MAYOR AND COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2017
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. In attendance were Council members Liz Gross, Linda C. Kuiper, Samuel T. Shoge and Mauritz Stetson, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk and guests.
Mayor Cerino asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of April 17, 2017. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the Mayor and Council minutes of April 17, 2017 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously. Minutes of the Budget Workshop will be approved at the May 15th meeting.
Mayor Cerino stated that total operating cash on hand for unrestricted use is $1,250,171.15. Mayor Cerino stated that there was a separate fund for the Broad Reach sculpture donations in the amount of $41,638.52.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay bills. Mr. Stetson moved to approve payment of the bills as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Dr. Carl Gallegos was present on behalf of the Chestertown Environmental Committee and gave a presentation on Urban Forest Management. The presentation went over the value of trees in Chestertown, the Urban Forest Management Plan for Chestertown which was developed in 2009, and results of a more recent partial inventory performed in 2014.
Dr. Gallegos stated that the Center for Environment & Society along with volunteers from the community performed the inventory of trees which included tree populations, possible benefits provided by street trees, recommendations for management of existing trees, recommendations for planting and management of additional trees, and the total forest cover in Chestertown.
Dr. Gallegos stated that slightly over 10% of trees in Chestertown were larger trees (more than 24” in diameter). Most trees were between 3” and 24” in diameter. Largest trees in quanity were Sugar Maple, London plane and Pin Oaks. Street trees provide significant benefits to Town residents such as economic value, energy avoidance, reduced energy costs, carbon sequestration, air quality improvement, stormwater management and aesthetic annual benefits which Dr. Gallegos said amounted to $223,750.00; $75.63 per tree and $44.10 per capita.
Dr. Gallegos stated that there was the potential for increasing street tree population to over 50% due to available sites and to do this would involve increasing the budget for management of the trees.
Dr. Gallegos presented the Council with a summary of the inventory in Chestertown and for Kent County.
Mr. Ingersoll asked if there was up-to-date satellite information on the actual canopy coverage. Dr. Gallegos stated that the College has those figures. Mr. Ingersoll stated that in the original study there were large tilled farms, institutions, public parks, schools and playing fields making it more difficult for Chestertown to get close to Dr. Gallegos’ recommended canopy figures. Mayor Cerino stated that it would be interesting to see the percentage of the tree canopy on Town owned streets rather than accounting for land that the Town did not have control or could never have tree coverage.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had a request for the Tea Party Festival Parade at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 27th which included a request for the Council to judge the parade. The Council agreed to the request.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had a request from the DCA for Porchfest to be held on Saturday, May 13th from 11:30 to 6:00 p.m. Included in the request was permission to waive the open container law downtown for the afternoon. Ms. Gross moved to approve the permit for Porchfest as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that he had a request from Michael Buckley at the C.V. Starr Center of the American Experience at Washington College for permission to have the Garfield Theater portion of the 200 block of High Street blocked off from automobile traffic for 90 minutes before the special multi-media Museum on Main Street event on Thursday, May 18th entitled “Choppin’ at the Shop” featuring Martin Saunders and Friends. This will conclude the Main Street exhibit and a red carpet will be rolled out to High Street for all those who volunteered for the multi-media portion of the exhibit. Mayor Cerino stated that he thought the street closure would be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ms. Kuiper moved to approve the closure of High Street in front of the Garfield Theater on Thursday, May 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. provisional upon Mr. Buckley appearing before the Mayor and Council at the May 15th meeting to review the details, was seconded by Ms. Gross and passed with 3 in favor, Mr. Stetson opposed and Mr. Shoge abstained.
Ms. Gross stated that she wanted to thank Mr. Sappington and the Street Crew for the ongoing painting through Town. She said that she wanted to remind the residents that if there was more than a modest amount of garden trimmings to be picked up to call Town Hall to make arrangements.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she wanted to thank Chief Baker for his 5 years of service to the Town of Chestertown noting that his anniversary was today.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Taste of the Town was this Sunday, May 7th from noon to 3 p.m.
Ms. Kuiper stated that volunteers were still needed for the Tea Party Festival. Anyone interested could call her personally or Town Hall.
Mr. Shoge stated that there was a dead tree on the 400 block of Calvert Street and asked who was responsible for removing it. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Bradford Pears on the 400 block belonged to the owners of the properties.
Mr. Shoge stated that he also wanted to thank Mr. Sappington for his help in removing a speed bump in Ward 3.
Mr. Stetson stated that on April 18th he attended the legislative breakfast of the League of Women Voters and that there was an overview of what was done this past legislative session. Mr. Stetson stated that he was glad to stand up and thank our representatives for the $500,000.00 for the revitalization of the Marina.
Mr. Stetson stated that a State bill was passed for each county in Maryland to prioritize what they want to have done on their roads. He said that Kent County’s top request was for a bypass to replace the Chester River Bridge.
Mr. Stetson stated that there was a Council of Governments meeting on April 19th and Dr. Bryan Matthews gave a presentation on the 80 acres that was annexed into Chestertown.
Mr. Stetson stated that he mailed out donation letters for the Dog Park and has already received some donations in return. He said that he hoped to be able to purchase the second pavilion this year.
Mr. Stetson stated that there were some parking problems in the Fourth Ward but after speaking with Chief Baker they were resolved.
There being no further business, Ms. Gross moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor