Public Hearing
Expansion of the Arts & Entertainment District
October 18, 2021
Mayor Foster called the public hearing to order at 6:15 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Sam Shoge, Tom Herz, Ellsworth Tolliver and Meghan Efland, W. S. Ingersoll (Town Manager), Jennifer Mulligan (Stenographer), and guests.
Ms. Mulligan read the public notice, which was published in the Kent County News on Thursday, October 7th and 14th into the record as follows:
“The Mayor and Council of Chestertown will hold a public meeting on Monday, October 18 at 6:15 p.m. at Town Hall, 118 N. Cross Street. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public comment regarding the proposed expansion of the Chestertown Arts & Entertainment district (AED).
The AED will provide the opportunity for property tax credits for improvements that create live-work space, income tax subtraction for income gained from artistic work sold by qualified resident artists, and exemptions from the admissions and amusement tax for certain arts related businesses and individuals. The public is invited to attend and/or send written comments to be received by October 18, 2021 to the Town of Chestertown, 118 N. Cross Street, Chestertown MD 21620. Special accommodations will be made for persons with disability upon request.
By Authority of David Foster, Mayor”
Mr. John Schratwieser, Director of Kent Cultural Alliance and interim Manager of the Arts and Entertainment District, was present and gave an overview of the existing Arts & Entertainment District boundaries and what the proposed expansion area would encompass area-wise, (the expansion stopped just short of the round-a-bout on High Street extended) and discussed the potential benefits of the expansion.
Mayor Foster asked if there was anyone that would like to speak for or against the expansion of the Arts and Entertainment District. There were no questions or comments from the public. No written comments were received by the Town prior to the public hearing.
There being no further business, Mayor Foster closed the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan David Foster