CHESTERTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:10 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 August 21, 2023. Councilman Efland moved to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of August 21, 2023, as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilman O’Brien and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster reported that the cash on hand was $1,553,483.35. Councilman Herz made a motion to pay the bills. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Brien asked to adopt a Consent Agenda to place non-controversial items that can be a quick vote as a group but also allow the flexibility to pull out items that need further discussion.
Councilman O’Brien made a motion to adopt a Consent Agenda platform based on Town Managers judgement. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Mr. Foster asked that presentations be no longer than 10 minutes and public comments be limited to 5 minutes. Ms. Efland suggested that a statement should be read at the beginning of the meeting noting the nature of the comments that should be made by the public.
Chestertown’s 250 Presentation
Nina Fleegle presented an update on Chestertown’s 250. In 2026, Maryland will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Ms. Fleegle reported that Michelle Johnson, with the state of Maryland, was appointed to plan for Maryland’s Celebration. She is looking for geographic hubs for these festivities and will be visiting many towns across Maryland and has visited Chestertown over the summer. Ms. Fleegle noted that Michelle is looking at Chestertown as one of those hubs for the Upper Shore.
Ms. Fleegle noted that various organizations around town will be putting together committees just for this event and Main Street will be considering funding and grants needed for the event.
Town Manager’s Report
Mr. DiRe reviewed the January 2023 Community Questionnaire Follow-up/Collaboration and Town Issues. He noted that while a variety of town functions and processes across all departments are cited in the sections provided, the ultimate responsibility for addressing and implementing operational and organizational changes and improvements rests with the town manager. His plan was to address two (2) sections at a time and recommended that the Mayor and Council review the comments and questions related to collaboration and a variety of town concerns and provide direction to staff.
Mayors Report
Councilman Herz made a motion to appoint Scott Foster to the Board of Supervisors of Elections. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Mr. Foster nominated Elizabeth Watson to complete Jeff Grotsky’s term on the Planning Commission.
Mr. Foster noted that John Carroll will be conducting a meeting to discuss what the Board of Directors of Maryland Municipal League (MML) is doing.
Mr. Foster noted that he sent a letter to the Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Couch asking to have a consultant meet with the Chestertown officials to find out how to keep the middle school in Chestertown.
Mr. Foster gave an update on the Tax Differential. Mr. Herz and he have worked to put together legislative action requests. MML will pick 2 to 3 items that they will submit for legislation.
Mr. Foster reported that he had a meeting with Dr. Coppersmith regarding a satellite campus for Chesapeake College in Chestertown. Dr. Coppersmith was receptive to the idea.
Old Business
Councilman O’Brien made a motion to formally approve and adopt the Comprehensive Stormwater Plan, as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
New Business
Councilman Herz made a motion to adopt Resolution 05-2023 for M&J Ventures, LLC., Enterprise Zone Tax Credits for 312 Park Row. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Mr. DiRe review of a draft MOU with Friends of the Chestertown Dog Park, Inc. He noted the change in the Board’s membership including new executive leadership. This new team would like to have a formal agreement to layout responsibility between the team and the town.
Mr. Foster read the Busload of Books Tour Proclamation. Robbi Behr, Matthew Swanson and their four (4) children have spent the last year on their Busload of Books Tour of the United States. They went to Title I schools in all 50 states and DC, driving over 34,000 miles and giving away 25,000 of their books.
Ward Reports
Mr. O’Brien reported:
That he is still speaking with hospital representatives about Bailey Park land.
Reminded parents to make their voices known regarding the location of the new middle school.
There was a misleading report in the Kent County News regarding the Gateway Park skatepark.
Gave an update on the town owned treatment area. He is looking at using 5 acres for a Solar field expansion and 35 acres for Restoration area. He asked Mr. DiRe to speak with the Town lawyer regarding the farm lease.
Tom Dietz is moving forward with the energy audit.
Mr. Herz reported:
There is a new COVID variant and COVID numbers are increasing. Citizens can request supplies at the health department.
A Ward 2 resident requested a handicap space in front of their house and asked how to go about getting this.
Mr. Medrano reported:
Attended Washington Park Day and had a chance to speak with Airlee Ringgold.
Ed Gallo has accepted a seat on the Parks & Recreation stakeholders work group.
September is Hispanic Heritage month. There will be a few events this month to celebrate Hispanic Heritage.
Ms. Efland reported:
Board of Education (BOE) has postponed their decision on the new middle school to discuss and review options.
Thanked Kent Forward for presenting support for Chestertown by introducing new arguments which included the identity of the school and its students.
Will be out of town and asked the Mayor to present the Proclamation at the Lessons Learned from the Busload of Books tour at Washington College.
Highlighted the Kent Cultural Alliance’s upcoming Fiesta Latina and Art Walk.
There being no further business, Councilman Herz moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 pm. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk David Foster, Mayor
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AGENDA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
The Mayor and Council meeting will resume in person meetings at Town Hall. A livestream feed is available at www.townofchestertown.com.
6:00 p.m.
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
- Call meeting to order
- Approval of August 7, 2023, Utilities Commission Minutes
- Operating funds on hand
- Payment of bills
- Mr. Sipes report
- Questions or comments
- Adjourn
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
- Call meeting to order
- Approval of August 21, 2023, Mayor and Council Minutes
- Operating funds on hand
- Payment of bills
- Nina Fleegle, Chestertown’s 250 Presentation
- Town Manager’s report
- January 2023 Community Questionnaire Follow-up/Collaboration and Town Issues – Staff Report
- Mayor’s Report
- Introduction of Scott Foster to the Board of Elections Supervisors
- Introduction and Appointment of Elizabeth Watson to the Planning Commission
- Old Business
- Vote to formally approve the Comprehensive Stormwater Plan – Staff Report
- New Business
- Resolution 05-2023 – M&J Ventures, LLC, Enterprise Zone Tax Credits, 312 Park Row
- MOU with Kent Attainable Housing regarding use of ARPA Funds
- Review of Draft MOU with Friends of Dog Park – Staff Report
- Discussion of adopting a Consent Agenda
- Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson Day and their Busload of Books Program Proclamation
- Ward Reports
- Requests from the public to be on the agenda:
- Questions or comments
- Adjourn