Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. In attendance were Council members Linda Kuiper, Samuel T. Shoge 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 June 1, 2015 or the executive session of the same date. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the Mayor and Council meetings as presented, was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino called the executive session to order at 8:10 p.m., June 1, 2015 in accordance with§3-305(b)(3) of the Open Meetings Act. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the acquisition of a 2½ parcel of land on Morgnec Road. In attendance at the meeting were Council members Liz Gross, Linda C. Kuiper, Samuel T. Shoge and Mauritz Stetson, W.S. Ingersoll, Town Manager and Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk. No motions were made or passed, and the Council did not wish to pursue the acquisition of the property offered. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.
Mayor Cerino stated that operating funds on hand was $1,427,441.70 and the assigned donation from Washington College of $192,740.00 for a total of $1,620,181.70.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay bills. Mr. Stetson moved to pay the bills as presented, was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Chief Baker was present and gave the police report for May 2015.
Chief Baker stated that contract for RedSpeed (speed camera enforcement) was due for renewal in October 2015. He said that there will be two (2) changes to the contract. The first change was an “erroneous citation” clause where a certain percentage of errors exceeded posed a financial penalty on the provider. The second changes were mandatory flagging procedures which would be handled by RedSpeed through a cost with each ticket given. Chief Baker stated that he attended a seminar regarding the speed camera programs and said that RedSpeed had an outstanding reputation and they were good to work with. He recommended extending the contract.
Mr. Shoge asked how the revenue was split. Chief Baker stated that a citation was $40.00 and the Town received $25.00 per citation, noting that there were typically three to four hundred tickets each month. Mr. Ingersoll stated that RedSpeed had installed permanent cameras on Morgnec Road, instead of placing a vehicle on the side of the road.
Mr. Stetson moved to continue with the RedSpeed contract, as recommended by Chief Baker, for an additional three (3) year period with possible extensions and authorized Mr. Ingersoll to sign the contract, was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Chief Baker stated that Officer Samuel Kinser was returning to the Chestertown Police Department. Chief Baker stated that he was glad he was returning to the force and said that he was ready to go as of his first day due to the fact that he kept up with all certifications.
Mr. Shoge asked if the department was going to train to administer medication for use in a heroin overdose as Kent County Sheriff’s Department had done. Chief Baker stated that the department will likely train for that but he wanted to learn a little more about it as he had some liability concerns that he would like to see addressed before training took place.
Chief Baker stated that there minor construction at 601 High Street was completed. He said that he will be installing cameras, locking systems, a generator, phones and cable using funds from the current budget after July 1st. He said that it was taking longer to get all the pieces in place to put out bids.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town had a proposed Resolution approving a Department of Housing and Community Development Community Legacy Application for the Sultana Education Center in the amount of $150,000.00. The purpose was to help with the costs of building their new facility. Mr. Drew McMullen was present on behalf of Sultana and read the Resolution into the record. Mayor Cerino recused himself from the discussion citing a conflict of interest. Mr. Shoge moved to approve the Resolution of the Town of Chestertown Approving a DHCD Community Legacy Application by the Sultana Education Foundation to aid in building their new facility, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried with three (3) in favor, Mayor Cerino abstaining.
Mr. McMullen stated that groundbreaking at the new Sultana location was scheduled for Saturday, July 18th at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town received a $25,000.00 grant from Community Legacy for the original Wi-Fi downtown and said that he received an estimate of $15,000.00 to enlarge the Wi-Fi area to include the Wilmer Park and the Marina. He said that he would like to submit a grant to Community Legacy if the Council agreed. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he would return at the next meeting with a Resolution.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the deadline for Maryland DNR Waterway Improvement Grants was mid-August. He said that he has filed two years for $200,000.00 matching grant funds. He said that he would discuss at a future meeting whether or not the Town wanted to commit to match an additional $200,000.00 and that he would try to find a match.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a request for outdoor dining at Chester River Wine & Cheese Co. He said their seating plan was almost identical to the former restaurant at that location. Mr. Ingersoll read their request which stated that there was new legislation allowing glasses of wine to be served outside which created an opportunity for this location to expand their product. Ms. Kuiper moved to grant permission for outdoor dining on two sides of the building as per their written request, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the outreach for the Arts & Entertainment Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator position has been drafted and he thought it was ready to advertise. He asked that the Council review the language and to let him know if there should be any further changes. Mayor Cerino stated that there would be fielding of resumes for about four (4) to six (6) weeks and interviews in August with the hopes of September 1st hire.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a Bloomsday Event planned for tomorrow, but he just received the permit for the event this past Thursday. He said that this was an event by Sandbox with a full day of activities, mostly at the Garfield Center for the Arts and the Imperial Hotel. He said there were a requests for help from the Town to waive the open container law, close streets, erect the stage, and provide chairs for the evening’s portion of the event. He read the application into the record. Mr. Ingersoll stated that Mr. Skip Bushby told him that all businesses on Lawyer’s Row and High Street had been informed of the event.
