MAYOR AND COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 16, 2015
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:52 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 November 2, 2015. Mr. Stetson moved to adopt the minutes as presented, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that total operating funds on hand for unrestricted use was $2,051,096.10 and there were assigned funds in the amount of $192,740.00 for total funds of $2,243,836.10.
Mayor Cerino stated that due to an ongoing situation at Washington College, Mr. Taylor Frey would not be at tonight’s meeting but would attend the December 7th meeting.
Mayor Cerino stated that there is a student at Washington College who left campus early Sunday morning and it was reported by his parents that he returned home, took a firearm from the house and had not been seen or heard from since. This student was having disciplinary issues at the College. As a precautionary measure, the College is on lockdown.
Chief Baker presented the police report for October 2015. Chief Baker stated that several arrests have been made regarding burglaries from homes and thefts from cars. He said that residents should stay vigilant about locking their doors and windows.
Chief Baker stated that there was an armed robbery at 1 a.m. this morning at the Pizza Hut just as the manager was leaving with the deposit from the evening.
Chief Baker stated that the incident at Washington College was ongoing and he would be returning to the scene after his report. He said that with regard to the young man that was missing may have taken a weapon from his parents’ home, but they were not totally certain. Chief Baker stated that although there were many man hours spent on this case and people were frightened, but the police are ahead of the curve. Many other law enforcement agencies have been in Chestertown offering assistance and he said that he appreciated their help.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Mayor and Council could now adopt Resolution 2015-06 to:
Authorize the Town of Chestertown in accordance with Section 12.101 to 12.118 inclusive of the Annotated Economic Development Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland as amended being the Maryland Economic Development Revenue Bond Act to issue revenue bonds in the approximate aggregate principle amount of but not to exceed $20,750,000.00 and the loan of proceeds from the sale of such bonds to Washington College, a non-profit Maryland corporation to be used for the purpose of financing and refinancing the cost of the acquisition and approving of certain facilities in the Town to be used by the borrower in the operations of a four (4) year liberal arts college and certain costs relating to the issuance of such bonds and other related eligible costs.
Mr. Stetson moved to approve Resolution 2015-06, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll read the results of the Election of November 3rd into the record. Results for the Second Ward were fourteen (14) for Linda C. Kuiper. The Fourth Ward final votes were Steven Atkinson at thirty three (33) votes to Marty Stetson with sixty one (61) votes.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Lions Club sent a thank-you letter to the Council for help with the Halloween Parade. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Lions Club does such a great job each year with the parade and said the Town should be thanking them instead.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that Gateway Park construction was well underway with the parking lot and basketball court base already down. The walking trail base was installed and a platform to overlook the stream would be built at its termination point. He said that Bramble should be finished in a few weeks and the Town would sod and install the park benches and trash cans. Baldwin Electric would install the street lights.
Mayor Cerino stated that he was part of a nice event yesterday with Washington College Students on a Rail-Trail cleanup. Mr. Taylor Frey, SGA President, was able to round up almost one hundred (100) students and community members and they collected twenty-five (25) industrial bags full of trash. He said that students who participated received credits towards their community service hours.
Mayor Cerino stated that all too often the residents only hear about are the party houses that the College kids are staying in, but the majority of the students are willing to help and work with the residents if they were asked.
Ms. Gross stated that she wanted to thank the Police Department and all other agencies involved with the issues at the College, noting that everyone was still able to go about business as usual due to the way that the situation was being handled. Ms. Kuiper agreed.
Ms. Gross stated that the Street Crew was doing a nice job keeping up with leaf collection and said that small potholes were opening up on Campus Avenue by Rolling Road.
Ms. Kuiper stated that Washington College held a wonderful Veteran’s Day Concert with free dinner for all veterans in attendance. Mr. Stetson stated that the concert featured county music played by the Navy band and it was excellent.
Ms. Kuiper stated that Downtown Chestertown was hosting “Ladies Night Out” on Thursday, November 19th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Champion Realty was also hosting a ribbon cutting in their new office space on South Cross Street.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Emmanuel Episcopal Church was holding a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 21st.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Farmers Market will be open on Wednesday, November 25th.
Ms. Kuiper stated that according to the Downtown Chestertown Association website, since 2010 “Spend Local Save Local” gift cards from Chesapeake Bank have totaled over $45,276.00 in redemptions from participating businesses.
Mr. Shoge stated that he walked Cannon Street with Mr. de Mooy to discuss ways to spruce it up via installation of sidewalk and lighting. He said that the Town applied for a Community Block Development Grant last year to make improvements to Cannon Street that was not funded, but Mr. de Mooy intended to reapply this year.
Mr. Shoge asked if a traffic sensor could be installed at the intersection of College Street and High Street. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would ask State Highway if that could be installed but stated that the State Highway repairs the lights, but that the lights are actually owned by Chestertown.
Mr. Shoge stated that the Arts & Entertainment District hosted a branding session on October 26th and said that it was well attended. A subsequent meeting was held on Monday, November 6th to discuss ideas for a specific brand, noting that Benchworks was heading up the effort. Mr. Shoge stated that it was nice to see Ms. McIntosh in her position as the marketing manager.
Mr. Stetson stated that he attended a meeting at Heron Point on November 10th that was given by Chesapeake College that gave an overview of business and trade in the five (5) county area. They also outlined all classes offered at their campus.
Mr. Stetson stated that he also attended the Chestertown Business Group breakfast and there was a good talk on electronics by Alex Smolens.
Mayor Cerino stated that he has been invited to two (2) meetings from a group of local doctors and staff members at the Hospital. He said that he was asked to attend the meetings and essentially what they were trying to do was to tell UMMS what the community needs rather than have UMMS tell the hospital their plans. Mayor Cerino stated that there would be a press release in the local paper outlining their vision for the Hospital. Senator Hershey and Delegate Jacobs are planning a public meeting in December where the community will be invited to express their concerns. Mayor Cerino stated that this was not just a Chestertown issue, it was a regional issue and the State Delegation had to take the lead.
Mayor Cerino stated that he cannot say enough about the wonderful things the Downtown Chestertown Association is doing to make the community look nice. He said that DCA was working with Nancy Butler (Curb Appeal) and they were beginning to decorate for the holiday season.
Ms. Kuiper stated that Santa will be arriving in Town on Friday, November 27th at 7:00 p.m. and the Christmas Parade is on Saturday, November 28th at 10:00 a.m. on High Street.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay the bills. Ms. Gross moved to pay the bills as presented, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Dan Menefee spoke to the Council on what he knew about Local Courtesy bills.
Mr. Steve Atkinson stated that in addition to the Rail-Trail cleanup, Washington College sent about twenty-five (25) people from the Lacrosse Team to participate in the Goose Bump Jump for the Kent Center. Mayor Cerino stated that it was good to see the students active in Town.
There being no further business, Mr. Stetson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor