. Street Parking
13. New Business
    1. Appointment of Cynthia McCann as Zoning Board of Appeals Attorney
14. Ward Reports
15. Requests from the public to be on the agenda:
16. Questions or comments
17. Adjourn