The restoration of Fountain Park was the May 5, 2014 Town Council meeting’s primary topic. Barb MacBeth, President of the Chestertown Garden Club offered the group’s recommendations and former Garden Club president, Nora Carey, gave an overview of the Park’s history and the Chestertown Garden Club’s involvement curating and developing the area over the years.
Town Manager Bill Ingersoll suggested that the Saturday Market vendors could use the 300 block of High St. during the restoration of the Park. To cause minimal disruption for the market vendors, it was suggested that the park restoration could take place in sections (there are four quadrants), and during the restoration only vendors in that quadrant would utilize the temporary High St. location. The Town Manager also stated that that part of High St. could be blocked off during the market times. He would like the DCA’s take on the issue. Mayor Cerino stated that “it’s time to do something, so let’s get the study started.”
https://youtu.be/ifMLxkbwzbM
Mayor Cerino asked the the Council to revisit the idea of using solar power for municipal buildings. Town Manager Bill Ingersoll noted that since the last study was implemented over a year ago that costs have changed and that another look would be worthwhile. Councilwoman Kuiper indicated that she would like firsthand input from townships who are currently using solar.
https://youtu.be/38bM_v_wH3Y
The Mayor stated that a Waterfront charette—fact finding mission—will be held May 28 at 6 PM in the large boat shed at the Chestertown Marina. Engineers From McCrone, Inc. will be present to participate and gather information to use for concept drawings for the next charettes. The public is invited.
https://youtu.be/iiHX0uajHic
Other News:
• Chief Baker reported that the Station Study Committee is looking at two sets of sites for the future police station and evaluations are contingent on whether the new station would be in tandem with County Public Safety or solely the town’s police station. The Chief also introduced the newest member of the Chestertown Police: Canine Officer Gator.
• Mayor Cerino requested consideration of implementing new directional signage for downtown Chestertown. Currently there are no directional signs to indicate the waterfront, Rail Trail, shops and other downtown features. He said Zoning Administrator Kees de Mooy was putting together a small working group to offer design and placement ides.
• Mayor Cerino said that the proposed baseball field concept at Kent County Middle School was currently delayed by the Kent County Board of Education who are reviewing the request. He said they were excited about the possibility of a combined county and town grant request from the DNR’s Parks and Playgrounds funds.
• Mayor Cerino accepted a proposal by People’s Bank for free concerts in Fountain Park to be held three Thursdays in July: 10, 17 and 24, scheduled during weeks when no Saturday concerts were scheduled for Fountain Park. The concerts would showcase local talent provided by the Mainstay along with sound equipment for the shows. The proposal was approved.
Ward Reports
• Councilman Stetson reported that the Rail Trail path was substantially cleaner than last year’s litter pick-up. He would like the Council to consider the placement of a portapotty along the trail to accommodate those in need.
• Councilman Shoge suggested that the Council consider the stanchions at the train crossing lights on High St. be considered as a prime location for town marketing banners. He also wondered if anything could be done to the barren concrete strip at the intersection of Rt. 213 and Morgneck Rd,
• A C-3 business zone meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 23.
Public
• WC Safety Officer and veteran Gene Davis asked the Council to consider putting on their agenda a discussion about erecting a memorial for Kent County soldiers fallen in the War on Terror.
• Hope Clark and Milford Murray, on behalf of the Diversity Group, requested the Council to consider use of two adjacent vacant lots owned by the City near Prospect and Calvert Streets to be used as a location for a community garden. The gardens would be maintained by volunteers and all material provided by the group. Town Manager Bill Ingersoll stated that the City might be able to provide access to water. Clark and Murray were seeking a public forum to see how the community would respond to the idea. The Council responded positively to considering it for their agenda.
Email Address for town council members:
Marty Stetson: martystetson
Samuel Shoge: [email protected]
Liz Gross: [email protected]
Linda C. Kuiper: [email protected]
Mayor Chris Cerino: [email protected]
Town Manager Bill Ingersoll: [email protected]
Bill Anderson says
Editor,
Just wondering how suddenly, every reference to the municipality seems to refer to the “City”. I always thought that ChesterTOWN was a “Town”, with a “Town Council”, Town Manager, “Town Park”, and vacant lots owned by the “Town”, etc. Has something occurred while I was not being attentive?
James Dissette says
Editor note: Thanks,Bill. You’re right, Chestercity awaits. Until then..
Gren Whitman says
Because it’s just (1) a method or (2) an emotion, “terror” isn’t anything to declare a war against.
A “war on terror” isn’t what the United States conducted—is conducting—in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as Pakistan, Yemen, etc.
If a monument is to be erected in Chestertown to memorialize victims of the U.S.’s criminal attacks on these nations, we are morally obliged to recognize all the “fallen,” not just ”Kent County soldiers.”
Such a monument would solemnly apologize to the thousands upon thousands killed and maimed by our nation’s aggressions and thus begin to repair the vast damages wrought in our name.