MINUTES OF JANUARY 09 MONTHLY MEETING

MINUTES OF JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING OF ATHY TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 21^st JANUARY 2009 AT 7.30 P.M. IN THE MUNICIPAL OFFICES, RATHSTEWART, ATHY, CO. KILDARE.

CATHAOIRLEACH:

COUNCILLOR JOHN LAWLER.

COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE:

SEAN CUNNANE, RICHARD DALY, MARY O’SULLIVAN,

AOIFE BRESLIN & MARK DALTON

APOLOGIES

COUNCILLOR PADDY WRIGHT

COUNCILLOR FRANK ENGLISH

COUNCILLOR TONY EGAN

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

JOE BOLAND, TOWN MANAGER/ DIRECTOR OF SERVICES

GEORGE WILLOUGHBY, SENIOR EXECUTIVE ENGINEER

BRIAN O’GORMAN, TOWN CLERK

DIARMUID DONOHUE, TOWN ENGINEER

THOMAS KELLY, STAFF OFFICER

1. Adoption of Minutes

Minutes of December Monthly Meeting held on the 17^th of December 2008.

On proposal of Councillor Breslin, Seconded by Councillor Cunnane

Minutes of Statutory Budget Meeting held on the 19^th of December 2008.

On proposal of Councillor Breslin, Seconded by Councillor Cunnane

2. Matters Arising

Statutory Budget Meeting

Councillor Breslin referred to page four and explained it was Councillor Dalton who was elected to the Differential Rents Scheme (Housing) Committee and not Councillor Daly as recorded in the minutes. This was noted by the members and amended accordingly.

Swimming Pool Liaison Committee

Councillor Daly said the members were very unhappy with the reply received from Kildare County Council to their request to have a meeting before Christmas. Councillor Daly said he hoped that future requests for meetings and queries would be given full consideration by Kildare County Council.

Councillor Breslin referred to recent media comments made by Kildare County Council in connection with the removal of the palisade fencing surrounding the new pool. The Councillor stated that it appeared to be disrespectful of the democratic wishes of the members.

The Cathaoirleach said such comments were very unhelpful and sent out a message that this Council does not listen to public concerns and that this was wrong.

The Town Manager replied that Kildare County Council’s Press Officer had the utmost respect for the members and community at all times. The Town Manager advised that the concerns of the members and residents have being noted and would be incorporated into the draft proposals for the fencing, which were being prepared by Kildare County Council.

The Town Manager noted that the next meeting of the Committee had been scheduled for Wednesday, 28^th January next.

R417 Ardreigh Road Realignment

The Cathaoirleach welcomed George Willoughby, Senior Executive Engineer from the Road Construction Department in Kildare County Council. Mr Willoughby gave an update on the Ardreigh Road Realignment to the members and this was noted by the members.

• The main drainage outfall works to the Barrow have been completed.
• Road project to be constructed in two contracts.
• The new road realignment will be approximately 750m in length.
• Contract No.1 started on Monday 12^th January 2009 and should be substantially completed by mid April 2009 with Clonmel Enterprises Ltd as main contractor.
• The scope of works on Contract No.1 consists of site clearance, earthworks, drainage, and ducting.
• Contract No.2 will consist of kerbing, footpaths (at Athy end), public lighting (at Athy end), blacktop, the balance of drainage and ducting, landscaping and tie ins from the new to the existing roads at either end of the project with traffic management in operation.
• Procurement for Contract No.2 still has to be carried out and it is estimated that civil works should be starting in May 2009 with substantial completion before the end of 2009.
• Funding from the Department for the future works still has to be confirmed but the feedback to date from the Department has been positive. (SG funding of €2,113,000 has now been approved by the Department for the year 2009).
• The Road Construction section of the Kildare County Council Transportation Department are supervising the civil works on both Contract No. 1 and 2.
• The existing services are being left in position on the old road and allowance will be made for future access to them.
• The completed project will aim to discourage illegal parking.
• The on site archaeology dig is now completed.
• The archaeological post excavation works are being carried out by a team of Archaeologists led by Ms Hilary Opie and employed by Kildare County Council.
• A substantial amount of human remains, finds and artefacts have been uncovered.
• The archaeological post excavation works should be substantially completed by the end of 2009 with the final report being issued by mid 2010.
• Since their excavation the human remains have been sent to an osteologist (human bone specialist) for analysis which should be substantially completed by the end of 2009.
• Re-interment of human remains is ultimately up to the discretion of the National Museum of Ireland, who treat each burial site on a case by case basis and on the results of the osteologist’s findings.
• It was confirmed that a new path will be constructed under this project on the left hand side travelling from the Athy direction.
• This new path will join up with a path now constructed by Athy Town Council and with a path to be constructed by the Kildare County Council Area Engineer on the left hand side from the Coneyboro Estate.
• Pedestrians walking from the Athy direction can use this path on the left hand side and cross over to the right hand side using a new uncontrolled crossing.
• Mr Willoughby assured members that pedestrian safety will be improved with the completion of this project.

Councillor Cunnane said he had previous motions before the Council asking for the footpath to be extended down to the Mill Lane and was disappointed this was not included in the plans. Councillor Cunnane enquired if the Road Construction Department were in communication with the Area Engineer on the issue of the footpath. Mr Willoughby confirmed that his Department were in contact with Area Engineer on this issue.

Councillor Cunnane expressed his frustration that the project was further delayed and the archaeology dig, which has been going on for four to five years, was quite costly.

The Senior Executive Engineer replied that expenditure to date on the archaeology dig was in the region of €3 million.

The Cathaoirleach enquired if some monies had being allocated to begin works. Mr Willoughby replied there was strong indication that funding would be approved by the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government.

The Town Manager noted that the Road Construction Department had put in an enormous amount of time and effort to the project and were anxious to get this job finished as soon as possible.

The Cathaoirleach thanked Mr. Willoughby for his update report on the Ardreigh Road Realignment.

3. Correspondence & Conferences

The Town Clerk read out the following correspondence:

· Report from Athy Town Council’s Arts Sub-Committee. This was noted by the members

· Letter from the Mayor of Grandvillier extending their good wishes and greetings to the Council for 2009 and advised that their Town Twinning Committee were looking forward to visiting Athy for the annual twinning in May. This was noted by the members.

Conferences

Scheduled of forthcoming Conferences and Seminars were already distributed to the members.

Councillor Dalton noted the AMAI Spring Conference was scheduled to take place on the 13^th & 14^th of February.

4. Notices of Motion

Councillors Dalton & English

5. “That an update be given on the proposed usage of the site of the former swimming pool.”

6. “That an additional public light be provided at the entrance to Shanrath housing estate.”

On the request of Councillor Dalton, the Cathaoirleach asked that motions 5 & 6 be deferred to February’s Monthly meeting All the members agreed.

7. “That improved signage and traffic calming be provided at Butler’s Lane.”

On the proposal of Councillor Dalton, Seconded by Councillor Breslin.

Councillor requested the Town Engineer to look at the possibility of putting in place some traffic calming measures at Butler’s Lane.

This motion had the support of the other members.

The Cathaoirleach asked that motions 8 (Cllr Breslin) &12 (Cllr Daly) be taken as a composite motion. All the members agreed.

8. “That Athy Town Council condemns the actions of Kildare County Council in introducing a €3 charge for the use of the Civic Amenity Centre and the reduction of the opening hours of the centre. Furthermore Athy Town Council calls on Kildare County Council to reverse both these decisions.”

On the proposal of Councillor Breslin, seconded by Councillor Daly

12. “That Athy Town Council calls for the reversal of the recently introduced charge for the recyclable material at Athy Civic Amenity Centre.”

On the proposal of Councillor Daly, seconded by Councillor Breslin.

Councillor Breslin said litter and illegal dumping is a serous problem in the town and both will escalate further with the introduction of a fee for recycling and with the shortening of opening hours in the Civic Amenity Site as it will not encourage the public to recycle or discourage them from dumping. Councillor Breslin said what is now required is a concerted Public Relations campaign by the Council to promote and encourage recycling at the Civic Amenity Site through the distribution of information leaflets and educational visits by our Community Wardens to the local schools.

Councillor Daly said that one can visit Portlaoise Civic Amenity Site where there is no fee to recycle but in Athy we charge the general public and this is totally counterproductive and does not make sense, as it will not encourage the public to recycle.

Councillor Dalton said the charge was part of a cost saving package introduced by Kildare County Council in their Budget for 2009. Councillor Dalton said he requested the County Manager to maintain the services in the Civic Amenity Site in Athy at the same level as previous years.

Councillor Cunnane said the Civic Amenity Site was being under utilised. and this was a shame.

Councillor O’ Sullivan said she was prepared to pay the €3 charge for recycling.

The Cathaoirleach said electrical goods are free to recycle and there is no excuse for anyone to illegally dump, and if any one is caught doing it they should be fined and the case pursued in the courts where necessary.

The Town Manager replied Kildare County Council were not alone in introducing charges for recycling as majority of Councils have done like wise. The Town Manager said he would consider the possibility of distributing information leaflets as one way of promoting the Civic Amenity Site.

Councillor Breslin

9. “That a full progress report be given in relation to the Southern Distributor Road and the Northern Distributor Corridor.”

On the proposal of Councillor Breslin, seconded by Councillor Dalton

Councillor Breslin said the members have not received recently a most up-to-date progress report on the SDR and NDR Routes. Councillor Breslin requested that a report be prepared and presented to the members as soon as possible. Councillor Breslin said she also understood that Kildare County Council were to come back to the members with a clear defined line on a map showing the outline of the NDR route. Councillor Breslin said this has not happened and was unacceptable.

Councillor Dalton said lot of work on the preliminary design of the NDR has already taken place and could not understand why no further progress has being made on this particular project. Councillor Dalton requested that any issues still outstanding on the NDR route be resolved quickly so that work can begin.

Councillor Daly said a public meeting about the overall traffic situation in Athy and the surrounding area and the proposed NDR route was organised by the IFA and held in the Clanard Hotel last week. Councillor Daly said it should have being the Council taking the lead on this issue and not another body.

Councillor Cunnane said he attended the meeting but was not in a position to answers any queries, if put to him, on the proposed NDR route as he did not have the most up-to-date relevant information. Councillor Cunnane said it is imperative and only correct that the members are regularly briefed and kept up-to date on the proposed routes.

The Town Manager said the members would in the future be given regular progress reports on the NDR and SDR routes and noted that the capital cost of the proposed schemes would be particularly high and that funding would be an issue.

10. “That in the future the agenda for the Council meetings includes the issuing of housing update report.”

On the proposal of Councillor Breslin, seconded by Councillor Daly

Councillor Breslin said she only became aware this week the Council had purchased a house and allocated it to a tenant. Councillor Breslin said the members were never informed of this and should have come before the members to be discussed. Councillor Breslin requested that regular housing update reports be presented to the members at future Council Monthly meetings.

The Cathaoirleach said it was always policy, in the case of housing schemes, that a meeting would have been arranged with the members and the HSE, where a full report offers for the scheme would be presented to the members.

The Town Manager advised the members that when housing schemes are being allocated, a meeting would be arranged. The Town Manager requested the housing report be issued every two months. The members agreed to this.

Councillor Daly

11. “That Athy Town Council expresses its opposition to the education cutbacks in our schools which will have a negative impact on our children’s education.”

On the proposal of Councillor Daly, seconded by Councillor Cunnane

Councillor Daly said the proposed cut backs in education spending will result in increases in class sizes and teachers who are absent not replaced and this would have a detrimental effect on our children education. Councillor Daly said it was also unfair that our children and the public service will pay the price for mismanagement of the economy.

