There were no conflicts of interest declared.

·         Minutes of Boyle MD Meeting 19^th January 2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Tom Crosby

SECONDED by Cllr. John Cummins

andAGREED, the minutes of the Boyle MD meeting of 19^th January 2024 were ADOPTED.

·         Minutes of Interim Boyle MD Meeting 2^nd February 2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Valerie Byrne

SECONDED by Cllr. John Cummins

andAGREED, the minutes of the Boyle MD Interim meeting of 2^nd February were ADOPTED.

There were no matters arising.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. John Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Valerie Byrne

It was AGREED by all members to adopt the Draft Boyle Municipal District Road Works Scheme 2024.

Members thanked Mr. I. Kilcline and Area Engineers for drafting the roads programme in such a comprehensive way. Pre-meeting on Roads Programme very beneficial.

Scheme will commence in April 2024.

Roads not on Roads Programme 2024:  Will be maintained by Patching Unit.

Horizontal joint seal on roads issue:  Concerns that centre of road begins to fray.

Mr. G. O’Donnell stated that there is a skid resistance issue.  Joints are staggered. Centre road marking has grip built in.  Mr. I. Kilcline will review roads concerned.

Discussions have taken place regarding obtaining a Grader.

Water Tables: Funding available for opening of water tables.

Road Junctions:  prioritised for hedge cutting.

Road resurfacing to boundary wall of property:  Mr. I. Kilcline will raise this with Senior Engineer.

Mr. I. Kilcline gave following response received from Roads & Transportation:

“Road Design are in consultation with the national school regarding proposals for improving the junction in front of the school. The Principal is in favour of our proposed improvements and we are waiting on completion of a Road Safety Audit Report before we present it to the MD”

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Tom Crosby

SECONDED by Cllr. Valerie Byrne,

And AGREED by all members, the funding allocations under the Boyle MD Fund 2024 were APPROVED.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Tom Crosby

SECONDED by Cllr. Joe Murphy,

AndAGREED by all members, the amended proposal from Strokestown Tidy Towns under the Boyle MD Fund 2022 was APPROVED.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Tom Crosby

SECONDED by Cllr. Joe Murphy,

AndAGREED by all members, the amended proposal from Strokestown Golf Club under the Boyle MD Fund 2023 was APPROVED.

There were no Notices of Motion presented.

There were no questions presented.

Sympathy

Members wished to express sympathy to the family of John O’Connor on his recent passing and acknowledge his dedication to public life and to the people of Frenchpark.

Congratulations

Cllr. V. Byrne and supported by all members wished to acknowledge the success of Elphin Community College students on their becoming World Champions at the Junk Couture Awards.

Cllr. L. Callaghan acknowledged Cllr. Michael Mulligan on his upcoming retirement from Local Government and the Municipal District.  He gave a brief account of Cllr. Mulligan’s career during his time as Local Councillor, his role as a public representative and his ability to interact with different members of his community.

Mr. Greg O’Donnell, on behalf of the Executive, and the Members joined in wishing Cllr. Mulligan the best in his retirement.

Mr. Greg O’Donnell requested that the next meeting scheduled for 17^th May 2024 be deferred to Friday 31^st May 2024 to allow time to present a Part 8 and Estate Taken in Charge to members.

Cllr. Liam Callaghan proposed that meeting be held at 11.00a.m. on Friday 31^st May 2024.

The following were raised:

Overflowing rivers due to weather causing lands to flood and is affecting farmers.  Can Council get back to draining Rivers?

Mr. Greg O’Donnell stated that environmental issues relating to climate change have seen opinions change on river drainage and the impact this can have further down river.  Draining land is affecting water quality and EPA has requested this activity stop. Some flood relief schemes directed by the OPW can be done but there are multiple complicating factors.

A representative group accompanied Cllr.Michael Mulligan to meeting in order to raise concerns about the proposed building of 106 modular homes in Ballaghaderreen.

Cllr. Michael Mulligan asked for an update on the development’s planning application and stated reasons why this development is unsuitable for the town of Ballaghaderreen.

Mr. Greg O’Donnell informed meeting that the proposals submitted for Boyle, Roscommon and Ballaghaderreen were from private individuals and that with the exception of Ballaghaderreen, the others failed due to zoning issues, condition of site, flood area, etc.  However, he believed the site for Ballaghaderreen would not proceed due to lack of services in the town, the mixed zoning on the site, etc.  The Planning Section was asked to view applications for any impediments.

Cllr. Liam Callaghan said that he believed this development would not proceed at the site earmarked and called on Department of Housing to allocate a €3m fund to the town for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties in the centre of the town instead.  Members agreed that Councillors should be informed of future similar proposals in advance in order to liaise with Communities

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Liam Callaghan

SECONDED by Cllr. Tom Crosby

And AGREED that the Department of Housing be called on to allocate a €3m fund to the town for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties in the town centre.