While visioning exercises can be challenging work, so are the hard realities that come with managing and administrating change. For almost thirty-five years, Town Manager Bill Ingersoll has been doing just that as the local government’s CEO as well as the zoning administrator and housing authority. With family roots going back hundreds of years in the community of his birth, Ingersoll remembers simpler times with pleasure, but is also proud of where Chestertown stands now.
As a direct participant of some of the Town’s more challenging decisions over the years, this three-decade veteran of community disputes argues unapologetically for caution and taking the long view, however painful that can be. With his dry humor and long institutional memory, Ingersoll sees Chestertown’s Futures from his own unique point of view.
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Chestertown Futures is a two-year project of the Chestertown Spy to provide a sustained community conversation on Chestertown’s future and aspirations through the unique voices of twenty-four members of the community representing all aspects of greater Chestertown. By design, these interviews are longer than most broadcast interviews to allow each participant ample time to express their views. It is therefore advisable to allow time for the YouTube video to load the interview fully before viewing, which may take up to three to five minutes.
realist says
Bills one of the good guys. You could not pay me enough to take his job.
Next time my weeds get too high I know who to call!
Jay Yerkes says
Bill is the most fair and level headed government official you could ever find. Chestertown is a better place thanks to his oleadership.
Retha Arrabal says
I think Bill does an amazing job! We are very lucky to live in Chestertown!
Holly Geddes says
Bill Ingersoll is very effective as a manager. He has an overarching view of the town and county and he values the good that we have here. He talks in this video about the idea that town planning needs to take the long haul view and question changes that would mess up what we have. He is correct that we do not need to undo the building that was done 100 years ago just to fit some fad. The transitional (historically mixed) zones at the upper end of High Street, on Cannon & Spring Streets and Park Row are already designed and built to meet the needs of a town. Those looking for inclusionary housing, would do well to look in those locations providing that the new zoning ordinances allow the owners to rehabilitate and restore these spaces so that the town looks better and functions better. With more people living in town, there will be more customers for our stores. As an inveterate “townie”, the idea of living next door or at least within walking distance to where I work is very attractive to me. I suspect it is to others as well.