·         Minutes of Boyle MD meeting on 20^th November, 2020

On the PROPOSAL OF Cllr J. Murphy

             SECONDED by Cllr. M. Mulligan

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District Meeting of 20^th November, 2020

Cllr V. Byrne queried the current situation in relation to the pedestrian crossing at Cortober.  Mr. M. Conlon Municipal District Co-Ordinator replied by stating the contractors will connect the lighting when road marking has been completed.  It is hoped the work will be completed next week.

Cllr Crosby queried when the overlay would be completed in Rooskey.  Mr. M Conlon, MDC stated that completion of the overlay is planned for 2021, the area most in need of restoration will be completed first and the remainder at a later stage.  Works must be essential and not compromise public health and safety.  Mr. M. Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator added that a Town & Village Scheme is being prepared and it is hoped that both schemes can be combined.

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services, stated that work will be progressed following risk assessment and only where it is deemed to be repair, maintenance or construction of critical transport infrastructure.  He added that contractors are required to provide documents which show that they can comply with COVID – 19 Standard Operating Guidelines and associated safety requirements and restrictions. 

That Roscommon County Council remove, clean up and fence off a location in Strokestown, behind the old Magnet Ballroom, where very serious indiscriminate dumping is ongoing for a long time.

The dumping is a very serious threat to the local environment and a major health hazard from the vermin the dumping attracts to the families who reside in the immediate vicinity.

It is critical that access to this derelict dangerous building is securely fenced off as the rear of this building has collapsed and is now in a dangerous state and allows unprotected access to the public.

REPLY

The Environment Section of Roscommon County Council is actively pursuing the site owner to put into effect a clean-up of the site. However in the meantime, pending a resolution of the situation, arrangements are being made to have the site cleaned of municipal waste and secured with cost recovery from the registered owner. The building is not currently on the Derelict Sites Register.  The Planning Authority will investigate the reported collapse of the rear of the building to establish whether it is now a dangerous structure.

Cllr V Byrne stated that she had received several calls in relation to canine litter.  Cllr Byrne is calling on the public to report people who fail to pick up their dogs litter.  Cllr V Byrne stated that people who are working and living in the area should not have to sweep up after other dog owners fouling

Cllr J Cummins stated that there had been a problem with flooding of these cemeteries recently.  Cllr J Cummins thanked the staff of the Boyle Municipal District for the work done in alleviating the problem.  Cllr. Cummins queried whether further work could be done when Covid restrictions are lifted.  Mr. Michael Conlon Municipal District Co-Ordinator stated that in relation to Arigna Cemetery a survey could be carried out to see what works could be done to improve the situation.

Cllr Michael Mulligan stated that he had received reports in relation to the requirement for additional fencing at Keadue Cemetery.  Mr. M. Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator responded by saying that there is funding available and a contractor will be appointed.

Cllr J Cummins queried what work can be progressed to address the knocked boundary wall adjacent to the bridge.   Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services responded by saying a contractor has been appointed and funding is available.  Works will progress subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

Cllr Liam Callaghan asked for an update on the status of the N5 Project.  Mr. Shane Tiernan Director of Services responded by saying there are 3 qualifying tenders.  It is hoped that there will be a decision by the end of the first quarter.  Before contractor appointment, the project must be appraised in accordance with the Public Spending Code and get recommended by the Minister for Transport for approval by Government

Cllr L Callaghan asked for an update on the N4 project.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services replied by saying approval had been given for a quarter of a million euro to progress works.  It is hoped that work on the ground will be underway in June.

Cllr L Callaghan queried the position of works in Tulsk village.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator replied by saying that there is a small quantity of footway and accommodation works to be completed.

Cllr L Callaghan asked for an update on the works planned for the Square in Ballaghadereen.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator replied that funding had been approved and consultants appointed.  Cllr M Mulligan welcomed the design project and queried whether some of the funding allocated could be spent on the approach road from Sligo.  Mr. M Conlon, Municipal Dlstrict Co-Ordinator advised that the constraints of the scheme dictated that the work would be town centre orientated.

Cllr Valerie Byrne queried what works are proposed for this section of road which is in County Roscommon but connects two villages in County Leitrim.  Mr Shane Tiernan, Director of Services responded, stating that there had been discussion between both Councils.  Both Councils have made submissions under Active Travel Measures and are seeking funding. 

Cllr V Byrne stated that blockwork had been completed and queried what the next stage would be.  Mr. M. Conlon Municipal District Co-Ordinator responded by saying it is envisaged that further work could be progressed in the current year.

Cllr T Crosby queried the current status of the Traffic Management Plan for Tarmonbarry.  Mr. Shane Tiernan Director of Services stated that the Council are not in a position to give an update today as he did not have the information to hand.

Cllr T Crosby asked for an update on a request by residents to have a small road in the Cloonfour area taken in charge.  Mr. Shane Tiernan stated that there is a statutory process involved and when this is completed satisfactorily the road would be taken in charge.

Cllr T Crosby queried the current situation in relation to improvement works at Rooskey Bridge.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services responded by saying that the Department have said that the process must start from the beginning again, the original project had been halted due to the downturn in the economy.  Cllr Crosby stated this was unacceptable.  Cllr Joe Murphy supported Cllr T Crosby stating that Rooskey bridge catered for a large volume of traffic and work needed to progress.

Cllr J Murphy noted that great safety works had been carried out at Scramogue Church and cemetery.  Cllr Murphy stated that an issue remained in respect of the ESB and Telecom poles.

Cllr J Murphy queried whether the Council could erect a barrier to prevent people parking and leaving waste behind particularily during the night.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator stated that the area of ground in question may be in private ownership. He said that if it is private ground he can assess any proposal with regard to the installation of a deterring barrier to ensure it would comply with safe road design guidelines.

Cllr  Michael Mulligan referred to the CETA AGREEMENT and stated that  this agreement will have a huge effect on the Irish Market.  He said  this agreement allows Canada supply the EU with 50000Tof beef and allows global corporations the right to sue sovereign states because their profits may be impacted by changes in government policy.  Cllr M Mulligan proposed that Irish trade must be supported.  Cllr V Byrne seconded this proposal.

Cllr J Cummins asked for clarification on funding announced by the TII and DTTAS for the Roads Programme.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator replied by stating that a revised road scheme was being prepared taking account of road works proposed by the members and roads where essential works were required.  This proposed Roads Programme would be put before the members at the next municipal district meeting.  Cllr V Byrne welcomed this.

Cllr T Crosby queried whether hedge cutting can take place at road junctions and blackspots during the bird nesting season. Mr. Michael Conlon Municipal District Co-Ordinator responded by saying that the bird nesting season commences on the 1^st March but there is always a departure for road and junction safety reasons.

Cllr Liam Callaghan stated that there are large trees overhanging this cemetery and the trees removal would incur huge cost.  He queried whether the Council could do any works to improve the situation.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services stated that there is not National funding for cemeteries, funding is provided from our own resources.  He stated that with the limited budget available for over 100 council owned cemeteries, any works carried out will be risk based and priority will be given to busier cemeteries where there are works required to ensure risk is mitigated.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator stated that the issue can be looked at in the totality of the budget available.

Cllr L Callaghan expressed his sympathy to all the families who have lost family members during Covid.

Cllr J Murphy expressed his sympathy to the family of Bernice Treacy , Ballyhubert, Scramogue.  Cllr Crosby wished to be associated with this expression of sympathy.

It was agreed to hold the next Boyle Municipal District Meeting on Friday 26^th March 2021