Councillor Cunnane said the proposed cut backs in education will have long-term affects and the government must recognise that investment in education is a priority and seek to maintain services.

This motion had the support of the other members.

13. That Athy Town Council, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and other interested groups, establish a committee to exploit the potential offered by this year’s Ploughing Championship.”

On the proposal of Councillor Daly, seconded by Councillor Breslin.

Councillor Daly said the forthcoming Ploughing Championship in Athy is an opportune time for the Council and other local bodies to show case and promote Athy, as people will be coming here from all over Ireland and abroad.

Councillor Cunnane said presently Athy Chamber of Commerce meet with the Council every four months and requested that these meetings be held more often so that we can jointly promote Athy for the forthcoming Ploughing Championship.

The Cathaoirleach agreed and noted that this matter would be prioritised for discussion at the next meeting with the Chamber.

Councillor Wright

14. “The national concern regarding lead pipes system servicing houses throughout the country has been noted. As a precautionary measure, I propose that we, as a Council, investigate and have water tests carried out at locations in Upper & Lower St. Joseph’s Terrace and at Offaly Street and other places in the town.’’

15. “That we, as a Council, investigate if Iarnrod Eireann seek planning permission to have a pay parking business established on their property with a private company, as people who are clamped have to pay €125 to get their cars freed.”

16. “That we, as a Council, thank Athy Town Council staff for the great work carried out on their houses such as the windows, doors and gas installation. The people are very pleased with such works.”

The Cathaoirleach noted request from Councillor Wright, who was unable to attend, that motions 15, 16, & 17 be deferred until February’s monthly meeting. All the members agreed.

Councillor O’ Sullivan

17. “That Athy Town Council re-examine internal traffic relief measures.”

On the proposal of Councillor O’ Sullivan, seconded by Councillor Daly.

Councillor O’ Sullivan said changes made to the flow of traffic at Meeting Lane and Chapel Lane are a great success and is greatly welcomed. Councillor O’ Sullivan asked the Town Engineer to look at the possibility of implementing more traffic changes around the town.

Councillor Daly requested the Council to implement these changes as soon as possible.

Councillor Cunnane said the pedestrian crossing at the post office is causing considerable delay in the flow of traffic and that the pedestrian crossing planned for Nelson Street has never being put in place.

The Cathaoirleach said this motion would be referred to the next Joint Policing Committee meeting.

18. Cathaoirleach’s Business

· Kildare County Council’s future plans with the old swimming pool.

The Cathaoirleach requested that a meeting be arranged to discuss proposals for the existing swimming pool site.

· Differential Rent Scheme (Housing) review

The Town Clerk said a meeting to review the present Differential Rent Scheme (Housing) was scheduled for Thursday 29^th of January. This was noted by the members

19. Manager’s Business

· Pay Parking

The Town Manager advised the members that a review of the parking scheme within the town would be carried over the coming months.

He further noted that a ten minutes grace period was not in the current Parking Bye Laws. This was noted by the members.

Housing Rents

Dealt with under Cathaoirleach’s Business

20. Reports from Sub- Committees

Tidy Town Committee

The Cathaoirleach said that on behalf of the members he would like to compliment and thank the Tidy Town Committee for their hard work around the town. This had the support of all the members present.

Cemetery Committee

Councillor O’ Sullivan said she would like to commend and compliment the great work that the Cemetery Committee are undertaking. This had the support of all the members present.

RAPID

Councillor Daly advised that RAPID AIT had met before Christmas and were progressing a number of projects. The members noted this.

21. Planning Register

None

22. Other Business

The Cathaoirleach said on behalf of Athy Town Council he would like to offer condolences and deepest sympathy to the family of Gillian Dempsey who passed away recently. There was a minute’s silence.

The Cathaoirleach said the Standing Order & Protocol Committee has being set up to look at the possibility of moving Monthly Meetings to 6.30pm and a meeting of this Committee should take place soon.