Chestertown Mayor Margo Bailey gave her annual State of the Town Address at Monday’s council meeting. Below is the full transcript.
The Charter of the Town of Chestertown states “the Mayor, during the first quarter of each calendar year, shall report to the Council the condition of municipal affairs and make such recommendations as he (she) deems proper for the public good and welfare of the town.” Herein is said report.
Chestertown Mayor Margo Bailey Reads State of the Town Address, Jan. 7
FINANCIAL. The audit for the Town of Chestertown for FY 2012 was presented and accepted in December 2012. For the 18th year in a row, the Town received an unqualified audit indicating financial excellence. This year’s audit was completed by Mayer Hoffman McCann, P.C. of Easton, Maryland.
The audit showed the Town to be in excellent financial condition with total net assets in all departments of $16,452,141. This represents a increase of $935,063 over last year’s net assets (this was due in a large part to a $499,000 MTBE litigation settlement to the Town received through a class action suit). The Town maintains a general fund surplus of over $853,00 to provide a safety net in an era when funds historically provided by State and County governments have been reduced or have disappeared. In short, we have to protect and maintain the fiscal strength of the Town on our own at present.
During this year the Town held the tax rate to $.37 for yet another year.. The Town retained the reduction in the Homestead Property Tax Credit percentage of 5%. This credit actually limits the increase in a homeowner’s property tax bill to 5% in any given year, no matter how much their assessment has increased.
STAFFING. The Town has 38 permanent positions for full-time employees in four different departments. These are Office (06), Street (9), Utilities (8) and Police (15). There are also 4 part-time employees, with one in the Police Department, and 3 staffers at the Visitor’s Center. All departments are staffed and operating well.
NEW HIRES. In May the Town hired a new police chief. George Adrian Baker was awarded the position after the Council completed a comprehensive search process. Chief Baker had 27 years of experience with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He and his family reside in the Chestertown area and Chief Baker has already shown us that he was an excellent choice for the job. Some of his first official acts were to solidify Chestertown’s position with all other law enforcement agencies, for the mutual benefit of all.
PERSONNEL AND HUMAN RESOURCES. A Classification and Compensation Study was awarded to Hendricks & Associates after several bids from consultants were considered for this work. Mr. Hendricks was chosen for his vast experience in the Maryland area. He worked with the department heads, employees and compared his observations to similar Town, completing the Study in June. For the first time, the Town has an overall framework that can be used for personnel compensation decisions. The Study can be updated from time to time by Hendricks & Associates as time may dictate.
At the recommendation of Mr. Ingersoll, the Council has decided to advance Mr. Kees deMooy from assistant zoning administrator to zoning administrator, effective January 1, 2013. Mr. deMooy has spent nearly five years learning zoning during the process of rezoning and has been invaluable in the graphics and mapping requirements of that process. Kees will continue to work with housing enforcement and grants, where he has also done a superlative job.
ACTIVITIES AND ACHEIVEMENTS IN 2012:
• The recession of the past few years seemed to moderate considerably in 2012. Some of the State funds that reached record lows in the recent past made comebacks this year. Highway User funds were partially restored and local income taxes increased. The plunge in real estate assessments stopped and the estimates of tax incomes predicted by the State were exceeded, as in many of the years before the recession. Through all of this, the Town has kept all services intact and has added recycling, a marina and new parks to the workload. This is done while maintaining an excellent and stable financial position. Part of the secret for this success is the pursuit of capital grants in place of Town taxpayers’ dollars for park and infrastructure improvements, improvements, and major acquisitions.
• Even the weather improved in 2012. The winter was extremely mild, limiting our costs for snow removal. This year we only had a hurricane, instead of a hurricane and an earthquake as in 2011. Hurricane Sandie brushed by Chestertown on its way to hammering the Northeast of the US. Neighbors to our south were unlucky with flood losses, while ours were minor. Our Street Crew and Utilities Department was quickly on the job, proactively working to limit damages.
• The Chestertown Trail project (phases 1 and 2 at least) became a reality this year. David A. Bramble got the contract for the installation of 1.2 miles of the trail and the asphalt was still hot when people started walking on it. We have received lots of compliments on the first part of the trail and look forward to the 3rd and 4th phases of the project, as well as all of the minor connections to other walks and trails that exist in Town. The overall plan is well documented in our Comprehensive Plan, which is being reviewed by the Planning Commission at present and the transportation /trail element of it will definitely be a focal point this year.
Now would be the time to formally thank some of the trail pioneers for their early efforts in the creation of the trail. Wayne Gilchrest would be the first one recognized for having the funds earmarked by Congress for design of the Trail. Though Wayne actually meant for the nearly $300,000 to go towards engineering of a trail from the Wilmer Park to Worton, the rejection of the funds by the County made the funds ours. Because engineering was only a fraction of the cost for the Town trail, there was money left over in the end for actual construction. I would also like to recognize Debbie Toll, Lee Secrest, and Gibson Anthony for the tenacious way that they and all of their Trail committee compatriots kept the project alive until it could be accomplished. Final thanks go to Governor O’Malley, Ashley Valis, and Beverley Swaim-Staley for their steadfast assistance in the intricacies of this Federal and State assisted project.
• The new zoning ordinance was passed by the Mayor and to the Council and went into effect February 13, 2012. The ordinance was the culmination of years of study and work by the Planning Commission and our staff. It is reflective of the knowledge of local zoning and of the changes that have occurred since zoning was first adopted in 1975. The Plan anticipates the future changes that we want to occur while respecting some of the wonderful and natural original growth patterns of the Colonial and Victorian town that we are. Many suburban-type lot sizes and yard setbacks were pared down to accommodate urban patterns of neighborhoods that will become walk-able as infill development occurs.
• Chestertown bought a marina in May of 2012, following the recommendations of the Port Study Commission. The purchase price of the Chestertown Marina was funded by a State of Maryland Infrastructure Improvement Bond in the amount of $2,045,444 which covered the consideration for the Marina and all settlement and legal fees. The Bond is a 3.562 % loan over a 20 year period. The Town has already received a $40,000 engineering grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Waterway Improvement Division to plan and design the repairs and improvements to the Marina. Further, several large grant applications were made this year to Waterway Improvements for dredging, dock and bulkhead rebuilding and extension. In the meantime, many repairs were made to the Marina in house by Town crews, including decking repairs and leveling, and repairs to the lighting and water lines to the piers.
• The Town took over curbside recycling from the County in 2011 and continues to expand the number of households participating in the program. Our goal is to expand this program even more this year.
• Our local access channel was moved to Channel 77 this year. James Egan continues doing a great job of getting our meetings on air. We also utilize a Constant Contact program, Face book and Website at Chestertown.com complete our electronic mission to inform the public.
• In August of 2012 the Maryland Department of General Service and the Board of Public Works approved the sale of the SFC John H. Newnam National Guard Armory to the Town of Chestertown. In early 2013, the Town will purchase the Armory from the State for the remaining Maryland National Guard debt and immediately resell it to Washington College for ultimate redevelopment following an MOU agreed to by both parties last year. The College has gone as far as to plan some exterior improvements to the building and the Town assisted them by adding the Armory to the Chestertown Historic District this year, enabling the decisions on the exterior to be made locally by the Chestertown Historic District Commission.
• The Town utilized a $139,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the Community Parks and Playgrounds program to fund, build and dedicate the Remembrance Park project on Horsey Lane this year. The project construction contract was awarded to the low bidder on the project: Unity Nurseries, LLC. Though the low bid was higher than the grant award, the Town was fortunate to receive substantial donations and pledges to the construction for trees and sidewalks from many private individuals and the Ginny Gough Estate. We also received a $2,000 commitment from the Chestertown Garden Club of part of the proceeds from the Spring of 2011 Maryland House and Garden Multi-County Pilgrimage. The project was dedicated in November in a touching ceremony attended by many of the donors, Council members and interested neighbors.
• We also hope to use the Community Parks and Playgrounds program in the initial development of the Gateway Park on the western approach to Chestertown. The Town submitted a $203,000 grant application for multiple activities involving a Rail Trail connecting footbridge, a handicapped accessible wetland walking trail, to picnic areas and a basketball court. This could be a great addition to the Town’s park system, adding trail connections to the Town and servicing the fastest growing area of Town.
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• Rolling Road Park continued to make improvements this year with the beginning of the planned dog park. The Town masonry crew built the parking lot to the dog park in the summer and the grading and site work was done in late November by Tom Unruh. The Town is now pricing out the fencing for installation by a local contractor.
• The Visitors Center was open 360 days last year and had over 15,100 visitors. This is a small increase over last year’s figures but well above the lowest year on record of 2007. We all hope that this is an indicator of an improving economy. May was the most active month with 1833 visitors, followed by 1789 visitors in June and April a close third with 1740 visitors.
• The WiFi program for the Downtown public parks, a cooperative venture with the Town and Main Street Historic Chestertown was activated this summer with little fanfare. Efforts to have a virtual kickoff to the WiFi failed to meet with the Governor’s schedule. However, the WiFi is up and running and our thanks to the Sailor Network for providing the free bandwidth necessary to facilitate our outdoor library and to JohnDre Jennings of the Community Legacy Program for helping us with the grant for the WiFi. Final thanks should go out to Carey Callahan who designed and installed the expandable system and Scott Boone, the IT of Kent County, for his technical advice and assistance in the installation process.
• The Farmer’s Market and Artisan’s Market in the Fountain Park continue to fill the Park with a special vitality on Saturday mornings. Our thanks to both market managers for their efforts.
• The Town was awarded an EmPOWERing Clean Community Grant of $28,000 by the State of Maryland’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems on government facilities. These funds were used to retrofit the Town Hall for energy efficiency. The grant provided a 3.5 kilowatt solar array on the roof, a high efficiency gas boiler and new high efficiency lighting fixtures through the Town Hall.
• Jane Jewell headed the Music in the Park program and produced a fantastic summer of Music in the Park concerts. Our thanks go out to her for the donation of her time.
• 2012 saw closing of three of our iconic businesses: David Ferguson Rugs, The Compleat Bookseller and Pride and Joy. While none of the closing s were related to a difficult economy a shiver of fear went through our community that maybe our downtown was dying. Fortunately we had several new businesses fill most of the empty spaces. Artworks and the Chestertown art League merged to create RiverArts which now occupies a beautifully removed space in the Alexander Building. Hegeland Glass is also opening it’s studio and retail shop in the breezeway. The Music Shop has opened in the former Ferguson rug shop and a fitness training center has opened in the former Pride and Joy. The Collection by Susan Kearns and Doug Cutter opened next to Cornucoepia. The shopping center also enjoyed openings with the Gold Exchange Store at Washington Square and the Olympia Sports shop at Kent Plaza. On High Street extended Uncle Charlie’s Bistro opened in the former Red Brick Pizza space.
• Fireworks were shot off on the waterfront on the 4th of July. Our thanks go out to all donors, as well as the shooter/donors Richard Proctor and Joe Nasatka and Washington College.
• Other meaningful Ordinances passed in 2012:
1) Busking was a word that most of us had not heard of before June of this year. Now we have an Ordinance allowing busking in Chestertown. For those of you who do not know what busking is, it is the 1st Amendment right of musicians to perform in public places.
2) Micro-Breweries, Micro-Wineries, and Micro-Distilleries, and Coffee Roasters were specifically allowed by text change amendments made to the Zoning Ordinance this year.
3) Historic Commission procedures for meetings was passed, formalizing the process of the Historic District Commission’s review and decision making. As mentioned earlier, a separate ordinance was passed expanded the Historic District to include the Armory site.
4) An expanded Ethics Ordinance was passed this year after being approved for passage by the State Ethics Board. Our thanks go to the Chestertown Ethics Commission for all the work that they did in creating this required document. Important in this new ordinance are financial and ex parte contact disclosure requirements for the Council, Commissions and Committees to follow.
GOALS FOR 2013
• Keep taxes at the same rate and keep maintain our charted service responsibilities
• Work with businesses and industry in Chestertown to improve our economy and job opportunities
• Find and develop recreational activities for all ages in Chestertown. The NEA grant opportunity is a priority to be utilized immediately in the new year.
• Encourage and expand recycling and all other greening efforts, increase public awareness of the need and advantages of these efforts
• Resolve the issue of the Quaker Neck sewer line with the Kent County Commissioners
• Continue with the review of the comprehensive plan
• Hold riverside fireworks with some help from local donors and the use of the College property
• Place the Armory in the hands of the College for their planned adaptive reuse
• Plan, design and bid out a solar facility at the Chestertown Waste Water Treatment Plant
• Continue to monitor the closure of the Hospital oil recovery program to protect the Well fields of the Town of Chestertown
• Digitize Town records for paperwork reduction and historic preservation
• Request Maryland Bikeways funding for Phases 3 and 4 of the Rail Trail and build those phases
• Work with an intern from the business department from Washington College to determine the wishes and needs of Washington College Students in creating new venues for their patronage thereby increasing spending in our downtown.
• Begin a comprehensive study, toward a 5 year plan, of the suitability and lifespan of all Town and Utilities Commission facilities.
fletcher hall says
Grants, Grants and more Grants. It appears that the foundation of Chestertown is built on Grants.
Jobs, new business, and other vital revenue enhancers are preferable to grants and really stimulate the ecomony of any political subdivision. The same old, same old is not the best way for planning for an incorporated town’s future. Retaining the tax base can siginificantly be improved by making the above revenue ehancers, and others, a reality.
Yes, grants help. However, grants are harder to comeby , more competative, and not as plentiful in a weak economy. They are only one leg of the stool. Non tax enhancers are also an integral of a local economy. The report on tourism was dissapointing and the lack of finances and resources expended in this area is very much inadaquate. Chestertown is a tourist destination, inspite of itself. Is there a plan to capture this opportunity? Are we competative for folks tourism dollars?
Not many other towns have a colonial center, a beautiful river waterfront and the 10th oldest college in the entire nation. And, in a very short travel distance of several major population centers. Very viable for day trips and bus tours to mention only two ways to bring revenue and profits to the town.
The human resources that abound in Chestetown and enviorns are tremendous. Let’s use them more widely and effectively in the coming year. Wisdom, ideas and experience are valuable resources. Employing the use of an intern from Washington College is a meager, yet good beginning. Again, tremendous resourcers are found in those hallowed and venerable halls. An enhanced and collarorative venture, utilizing college resources can help. Communication is a key.
A town founded in 1706 is a has proven to be a survivor.
Now, the future is job # 1.
Louise OBrien says
Mayor Bailey, An optimistic and comprehensive report. Thank you. You didn’t include the plastic bag ban. Wasn’t that ordinance created in 2012?
fletcher hall says
It appears the Mayor thought to bag it.
Fletcher R. Hall
Chestertown
Janet Brandon says
We are so fortunate to have such a savvy mayor!! And the rest of the administrators too…I love the town and all its accomplishments…Here’s to the wonderful future ahead!! Thanks, Mayor Bailey.
Keith Thompson says
“Busking was a word that most of us had not heard of before June of this year. Now we have an Ordinance allowing busking in Chestertown. For those of you who do not know what busking is, it is the 1st Amendment right of musicians to perform in public places.”
Hmm, passing an ordinance that allows musicians to practice their 1st Amendment rights is lauded as an accomplishment? Doesn’t that mean that prior to the passing of the ordinance, the town was effectively violating musicians’ 1st Amendment rights? Why weren’t busking rights taken seriously by the town until they were served with letters by the ACLU and the Rutherford Institute?
John Mann says
” Request Maryland Bikeways funding for Phases 3 and 4 of the Rail Trail and build those phases”
I’ll be following this one closely. I love the rail trail and would love a longer rail trail even more.