MAYOR AND COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 4, 2019
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers David Foster, Linda C. 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 October 21, 2019. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of October 21, 2019, was seconded by Mr. Foster and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that total operating funds on hand for unrestricted use was $1,299,681.85. Restricted funds for the Marina were set aside in the amount of $21,304.42.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to approve the payment of the bills. Mr. Stetson moved to approve payment of the bills as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Foster and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he received a very nice thank you letter from Bob Knapp, of the Chestertown Lion’s Club, regarding the 2019 Halloween Parade and read it into the record. It complemented the street crew and Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Police also did a great job this weekend, especially with all events going on in Town.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ms. MacIntosh had submitted the permit requests for the Dickens Weekend scheduled for December 6 – 8, 2019. Ms. MacIntosh stated that most of the action will take place at the Foot of High Street this year, but the full outline of the events was in the permits. Acting Chief Dolgos stated that Sgt. Lozar has been working with Ms. MacIntosh and was aware of the requests. Mr. Foster moved to approve the permits for the Dickens Festival from December 6th through the 8th as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there will be a budget workshop on Wednesday, November 13th at 5:00 p.m. in Town Hall. He said that the public was welcome to attend but would not be invited to participate.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to reappoint Barbara Creegan to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Stetson moved to reappoint Barbara Creegan to the Zoning Board of Appeals, was seconded by Mr. Foster and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to appoint Kurt Smith to the Historic District Commission. Mr. Foster moved to appoint Kurt Smith to the Historic District Commission, was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that there will be an Ethics Training on Friday, November 15th beginning at 10 a.m. in Town Hall and the public was invited to attend and participate.
Mayor Cerino stated that the Election for the 2nd and 4th Wards will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chestertown Fire Hall.
Mayor Cerino stated that the Town held the official opening and dedication of the Chestertown Marina on Friday, November 1st. He said that the entire Council was present along with many representatives from different State and Federal Agencies. He said that Jeannie Hadaway-Riccio (Secretary of Maryland DNR), Ken Holt (Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development), Tom Riford (Assistant Secretary of Commerce), Denise Lovelady (USDA Maryland Delaware), and Pete Landon (Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Hogan) all gave brief speeches.
Mayor Cerino stated that the Downrigging Weekend was “gangbusters” this year and included a blue grass festival in addition to all the tall ships. He said that the Town was full of people and he estimated that hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent in Chestertown over the weekend.
Mayor Cerino asked for Ward Reports.
Mr. Foster stated that things were running smoothly in the First Ward.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she enjoyed the cocktail boats docked in the Marina this weekend.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she was running for reelection tomorrow and hoped that residents of the 2nd and 4th Ward got out to vote.
Mr. Stetson stated that the Dog Park was limed and fertilized and said that the Friends of the Dog Park will pay for the bill.
Mr. Stetson stated that the ceremony on November 1st for the Marina was very nice and said that in the Cerino Center, Kyle Hackett gave a lecture on the African American Art display which he found to be informative.
Mr. Stetson stated that he judged the Halloween Parade on Saturday, November 2nd and said that the Halloween Parade is the parade he most enjoys each year.
Mr. Stetson stated that he watched the fireworks on Saturday evening and he now understood why the people from Kingstown complained when Chestertown canceled the 4th of July show. He said that he watched them from the other side of the Chester River, where the view was terrific.
Mr. Stetson urged residents in the 2nd and 4th ward to get out and vote on Tuesday.
Mayor Cerino stated that there were no requests from the audience to be on the agenda and asked if there were any questions or comments.
Mr. Erney Maher stated that he wanted to discuss the police department. He said that he has lived in many places and said that it is his impression that in Towns with a Mayor and Council and a Police Department there is a pride in working together. He said that the police department in a small town is your friend and protector and that is not something that you get in a big city. He said that it would be a tragic loss to not have our police department and he wanted to go on record saying so.
There being no further business and no other questions or comments from the audience, Mr. Stetson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor