MAYOR AND COUNCIL
JUNE 1, 2015
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. In attendance were Council members Liz Gross, Linda Kuiper 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 May 18, 2015. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the Mayor and Council meetings as presented, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay bills. Mr. Stetson moved to pay the bills as presented, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that there was a special guest in the audience this evening who set out on a project for Garnett Elementary School and raised over $2,400.00 for an AED (automated external defibrillator) machine for Chestertown. Mayor Cerino called forward Mr. Dylan Conner and read a Proclamation declaring Wednesday, June 10, 2015 as “Start the Heart Day” in Chestertown. He thanked Dylan for the wonderful job he did in obtaining a grant and donations to afford the defibrillator for downtown Chestertown.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that this evening the Mayor and Council could adopt Ordinance 01-2015 Budget for Fiscal Year 2016, noting that the public hearing was held just before the beginning of this meeting. Ms. Gross moved to adopt Ordinance 01-2015 Budget for Fiscal Year 2016, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there would be a marina Maryland Department of the Environment permit meeting at the Kent County Public Library on Tuesday, June 2nd at 10:00 a.m. He said this was for the permit to allow dredging, bulk head repair, new docks, and other improvements to the marina. He said that marina neighbors had requested the public hearing on the permit.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would like to request an executive session following the Mayor and Council meeting to discuss an offer of property from a private individual. Ms. Gross moved for an executive session following the Mayor and Council meeting under Article 3.305(b) to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had a Memorandum of Understanding for the Town Council and the County Commissioners to formally agree on tapping fees for the construction of residences on vacant lots in the Quaker Neck Sanitary District. It would agree to abide by Chestertown’s Ordinance 04-2010 which required tapping fees to be paid to the Town of Chestertown for new construction. He read the entire memorandum into the record. Mr. Ingersoll stated that current fees (for sewer only) were two (2) times the in-town rate. Ms. Kuiper moved for the Mayor and Council to approve and sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding sewer allocation fees between the Town of Chestertown and the Commissioners of Kent County, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll read the MVA schedule as follows into the record: July 20 and 21; August 17 and 18; September 21 and 22; October 20; November 16 and 17, and; December 14 and 15.
Mayor Cerino stated that the members of the marketing committee were to have been approved at the present meeting, but Mr. Shoge was held up coming home from the airport and said that the matter would be moved to the meeting on June 15th.
Mayor Cerino read a Resolution into the record to approve and support the Chester River Health Foundation’s Community Investment Tax Credit Application and Project. Ms. Maryanne Ruehrmund was present and stated that these tax credits would go toward the purchase replacements for two (2) colonoscopes, two (2) endoscopes, and computer equipment that surgeons could use during procedures. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the Resolution in support of Chester River Health Foundation’s Community Investment Tax Credit Application and Project, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that the Town of Chestertown was officially named an Arts & Entertainment District through the State of Maryland and the designation becomes effective July 1, 2015. It would remain in effect for a period of ten (10) years. He said that this would provide tax incentives to artists for creating art and developers to make repairs and or improvements to their properties in the designated area if their properties are used by artists. He said this designation helps Chestertown to be viewed as an arts destination for tourists. There would be a manager for the Arts & Entertainment District who would oversee the district and become the economic development manager for Chestertown.
Mr. Stetson read a prepared statement into the record requesting that Ms. Mumford’s name be removed from the Gateway Park name as she had violated the trust of the public. Mr. Stetson stated that leaving her name on the park did not do justice to the former Mayors who have streets and parks named for them. Mr. Stetson moved to change the Mabel Mumford Gateway Park to the Chestertown Gateway Park, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried with three (3) in favor, Ms. Kuiper opposed.
Ms. Kuiper stated that First Friday was fast approaching and said that the Historical Society hosts “History Happy Hour” each month beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Ms. Kuiper thanked Mr. Ingersoll for the “No Parking” signs he had created for the Artisans Market.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Tea Party Festival was fabulous, noting that the she thought it was the best Tea Party Parade to date. The weather that day was perfect. She thanked the Tea Party Committee members in the audience and the police department for their help, noting the Officer Dolgos and Officer Lozar are both members of the Tea Party Committee.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the CBG meeting, which meets each Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, is having a meeting about wind turbines this week. She said that on Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m., there would be a meeting regarding the same issue at the Kennedyville Fire Department.
Ms. Kuiper stated that Africa by America Day was held on Saturday, May 30th and said that Ms. Carol Niemand did a wonderful job of organizing the well-attended event.
Ms. Gross stated that she represented the Council at a meeting of the Chestertown Environmental Committee and there was a presentation by Apex, as there were people who were in favor of wind energy. Ms. Gross stated that there was the suggestion of a public debate on the issue in an effort to consider both sides.
Ms. Gross stated that the Environmental Committee wanted to come to Council meetings and make extensive presentations so she encouraged them to think about requesting a special meeting instead.
Ms. Gross stated that she welcomed people to the solar power co-op forum on Saturday morning and the attendance was about 20 persons.
There being no further business, Ms. Gross moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor