The Chestertown Town Council met Monday, May 19, 2014. Utilities Manager Bill Sipe gave an update about the oil cleanup effort at the Chester River Medical Center site, including the Town’s letter to Shore Health requesting changes to the implementation of the cleanup (see previous video).
Chestertown Police Chief Baker reported on the investigation into the May 9 Calvert Street drive-by shooting. Baker indicated that a concerted effort between CPD and Maryland State Police has been underway but was unable to disclose further information at this time.
In response to the drive-by, Ivan Houston, a resident of the Calvert St. area, along with a dozen other residents, voiced concern over community safety issues citing examples of continual speeding incidents along Calvert And College Ave.
City Manager Bill Ingersoll agreed to a request for two speed-bumps to be included on Calvert St. and one on the 400 block of College Avenue. Residents also voiced concern over parking issues, especially with visiting non-residents parking in the alleys. It was suggested that some type of resident parking sticker be considered to help identify non-resident vehicles. Requests were made for better lighting and for street cleaning schedules so that cars could be moved in time.
In other business, Briggs Cunningham, Energy Programs Manager for Washington College’s Center for the Environment, addressed the Council in regard to the Town’s interest in revisiting the use of solar power for the water treatment plant. He said that before considering any solar implementation that the Town had to file a request with Delmarva Power for an interconnection application. The application response would clarify the interconnectivity parameters and how much Delmarva Power would be willing to accept back into the grid. The application is free and is non-binding for any further pursuit.
Other items:
• Rick Wirtz, Psychologist at Chester River Behavioral Health, was granted a request to the Mayor for a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Month to remind the community to recommit to addressing mental health issues.
• Hope Clark and Milford Murray of the Diversity Dialogue Group updated the Council on the progress made for growing a community garden on a vacant lot on Lynchburg Street. Clark said that she canvassed the area, and of the 24 residents contacted, all were in favor of the garden. She added that the possibility that someone might impair the garden should not keep it from being undertaken. The Town has supported the proposal and City Manager Bill Ingersoll said that he would look into a water on-site water source.
• Drew McMullen, President of Sultana Education Foundation updated the Council on the progress of their new Cross Street facility. He indicated that they were two-thirds funded and hoped to be fully funded for the project by August. McMullen asked the Council for a funding resolution to enter into a partnership with Sultana to submit a request for a $100,000 Community Legacy Grant from the Dept. of Housing and Community Development. Mayor Cerino recused himself from the motion, which passed.
Bill Anderson says
Editor,
I am still left wondering why Chestertown doesn’t bring suit against the hospital for the cost of drilling a new well, sited where the oil seepage will not be or become a factor, to replace drinking water supplies which have been affected. How can one know if any “clean-up”, chemically induced or otherwise, can really be effective and whether the affected well can ever safely be used again? Then leave the hospital and Maryland Dept. of the Environment and the federal EPA to fight about what else needs to be done.