·         Minutes of Boyle MD meeting on 17^th July, 2020

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor John Cummins.

             SECONDED by Councillor Tom Crosby

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 18^th July, 2020

There were no matters arising.

A presentation was made to the elected members regarding the N4 Carrick on Shannon to Dromod Project.  Gary Kelly Senior Executive Engineer, NRRO, and a representative of OVE Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd Engineering Consultants, Eileen McCarthy, who have been engaged by Leitrim County Council to progress the project addressed the elected members of Boyle Municipal District and Roscommon County Council officials outlining the various stages and route selection methodology for the proposed new bypass.  The objective of the scheme is to provide interconnectivity between the North and North West of the country and Dublin.  A public consultation is planned for early October.

A number of the elected members raised concerns in respect of problems which may arise when making decisions on planning applications adjacent to preferred route options. The councilors also raised concerns in relation to the effect the scheme may have on tourism, the cost of the scheme and the need for sufficient funding to progress the project to its completion.

3.20 Cllr Tom Crosby –Transport Infrastructure Ireland

3.20            Notice of Motion from Cllr. Crosby

That Roscommon County Council make a recommendation to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to put in place Digital Traffic Warning Lights and Double White Lines on the N5 approach roads from Strokestown and Tulsk to The Maples and Lisnaree Residential Housing Estates which exit on opposite sides in the same location on to the extremely busy National Primary N5 road.

Reply:  On the 9^th September Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-ordinator met with residents representatives from The Maples, Strokestown. All of the traffic issues on the N5 in the environs of The Maples were discussed and Mr. Conlon undertook to carry out various works in respect of signage and road markings.

The results of a speed survey are currently at hand and in light of this new information we will again contact the Road Safety Officer in TII with a further request for vehicle activated speed signage having been previously unsuccessful in this regard.

Mr. Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator, undertook to carry out various works and to report back to the residents in the next few weeks.

Cllr Crosby acknowledged the work carried out by Roscommon County Council in respect of traffic problems in this area and recognized that these works are under the constraints of the TII.  He stated that more work needs to be done.  Cllr Murphy, Cllr Byrne and Cllr Callaghan concurred with Cllr Crosby and Cllr Callaghan stated that the TII must take on board these legitimate complaints from the public.

There are 3 questions submitted for Boyle Municipal Meeting

4.20 Cllr Crosby – Maple and Lisnaree Residential Housing Estate

5.20 Cllr Murphy – Social Housing at Elphin Street, Strokestown

6.20 Cllr Murphy – Maintenance of trees at Lisroyne Oaks, Strokestown.

There were three questions submitted.

4.20            Question from Cllr. Crosby

Will the Director of Services or Engineer meet with the residents group representing The Maples and Lisnaree Residential Housing Estates?

Reply:  On the 9^th September Mr. Michael Conlon,  Municipal District Co-Ordinator, met with residents representatives from of the estates.

5.20            Question from Cllr. Murphy

When do the council expect the building of the council houses in Elphin Street, Strokestown to commence?

Reply:

It is expected that works on site will commence in November 2020.  Roscommon County Council /Housing are currently assessing the tenders submitted

6.20            Question from Cllr. Murphy

Is there an update on the topping of trees behind Lisroyne Oaks in Strokestown as discussed at a previous meeting, to curtail the nuisance of crows to the residents?

Reply:  Having carried out an examination of land ownership in question on Land Registry it has been identified that this Courthouse property is not registered as a property of Roscommon County Council therefore the Council has no grounds to carry out works on it.

Cllr Callaghan congratulated Cyril McGuire , Roads Supervisor on his recent retirement saying Cyril was a very dedicated and  approachable person .   All the elected members and Mr. Shane Tiernan Director of Services wished to be associated with wishing Cyril and his family well. 

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Cllr Mulligan queried whether speed ramps or rumble strips could be put in place on the Sligo Road, Ballaghadereen.  Mr. Shane Tiernan stated that this would have to be an engineering decision and would have to be based on traffic guidelines.  It was agreed that the engineering staff would look into the matter.

Cllr Murphy raised the issue of ‘casual trading spaces’ in Strokestown stating that some local people felt they had no input into the matter having missed an opportunity to make submissions when the public consultation process was originally advertised on social media and through local newspapers.   Cllr Crosby stated that he was very unhappy with where the casual traders were located in Strokestown and the space they were taking up.  He outlined that he had a personal interest in the matter as his daughter was the owner of properties which were being affected by the location of casual traders and the spread of the traders pitches were preventing the progress of works on these properties.  He outlined that casual traders are taking over large spaces on the street and confining movement in front of businesses.  Cllr Byrne stated that the casual traders are causing problems for delivery lorries and reducing the number of parking spaces.  Cllr John Cummins queried if the bylaws had acutally commenced and if enforcement could be commenced where traders were not compliant with the bylaws.

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services, stated that these bye-laws are in place since January 2020 from when they were declared on Iris Oifigiuil.  He acknowledged that there was a delay in commencing the bylaws and implementing space markings as a result of the COVID – 19 crisis.  He outlined that the introduction of the bylaws went through the full statutory process including draft development under the relevant SPC, public consultation where the draft bylaws were detailed in local newspapers, social media, the Council webpage and the bylaws including map locations were available for public viewing on the Council website, in the Councils public offices and libraries in the respective towns concerned.  He also stated that the feedback from the public consultation was brought back to the SPC and the Draft Bylaws including locations were further amended.  At this point they were then brought before the full Council Plenary Meeting of July 2019.  At this meeting the Draft bylaws were further amended before being proposed for adoption by Cllr. John Cummins and Seconded by Cllr. Tom Crosby.

Cllr. John Cummins stated that everything the Director had outlined was an accurate record of what happened.

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services said that if there is an issue of non-compliance then the Enforcement Section will have to take action and that this had already taken place.

Cllr Crosby queried if the designated trading area could be situated away from residential and business premises.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services stated that the bye-laws could be amended but a new statutory process would have to be completed prior to this happening including further public consultation.  He stated that the council intend to complete a review of the Casual Trading Bye-Laws and this would most  likely roll into 2021 allowing for the bedding down of the existing setup and the process the Council has to go through in reviewing and amending the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.20b

Cllr Murphy and Cllr Byrne complimented Strokestown Town Team on the painting scheme throughout the town

Cllr Byrne queried whether the old road patching units could be used in conjunction with the new unit to expedite road repairs.

Cllr Byrne welcomed the proposed Town Centre Public Enhancement and Redevelopment of Elphin.

Cllr Callaghan queried why some roads had a different surface finish to others on the scheme.  Mr. Tom McDermott, Executive Engineer stated that costing for the roads are made on the basis of the information supplied on the application form and the road finish is completed based on this information.  He outlined that where private roads only led to lands or bog that the finish would typically align with agricultural use as opposed to where dwellings were involved and a higher quality finish would be costed but obviously this meant a higher local contribution.

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services confirmed that following a review by the SPC, the Local Improvement Scheme will re-open in October and application forms will be available at this time.

Cllr Callaghan stated that some improvement work has been completed on this stretch of road.

Cllr Callaghan asked for support for Culture Night on Friday 18^th September 2020.

Cllr Crosby queried when the pedestrian crossing and footpaths would be completed.  Mr. Tom McDermott, Executive Engineer, stated that work is continuing.  The kerbing is due in two weeks and then the tarmac can be laid.

The elected members agreed that this meeting would be scheduled for Tuesday 20^th

September, 2020

NEXT BOYLE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT MEETING

The next Boyle Municipal District Meeting will take place on Friday November 20^th, 2020.

This concluded the business of the meeting