Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes – June 5, 2023

CHESTERTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

JUNE 5, 2023

Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.  In attendance were Councilmembers Tim O’Brien, Tom Herz, Jose Medrano and Meghan Efland, W. S. Ingersoll (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 May 15, 2023.  Councilman O’Brien moved to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of May 15, 2023. The motion was seconded by Councilman Medrano and carried unanimously.

Mayor Foster asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Mayor and Council Special Budget minutes of May 2, 2023, and May 9, 2023.  Councilwoman Efland moved to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Council Special Budget meeting of May 2, 2023, and May 9, 2023. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Foster reported that the cash on hand was $2,308,799.16.

Councilman Herz made a motion to pay the bills. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.

 Recreation Commission 10-Year Master Plan Funding

Mr. Jim Bogden announced that he was putting off reviewing the Town’s Parks and Recreation 10-year Master Plan funding until after a meeting with Kent County officials.

Mr. Bogden asked about the ownership of the open property north of Bailey Park.  Mr. Ingersoll stated it that it still belonged to the Hospital and had hoped to use the Stateside Open Space project funding to buy the property, but the State was not in agreement (even though the original 18 acres of Bailey Park were purchased using Stateside Open Space funding.  The State directed the Town to use regular Open Space funding, which is controlled by Kent County and would need their consent. He asked Mr. Bogden to bring that issue up at the meeting with the County officials. He also stated that the Hospital property is owned by the State of Maryland who would have their own process as whether the Town could purchase it.

Town Manager’s Report

Mr. Ingersoll reviewed and read into record, Resolution 01-2023, a Resolution of the Town of Chestertown endorsing the application of Kent Attainable Housing for a Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Legacy project on Prospect Street in Chestertown, MD.

Councilwoman Efland made a motion to move forward with a letter of support for Kent Attainable Housing’s Community Legacy grant application. The motion was seconded by Councilman Medrano and passed unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll reviewed a permit request for Oak Hollow Block Party. Councilman Herz made a motion to approve the Oak Hollow Block Party for Saturday, June 10th. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Efland and passed unanimously.

 Mr. Ingersoll reviewed a permit request for Janes United Methodist Church to hold a church service and picnic in Carpenter Park.  Councilman O’Brien made a motion to approve to approve the permit for Carpenter Park. The motion was seconded by Councilman Medrano and passed unanimously.

 Mr. Ingersoll reviewed Ordinance 02-2023, Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24.  Councilman Herz made a motion to approve Ordinance 02-2023, Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The motion was seconded by Councilman O’Brien and passed unanimously.

Mayors Report

Mr. Foster announced that Lawrence ‘Larry’ DiRe was the top finalist for the next Town Manager. Ms. Efland and Mr. O’Brien lead the Council efforts in reviewing applicants for the Town Manager position.  He noted there were 50 applicants and the committee narrowed them down to five (5) applicants.  The Town Council then interviewed the final three. The top candidate had been a Town Manager in four (4) different towns, including two (2) on the Eastern Shore. He had a master’s degree in public administration.  Mr. DiRe had accepted the salary offer and had agreed to start at the end of this month if he is selected. Councilwoman Efland made a motion to offer the position of Town Manager to Mr. Lawrence DiRe. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and passed unanimously.

Mr. Foster gave an update on the Speed Camera Traffic Study. The Town can now purchase one (1) camera that will be placed around town on a rotating basis. The camera will record the speed so that drivers can be alerted to how fast they are going and to slow down.

Mr. Foster nominated Cinda Petcock, Ward 1, and Heidi Usilton, Ward 2, to the Planning Commission.  They could be appointed at the next meeting.

Old Business

Ms. Efland asked for an update on the curbside recycling program.  Ms. Ingersoll stated that it would be a $24 monthly fee.  He noted that it’s been several months but hopes that Republic, the service provider, will still honor the contract at the same price. He noted that they were hoping for more interest but only a little over 100 households had signed up.

Mr. O’Brien asked if Mr. Ingersoll could have the sidewalk in front of Washington Avenue completed or a formal agreement be made before he retires.

Mr. Ingersoll noted that the sidewalk on Park Row will also be starting soon.  It will be bricked all the way from Cross Street to the Kent Cultural Center.

Ward Reports

Mr. O’Brien reported that the serious accident over the weekend near the College campus was a medical emergency.  He noted that a tree was struck by the car and is leaning and may have been damaged. He asked to have someone look at the tree.

Mr. O’Brien noted his appreciation for the Bailey Park path that had been paved.

Mr. O’Brien requested a letter of support for the Environmental Committee for a solar project.

Mr. Herz reported that the Tea Party was amazing and thanked everyone that volunteered.

Mr. Herz reported that Governor Wes Moore and his entire cabinet had visited Chestertown in the preceding week.  They held a cabinet meeting at Dixon Value. He stated that he and Mr. Foster spoke with Rebecca Flora, MD Director of Planning, about the Chester River Walk/Heritage Trail project and she seemed very excited about the process.

Mr. Herz also noted Madison Bryce, from the Governor’s Office, is eager to come back and have another meeting with nonprofits and businesses.  He reported that she asked for a list of needs from Kent County, and he stated he would like to get a list of wants from the Governor’s office.

Mr. Herz stated that he has received a couple recommendation to serve on the IT Study Group. He asked that if anyone is interested in serving, to please contact him.

Mr. Medrano reported the swing set has been placed at Washington Park and looked great.

Ms. Efland reported that the Wi-Fi work well during the Tea Party and noted that she received comments from Farmer’s Market vendors that they wished it would work like that all the time. Ms. Nina Fleegle stated that the Wi-Fi cost $16,000 just for that weekend.

Ms. Efland reported that Washington College held their 240^th Commencement.

Ms. Efland reported that the consultant group that did the feasibility study for the Kent County Middle School project has finished the study which lists the different location and layouts options.

There were discussions with the public concerning the proliferation of short-term rentals the fact that many were not paying the room rental taxes being administered by the County and the large scale solar project planned for 300 acres on MD 291 just outside of Chestertown.

There being no further business, Councilwoman Efland moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 pm. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:                                                             Approved by:
Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk                                       David Foster, Mayor

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AGENDA

JUNE 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.

SPECIAL MEETING HELD – MAY 30, 2023

PUBLIC HEARING – CONSTANT YIELD AND BUDGET

1. Call Public Hearing to Order
2. Read Constant Yield Public Notice into Record
3. Read Proposed Budget Public Notice into Record
4. Outline FY2024 Constant Yield
5. Outline FY2024 Budget
6. Questions or Comments
7. Adjourn

UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING

1. Call meeting to order
2. Minutes of previous Utilities Commission meetings
3. Operating funds on hand
4. Payment of bills
5. Mr. Sipes report
6. Questions or comments
7. Adjourn

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

1. Call meeting to order
2. Minutes of previous Mayor and Council meetings
3. Operating funds on hand
4. Payment of bills
   1. Jim Bogden – Recreation Commission 10-year Master Plan funding
5. Town Manager’s report
   1. Adoption of the 2024 Budget – Ordinance 02-2023
   2. Resolution 01-2023
   3. Permit requests
      1. Oak Hollow Block Party
   4. Mayor’s Report
      1. Town Manager Selection
      2. Support Letter for Kent Attainable Community Legacy Grant application
      3. Speed Camera Traffic Study
   5. Old Business
   6. New Business
   7. Ward Reports
   8. Requests from the public to be on the agenda:
   9. Questions or comments
   10. Adjourn