MAYOR AND COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers David Foster, Linda C. Kuiper, Ellsworth Tolliver 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 August 19, 2019. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of August 19, 2019 as submitted, was seconded by Rev. Tolliver and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that total operating funds on hand for unrestricted use was $139,596.57. Restricted funds for the Marina were set aside in the amount of $21,054.52.
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 Rev. Tolliver and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that Chief Baker handed in his resignation and he said he wanted to thank him for service to Chestertown. Chief Baker stated that he appreciated the opportunity to serve the Mayor and Council and the Town but received an offer that he could not refuse as Superintendent of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The Council wished him luck in his new position at Maryland DNR.
Chief Baker recommended that Lieutenant John Dolgos be interim Police Chief until the Council has a plan in place for a permanent Chief. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he already received two (2) applications for the position and he recommended that an advertisement be placed immediately, noting that he sent the advertisement used in 2011 to the Council for review. The Town should receive applications for the Chief of Police for 30 days.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the office has already received calls asking what to do in a hurricane and urged anyone with concerns or questions can call Town Hall.
Mayor Cerino read Resolution 5-2019 for 98 Cannon Street Properties, Inc. into the record which included the property in the Enterprise Zone and allowed them tax credits for a certain number of years on renovations made to the building. Mr. Foster moved to approve Resolution 05-2019 for 98 Cannon Street Properties, Inc., was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that the State Department of Transportation has come forward with recommendations for possible locations of a third Bay Bridge and Kent County is a possible site. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 24th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Kent County High School and the public was welcome to attend.
Mayor Cerino stated that the renovations at the Marina are just about finished and would not have happened without numerous State and Federal Agencies and donations from the community. To celebrate, a ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, November 1st at 1:00 p.m. and the event is open to the public. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he hoped the Governor and other State representatives, along with representatives from USDA who helped to make this project a reality are able to attend.
Mayor Cerino asked for ward reports.
Mr. Stetson stated that exercise ramps were built at the Dog Park by Dave Slama and Wayne Rickert of Rebuilding Together Kent County and he said that the dogs were enjoying them. The Friends of the Dog Park paid for materials and Rebuilding Together Kent County donated their time. Mr. Stetson stated that he would like to have the soil tested and then have the park fertilized and lime put down. The Friends of the Chestertown Dog Park will pay the bill if the Council agreed. The Council agreed.
Rev. Tolliver stated that he was proud to say that the renovation of Carpenter Park at Washington Park was underway.
Rev. Tolliver stated that the exterior landscaping and paver renovations at the Garnet Elementary School were almost finished just in time for the returning students and teachers on their first day back to school. He said that the work looked terrific.
Rev. Tolliver stated that a woman backed her car into the drainage ditch at the foot of High Street and asked if there was a way to put curbing or a barrier of some sort in place, so this does not happen again.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she saw the posters for fireworks donations in the lobby and around Town and said that she hoped the donations were coming in.
Ms. Kuiper stated that this Friday was First Friday in downtown Chestertown and that the Farmers Market was still in full swing on Saturdays.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the next Tea Party meeting would be held on Wednesday, September 4th at 6:00 p.m. at the Visitors Center.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she wanted to let Chief Baker know how much she appreciated his service to Chestertown and said that he was going to missed. The Council agreed and gave Chief Baker a round of applause.
Mr. Foster stated that he met with Don Mulrine, Town Manager of Denton, to discuss the issue of a tax differential and said Mr. Mulrive had told him that he felt the differential Denton receives from Caroline County is not as much as they deserve. He said that Mr. Mulrine is going to ask that the subject of tax differentials be an agenda item at the next ESAM meeting. Mr. Foster stated that he was meeting with Ms. Heller this Friday to discuss the tax differential.
Mr. Foster stated that he would like to have the Marina Manager attend a meeting after Downrigging Weekend to discuss the first season open after the renovations.
Mayor Cerino asked if there were any questions or comments from the audience. There were no questions or comments from the audience.
Mr. Stetson moved for an executive session under General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals, was seconded by Rev. Tolliver and carried unanimously.
The entire Mayor and Council, along with W. S. Ingersoll (Town Manager) and Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) went into executive session at 8:10 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter under General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(1). A motion was made by Mr. Foster to seek out and put in place a consultant while the search is underway for a permanent Chief of Police, and to immediately advertise for a new police chief with a 30-day deadline on accepting resumes, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried with three (3) in favor, Ms. Kuiper and Rev. Tolliver opposed. The executive session ended at 8:45 p.m.
Ms. McGee asked if any action was taken on appointing an interim Chief. Mr. Ingersoll explained that Chief Baker indicated that he would be placing Lieutenant John Dolgos in charge as interim (acting) Chief of Police and the Council did not undo his act.
There being no further business and no other questions or comments from the audience, Mr. Stetson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m., was seconded by Rev. Tolliver and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor