CHESTERTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 3, 2022
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:29 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Tim O’Brien, Tom Herz, Jose Medrano and Meghan Efland, Town Manager W. S. Ingersoll, and guests.
Mayor David Foster reported that the cash on hand was $2,361,683.86.
Ms. Efland made a motion to pay the bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Herz and passed unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll reported on the Recycling RFP. The pre-bid meeting will be held January 10 and the opening of the bids will be January 19.
Mr. Ingersoll noted the death of former Mayor of Chestertown, Elmer E. Horsey, who served for 16 years from 1978 to1994.
Mayor Foster reported on the strategic plan, discussion and scheduled announcement that was reviewed at the strategic planning retreat. Mr. Ingersoll plans to retire at the end of fiscal year 2023 which allows for adequate time to recruit a successor. Mayor Foster thanked Mr. Ingersoll for his many years of service. He also noted that the International City Managers Association has been contacted to start the search for a new town manager.
Mayor Foster reviewed nominations for appointment and called for the following motions.
Ms. Efland made a motion to appoint Samantha Hall to the Historic District Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Brien made a motion to appoint Jim Gatto and Jay Silcox to the Chestertown Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Ms. Efland and passed unanimously.
Mr. Herz made a motion to appoint Ron Saunders, Ted Gallo, Katherine Bushby, and Christina Showalter to the Ethics Commission. The motion was seconded by Ms. Efland and passed unanimously.
Mr. Hertz made a motion to appoint Bob Ortiz to the Public Arts Committee. The motion was seconded by Ms. Efland and passed unanimously.
Mayor Foster reported that the Farmer’s Market manager has asked for increased stipend. She is currently being paid $1000 a year and has asked for $6000 a year. Mr. Ingersoll noted that there is a lot involved in running the market and she does a great job.
Councilman O’Brien read a resolution submitted by the environmental committee to recognize the official first recipient, Ford Schumann for his decades long environmental and recycling work. The resolution will be entered into the permanent plaque and held at town hall. Councilman O’Brien made a motion to create the Chestertown Environmental Award for Outstanding Service. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Councilman O’Brien made a motion to proceed with a proclamation incorporating the environmental committee’s recommendations to officially present an award to Ford Schumann as the first recipient. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.
Elizabeth Watson presented the Draft Strategic Plan and reviewed the timeline. Monday is the deadline for comments from the mayor and council, then she will come back at the next meeting to find out the details on how to handle public comments. Following the public comment period, the council can decide when to vote on the plan.
Councilman O’Brien reported the Board of Education voted to approve the transfer of the playground equipment to Chestertown and just received the MOU from the BOE lawyer. If there are no objections to the MOU, the next step is to coordinate with the town manager to look at the equipment and make plans for it.
Mayor Foster and Councilwoman Efland discussed sending a letter to the BOE to keep the new middle school in Chestertown.
Councilman Herz reported that the ARPA Taskforce will start meeting again after a break in the summer.
Councilman Herz noted that a study group may need to be formed to discuss the scope of work and the areas that need to be addressed for when people start bidding on the Talkie application for ARPA funds.
Councilwoman Efland reported that the Board of Education has started up a late bus services on January 9. This is a temporary trial service but if enough students use the service, it could become permanent. It is strictly for the Worton High School after school programs such as tutoring, after school clubs, sports and band.
Ms. Nina Fleegle reported that Mainstreet just received a large grant for landscaping, streetscape, and operations. She will be on a future agenda to solicit some thoughts from the council.
Mayor Foster asked Mr. Ingersoll about the speed camera on Washington Avenue. Originally, SHA did not consider the college as a school and would not allow a camera on Washington Avenue. Mr. Ingersoll stated that it would be a good idea to go back to the SHA and have them look at that area again.
There being no further business, Ms. Efland moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p. m. was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk David Foster, Mayor