MAYOR AND COUNCIL
DECEMBER 4, 2017
Mayor Chris Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:33 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 November 20, 2017. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the Mayor and Council minutes of November 20, 2017 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that total operating cash on hand for unrestricted use is $1,601,087.01. The donations for the Broadreach sculpture have a balance of
$-22,500.00 (pending receipt of pledged donations). The Town was waiting on grant reimbursements in the amount of $132,043.30 for marina work.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay bills. Ms. Gross moved to approve payment of the bills as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino called forward Ms. Rachel Perry and read a Proclamation commending her for creating and direction the Chestertown HP Festival over the last four years. Ms. Perry was stepping down as the head of the HP Festival Committee.
Mr. Jon Hanley was present on behalf of the Chestertown Environmental Committee to discuss the possibility of installing charging stations for electric vehicles in Chestertown. He said that electric vehicles will ultimately replace internal combustion vehicles. The Department of Energy forecasts that in 13 years there will be 15-million electric vehicles on the road and said the Town needs to start thinking about charging stations for those vehicles.
Mr. Hanley stated that Tesla sold 40,000 vehicles in 2017 and has orders for 400,000 on the books. GM sold 40,000 electric vehicles this year, followed by Nissan at 20,000. General Motors was leading the pack in forecasting the future of the electric automobile with 2 models (Volt and Bolt) and are coming out with 2 additional models in the next 18 months.
Mr. Hanley stated that there were currently 150,000 gasoline stations across the United States; a model which will not work for electric vehicles as charging the batteries takes time. He reviewed the 3 levels of charging available for electric cars and said most people charge their cars at their home. Public charging stations will allow for people to extend their trip by 80 miles with each 30-minute charge.
Mr. Hanley stated that home charging will continue to be the dominant way people charge their vehicles, but charging stations will often be necessary for people on trips to Chestertown. He said that the Town could and should develop a strategy for charging stations through third party providers, noting the importance that each charging station is capable of charging with different style outlets for each model of automobile.
Mr. Hanley stated that he was surprised that Royal Farms did not install charging stations as they are now part of their Delaware stores. He said that there were many charging stations in place on the Western Shore. Mr. Hanley stated that he sent an email to KRM asking that they consider charging stations as part of their new business campus. The Brampton Inn had 2 charging stations, both for use by Tesla vehicles only.
Mr. Hanley asked if the Council would like the Environmental Committee to research electric charging stations. He said that he would like to ask to work with Washington College’s Center for Environmental Studies, Maryland Department of Energy, and Charge Point Service Providers to figure out areas where charging stations would make sense and how they would look in Town. Mayor Cerino stated that it might be best to make another presentation after the new Council is in place.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there were currently subsidies available for charging station equipment and that the private section could access them. Mr. Hanley stated that he received a $700.00 rebate for installing the charger in his garage and commercial and retail installation is between $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 to offset costs. Mr. Hanley stated that he saves money with the electric car because he has solar power at his house. He said that today he charged 20 miles of range for $.75.
Ms. MacIntosh stated that she thought Volkswagen would be installing these charging stations as part of a settlement and said that she thought this would be good for economic development. She said she would like Main Street to partner with the Commission on the project.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the floating docks were delivered and were being installed at the Marina.
Mayor Cerino stated that Washington College expressed concerns over pedestrian safety at the corner of Campus Avenue and Rt. 213 at the last meeting, with a follow up letter on the subject received today. Mayor Cerino stated that the Town will craft a letter and forward the College letter to the State Highway Administration.
Mayor Cerino stated that a first and second place winner will be chosen for Chestertown’s Annual Christmas Decoration Contest. There will also be winners in the commercial districts. Mayor Cerino asked that the Council submit their ward’s winners to Ms. Mulligan before the ending of the calendar year. Winners will be announced at the first meeting in January.
Ms. Mulligan stated that the Mayor, First and Third Ward Councilmembers will be sworn in at the first meeting of the year, January 2, 2018 at 7:30.
Mayor Cerino asked for Ward reports.
Mr. Stetson stated that he was sorry to have missed the Christmas Parade this year but was out of Town for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Mr. Stetson stated that he attended a meeting of the Greater Chestertown Initiative where the Mayor and President of Washington College presented their thoughts on the waterfront area. He said that it appeared that Chestertown and the College seem to now be on the same page and said that Washington College has already taken some steps to cement the president’s.
Mr. Stetson stated that things were going well in the Fourth Ward.
Mr. Shoge stated that he attended the Dickens of a Christmas Festival this past weekend and commended Ms. MacIntosh on the planning and execution of the festival. He said that Chestertown was packed with people who were shopping locally. Mr. Stetson agreed, stating that he saw many people with shopping bags on the street.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she wanted to get to all the downtown businesses to see if they had sign-in books. She said that Cassinelli’s recorded approximately 2,000 people from February through October, which was similar to the Historical Society’s figures.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she wanted to thank All Seasons Garden Club for decorating around Town for Christmas.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the restaurants in Town were just as full on First Friday as the shops. She said that she enjoyed all that there was to offer, noting that the monkey was her favorite. Ms. Kuiper stated that the Chester River Chorale was spectacular.
Ms. Gross stated that she agreed with the Council’s sentiments about the Dickens of a Christmas Festival. She said that a volunteer at River Arts had 660 people come through on Friday night. Their largest First Friday before that was 400 people.
Ms. MacIntosh thanked the Council for their accolades stressing that there were so many people involved in the festival, all of whom made it a success. She said that she was proud of how everyone came together to make Dickens of a Christmas such a great event.
Mayor Cerino stated that Ms. Leslie Cardinell had requested to be on the agenda but she was not present.
Mayor Cerino asked if there were questions from the audience. There being none, Mr. Shoge moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor