·         Minutes of Boyle Municipal District Meeting on 21^st May, 2021;

·         Minutes of Boyle Annual Meeting on 21^st June, 2021

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor J. Murphy

 SECONDED by Councillor John Cummins

 It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 21^st May, 2021

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF BOYLE ANNUAL MEETING ON 21^ST JUNE, 2021

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor J. Cummins

 SECONDED by Councillor Liam Callaghan

 It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 21^st June, 2021, 2021

Cllr J. Murphy asked whether a letter had been sent to the TII re traffic calming measures on the N5 at Strokestown.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Coordinator stated that a letter had been sent to the TII and we are awaiting a response.

Ms Nollaig Feeney, Heritage Officer gave a presentation on Roscommon Swift Colony Creation Project 2021 in the Boyle Municipal District.  Swifts are a small species of bird that visit Ireland during the Spring and Summer seasons.  Roscommon County Council are hoping to implement an immediate Swift Colony Project which would include enhancing existing nest sites to include additional nesting opportunities through providing new nest boxes/bricks.  Ms Nollaig Feeney, Heritage Officer asked for the co-operation of the elected members and agreement in principle from the members to proceed with the project.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor J. Cummins

 SECONDED by Councillor Liam Callaghan

 It was AGREED to support the Roscommon Swift Colony Creation Project 2021

Installation of speed ramps on the Clonslanor Road near Strokestown:

“I propose the motion calling on Roscommon County Council to install speed ramps on the Cloonslanor Rd. by the council yard on to the Cloonfinlough Road in Strokestown”.

I propose the motion calling on Roscommon County Council to install speed ramps on the Cloonslanor Rd. by the council yard on to the Cloonfinlough Rd. in Strokestown. 

ANSWER

There is a substantial density of housing on this road and the provision of speed ramps will inevitably be a source of substantial noise which has historically proven to be unacceptable in built up areas.  It would be necessary to investigate the opinion of the residents in this regard by way of survey.  Should there be unanimity towards the provision of ramps we will endeavour to obtain funding for provision of same.

Cllr J Murphy stated he had met with local residents who are concerned with the volume and speed of traffic in the area.  Cllr Murphy asked if anything could be done to slow down vehicles.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Cooordinator suggested that a survey be carried out amongst people living in the area to measure the demand for speed ramps.  Cllr Murphy agreed to undertake the survey.  It was agreed that the residents should be made aware of the noise which speed ramps can generate.  Cllr Cummins acknowledged that it is important to look at safety but ease of access for emergency services must also be taken into account.

Survey, costing and solution for repair of section of Regional Road (R371):

“That Roscommon County Council carry out a survey and come up with an engineering solution and costing for a funding application for the stretch of Regional Road (R371) from Ballyfeeney National School to the Rooskey side of Kilglass Church. This stretch of substandard road is often the scene of very serious accidents including a number of heavy goods vehicles overturned on Road.”

That Roscommon County Council carry out a survey and come up with an engineering solution and costing for a funding application for the stretch of Regional Road (R371) from Ballyfeeney National School to the Rooskey side of Kilglass Church. This stretch of substandard road is often the scene of very serious accidents including a number of heavy goods vehicles overturned of Road. 

ANSWER

Currently there is virtually no availability of funding for specific road improvement and little prospect thereof.  As a consequence of this the preparation of design and costing for this section of road would be futile in the immediate term.  Notwithstanding this we will explore the possibility of improving signage and road markings where the horizontal alignment is particularly deficient.  The surface of the R371 is generally in good condition for the entirety of its length and improvements in this regard have been regularly carried out in recent years.  We recognise the history of serious accidents which are essentially due to excessive speed and driver error

Cllr Crosby acknowledged the reply welcoming the possibility of improving signage but stated that a survey and a costing must be done to find a solution for this dangerous stretch of road.  Cllr Murphy and Cllr Byrne supported Cllr Crosby stating that there is a big drop on the side of this road.  Cllr Murphy stated that the surface of the road is good but the road is not wide enough.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor T. Crosby

 SECONDED by Councillor J. Murphy

 It was AGREED to support a survey, costing and solution for repair of section of Regional Road (R371)

Access to TÚS:

How can small towns and villages access TÚS workers in their areas?

How can small towns and villages access TÚS workers in their areas?

REPLY

The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short term working opportunities for unemployed people. All the work carried out by participants in the Tús scheme must benefit the community.

The types of project eligible for the scheme may include:

• Energy conservation work in homes and community buildings
• Social care of all age groups and people with disabilities
• Caretaking, securing, supervising of community buildings and spaces
• Renovation of community and sporting facilities, including the regeneration andenhancement of community, recreation and sporting spaces
• Work in support of cultural and heritage activities
• Community administration and community event management
• Coaching for sporting activities
• Retail services
• Repair of equipment of the Third World i.e. farm tools, bicycles, computers, sewing machines, health equipment

 Community and voluntary organisations with a proposed work placement should register with Roscommon LEADER Partnership Company. They will be asked to submit a proposal detailing the work and the number of participants requested. Roscommon LEADER Partnership Company will assess and make a decision on the proposal.

 A community organisation looking to offer a placement may contact the office of the Roscommon LEADER Partnership Company on 090 6630252 or at the following address

Roscommon LEADER Partnership
Unit 12, Tower B 
Roscommon West Business Park
Golf Links Road 
Roscommon Town
Co. Roscommon

Rooskey:

Would the Director of Services provide the following information: 

What was the cost incurred on the Council in the drawing up of the reconstruction plans for Rooskey Bridge which were on public display in 2008 also why did the works not proceed and where was the funding of €700,000 that was allocated as a joint funding project to Roscommon and Leitrim County Councils for the complete reconstruction works of the bridge increasing the carriageway to 6 Meters wide and providing a new footpath across the bridge?

Would the Director of Services provide the following information: 

What was the cost incurred on the Council in the drawing up of the reconstruction plans for Rooskey Bridge which were on public display in 2008 also why did the works not proceed and where was the funding of €700,000 that was allocated as a joint funding project to Roscommon and Leitrim County Councils for the complete reconstruction works of the bridge increasing the carriageway to 6 Meters wide and providing a new footpath across the bridge.

ANSWER

According to our current records Roscommon County Council charged an amount just in excess of €133,000 between 2004 and 2009 to produce a design, part 8, contract documents and tender for the widening of Rooskey Bridge. The works did not proceed at the time due to the rapid decline in the economy and any funding in excess of this that may have been approved in principle to complete the works, were withdrawn by the Department.

Footpaths and public lighting along the Ballytoohey Road to Tarmonbarry Village:

Would the Director of Services inform the meeting - has a costing been carried and an application made for funding to provide footpaths and public lighting from Curraun National School along the  Ballytoohey Road to Tarmonbarry Village?

Would the Director of Services inform the meeting has a costing been carried and an application made for funding to provide footpaths and public lighting from Curraun National School along the Ballytoohey Road to Tarmonbarry Village

ANSWER

Roscommon County Council is currently working on projects under the Active Travel Scheme 2021 to the value of €2.4m.  These were projects selected and approved for 2021 by the National Transport Authority. The design of Road improvements including footpath and public lighting to Curraun National School from Termonbarry is not currently on that list of projects and has not been evaluated.  We are therefore not in a position to apply for this project at this time.  The Active Travel division will however have the chance to apply in 2022 for additional projects and this project will be costed and considered in that submission. 

Cllr Crosby congratulated Cootehall Community Development Group on the work carried out on Cootehall Barracks, the former home of John McGahern, which is now a museum with a permanent John McGahern exhibition.  Cllr Crosby encouraged people to visit the museum and proposed that a letter would be prepared commending the group on the work carried out.  Cllr Callaghan stated that projects like this promote small villages.

On the Proposal of Cllr Crosby

Seconded by Cllr Callaghan

It was agreed to write a letter of congratulations to the Cootehall Community Development group on the restoration of the former Cootehall Barracks to the John McGahern Museum that was officially opened earlier this year

REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR INTRODUCTION OF BY-LAW BY LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL

By-Law banning all jet skis and speed boats on the River Shannon – Leitrim County Council

“In the interest of safety and in light of recent incidents, we bring in a by-law banning all jet-skis and speed boats on the River Shannon.  That this motion be forwarded to Roscommon County Council, Boyle Municipal District and the National Parks & Wildlife Services seeking their support”

Cllr J Cummins queried who has jurisdiction over the River Shannon and asked whether the Council would have any input into making this decision.  Mr. John Keane, Chief Fire Officer stated that powerboats are used for rescue operations by groups such as the Civil Defence and Lough Ree SubAqua Rescue and in these circumstances the use of powerboats must be allowed. The elected members agreed they would need to get advice on the matter prior to the next plenary meeting.

Cllr L. Callaghan queried when work would commence on the Tulsk /Rathcroghan road.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Coordinator stated that there is no start date as yet.

The elected members agreed to look at an alternate date for a Boyle Municipal District Meeting so as to facilitate a prompt decision on the allocation of Boyle Municipal District Funds.  This would expedite the issuing of grants so that community groups can complete projects in 2021 and during more clement conditions.