Ms. Kuiper moved to waive the open container law and the rest of the Bloomsday Event permit request as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Stetson stated that anyone planning for an event where they required help from the Town should have their permit requests in at least 15-days before the event. The Council agreed that this particular event was too short of notice.
Mr. Ingersoll announced that the Director of Finance had resigned.
Mayor Cerino stated that Mr. Shoge would like to appoint Ms. Barbara Jorgenson, Ms. Shannon Wyble, and Mr. Greg Waddell to the Marketing Committee. Mr. Shoge stated that Mr. Waddell owns a marketing studio in Kennedyville, Ms. Wyble runs the bookshop at Washington College, and Ms. Jorgenson serves on the Board for the Downtown Chestertown Association. Other members would includ Ms. Francoise Sullivan, Ms. Bernadette Bowman, Mr. Mike O’Conner and the person who ultimately took the new economic development position that was being offered by the Town.
Mr. Stetson moved to appoint Ms. Barbara Jorgenson, Ms. Shannon Wyble and Mr. Greg Waddell to the Marketing Committee, was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino asked for a complete list of committee members via email.
Mayor Cerino stated that the $230,000.00 Community Parks and Playground Grant submitted by the Town (in partnership with the Kent County Board of Education and County Commissioners) to comprehensively restore and revitalize the fields at the Kent County Middle School had been funded. Improvements would include paving the existing track and adding exercise stations, expanding and resurfacing the existing basketball court, adding a wall ball area, refinishing the tennis courts, landscaping, and building a recreation grade baseball diamond. Mayor Cerino stated that the official letter from Community Parks and Playgrounds granting the funds was received last week.
Mayor Cerino stated that he, Mr. Ingersoll and Mr. de Mooy met with Dr. Karen Couch and the principal and vice-principal at the Middle School to discuss some of the amenities that might be constructed during summer. He said that the school would like to see the track and basketball court finished first and then they could phase the other work in during school time.
Mayor Cerino stated that this would benefit every child in Kent County now that the Middle School is combined. After school hours, the recreation areas could be used by the local residents of any age.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that grant still had to go to the Board of Public Works before being obligated but plans could be developed. Mayor Cerino stated that it was likely the project would be broken into pieces and bid out.
Mayor Cerino stated that within the last six (6) weeks, two letters of resignation were received from the Historic District Commission. He thanked Mr. Michael Lane and Ms. Lucy Maddox for their service to Chestertown. Mayor Cerino stated that Mr. de Mooy was gathering resumes for replacement members.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she picked up a refrigerator magnet in town that had “Historic Chestertown” on it and asked if it was part of the marketing. Mr. Shoge stated that it was not part of the marketing. Ms. Kuiper stated that the person who made it must have sold ads to the businesses listed on it.
Ms. Kuiper stated that Music Life was hosting camps, classes and lessons for the summer.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Chestertown Elks were holding a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, June 20th at 6:00 p.m.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Cupcake Queen was selling cupcakes at the Farmers Market and they were beautifully decorated.
Ms. Kuiper stated that attended the second public meeting on the wind turbines and was happy to say that the Kent County Farm Bureau, Kent County Land Conservancy and Queen Anne’s Conservation Association were all against wind turbines. She said that the consensus of the Kent County Commissioners is that they are against the wind turbines as well. Anyone wanting to go online and read about it could go to www.keepkentscenic.org as the group was looking for volunteers and donations.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she had a 4H team called “When Pigs Fly” and that she was accepting donations.
Mr. Shoge asked if mulch was free for the Town residents. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the mulch was free and double-ground and available in vast quantities.
Mr. Shoge stated that West Campus Avenue had potholes that had to be filled. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he got a quote today for over $8,000.00 to fix the major potholes on that street. He said he thought the quote was a little high, but it was custom work.
Mr. Shoge asked what roads were priorities for paving in Chestertown. Mr. Ingersoll stated that most of Queen Street, one block of Water Street, Calvert Street, Dixon Drive and Lynchburg all needed paving.
Mr. Shoge asked when construction would begin on the Gateway Park. Mr. Ingersoll stated that contract was being signed on Tuesday, June 16th and work could begin soon after.
Mr. Stetson stated that he attended the AED dedication at the People’s Bank for Dylan Conner and said it was a nice event and that Dylan deserved the praise he was receiving.
Mr. Stetson stated that the wind turbines were discussed at the CBG breakfast and there seemed to be nothing but opposition to the project.
Mr. Stetson stated that he attended the Chamber Mixer at the Great Oak Manor and that the new owners were hoping to host small conferences. He pointed out that anyone visiting there for more than a day would likely visit Chestertown.
Mr. Shoge asked how the SHA Task Force ran. Mr. Stetson stated that it was a good meeting. Mayor Cerino stated that much of the meeting focused on Washington Avenue, Flatland Road and Rt. 289. SHA representatives asked for a priority list and would look to meet again in four (4) to six (6) weeks, noting that SHA would set the meeting date and agenda.
There being no further business, Mr. Stetson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor