At the Chestertown Town Council’s most recent meeting yesterday evening, new council member Linda Kuiper (Ward 2) and returning council member Marty Stetson (Ward 4) were sworn in, followed swiftly by Mayor Bailey’s recap of 2011’s highlights. The full report is posted below.
According to the town’s “2011 Report of Municipal Affairs”, Chestertown begins 2012 in “excellent financial condition”, based on an unqualified audit conducted in December of last year. With a general surplus of “over $1,100,000” since July 2011, the Council has worked to “combat the ever decreasing funding historically provided by State and County governments.”
As for plans for 2012, the Council plans on continuing projects started last year, some of which will be assisted by money granted by the state in 2011. The Town hall will be retrofitted for energy efficiency thanks to a $28,000.00 “EmPOWERing Clean Community Grant”, and a $139,000.00 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the Community Parks and Playgrounds project will fund the Remembrance Park project on Horsey Lane.
Rails to Trails should be completed this year, with David A. Bramble Inc. as the lowest bidder on the construction project, costing the town $359,248.00. The Armory will be transferred to the ownership and management of Washington College this year, a transaction infamous for its drama and controversy. There was also discussion of the passage of the new zoning ordinance which is still pending for 2012.
This month, the Council will be conducting interviews to replace the Chief of Police Rob Elder.
And also this month will also see the actualization of the plastic bag ban passed last April, going into effect January 19.
Janice Dickson says
Impressive.
Congratulations to all the people who made 2011 such a successful year for Chestertown.
Mr. Les says
A surplus of cash. Let’s help stimulate the local economy by sending each of the 2000 households in Chestertown a check for $550.00.