9Th MAY 2006 Trim Town Council

Comhairle Baile Atha Throim Trim Town Council Miontuairiscí / Meeting Minutes

9th MAY 2006 Trim Town Council

Minutes of May 2006 Monthly Meeting of Trim Town Council held on Tuesday 9th May 2006 in the Council Chamber, Mornington House, Trim at 8.00 p.m.

Members Present: Cllr G Reilly (Cathaoirleach), Cllrs Golden, Butler, O’Brien Griffith, McHugh, Peppard, McGivern and Cantwell.

Officials Present: Kevin Stewart, Town Manager Mark Farrell, Town Engineer Larry McEntee, Town Clerk Fergus Muldoon, Administrator Officer, Meath Co. Co.

The Cathaoirleach opened the meeting by welcoming the members, officials, the press and the public and called for a minutes silence to commemorate all people who died as a result of the troubles in Northern Ireland, in accordance with the motion agreed at the April 2006 meeting – A minute silence was observed.

1. Confirmation of March 2006 Monthly meeting held on 14 March 2006. Cllr. Golden asked that the minutes be amended to record that in relation to the debate on the Meath Show Case, in replying to Cllr. Peppard, he said that he was not going to apologise, as he had nothing to apologise for and the fact was that the Chamber of Commerce did not attend the showcase.

The minutes were then adopted on the proposal of Cllr. McHugh, seconded by Cllr. Golden.

2. Matters arising from the Minutes of April 2006 meeting. Cllr. Butler requested that the Town Clerk review procedures relating to a planning application in Pinebrook – particularly the notification process to people who made submissions.

It was agreed to take Item no. 6 on the agenda at this time.

6. To receive preliminary presentation on a proposed Trim Town Boundary Extension by Mr. Fergus Muldoom, Meath Co. Co.

The Manager introduced Mr. Muldoon and gave a brief on his role and the scope of his work. Mr. Muldoon confirmed that he had commenced work on the proposed boundary extension of Trim. He briefed the members on (1) The legal background to boundary extensions (2) Population trends inside the Trim boundary and the greater Trim environs (3) Procedure relating to a boundary extension and time frames, where set out..

Mr. Muldoon answered questions relating to (a) Time frame for initial report – 4/5 months (b) Meath County Council’s role and obligations (c) Differences between 1996 and 2001 Acts (d) If Meath County Council refuse can Trim Town Council proceed further? – yes (e) Will boundary for election purposes change? Yes (f) Use of 2002 census figures – Mr. Muldoon stated that he would be relying more on the data received from the Forward Planning Department and the Development Plan than the 2002 census. (g) Water charges, rates (increase / decrease), Co. Co. elections, costs increase to Trim Town Council (will correspond with increase in rates base/income)

0cea4ce537e9bfc1fafb6f3445309372.doc Page 1 of 5

Trim Town Council, Trim Civic Offices, Mornington House, Summerhill Road, Trim, County Meath Telephone: 046 9431238, Fax: 046 9431120, Email: [email protected] Comhairle Baile Atha Throim Trim Town Council Miontuairiscí / Meeting Minutes

(h) Can those in housing estates who could not vote in the last local Trim Town Council elections make submissions? Yes (i) Is it proposed to increase the number of members to correspond with boundary increase? Not at present as the relevant part of the 2001 Act has not yet been implemented.

The Cathaoirleach and Manager thanked Mr. Muldoon for his presentation and looked forward to seeing the initial report.

3. Correspondence. (a) Letters of support be issued on all Notice of Motion received – proposed by Cllr. O'Brien, seconded by Cllr. Peppard. (b) Cllr. Butler proposed that a special meeting be held initially between the members and the local general practitioners, in light of Dr. McEntee’s letter – seconded by Cllr. Golden.

4. Town Engineer report Cllr. Cantwell asked why there was a need to close Castle Street for the proposed works during the tourist season. The Town Engineer and the Town Clerk reported and stated that for Health and Safety reasons, value for money and so as to reduce the timeframe of works in the area. The Town Engineer gave the full background to the works explaining that it was for the upgrading of services to provide for the new Town Centre, the sports and recreation centre and the future development of the town. Cllrs Golden, O’Brien and McHugh spoke in favor of the course of action being taken and supported the Town Clerk and Town Engineer. Cllr. Golden stated that there was still buses coming up Loman Street – Town Engineer reported and stated that he would follow it up with Bus Eireann. Cllr. Butler referred to animal carcases in the River. Cllr. Reilly stated that such matters should be reported to the Department of Agriculture forthwith. It was stated that local fishermen were watchdogs on such matters. Cllr. Cantwell stated that there was a need to walk the river to spot check.

5. Schedule of Manager’s Orders Town Clerk explained that the circulation of Managers Orders was an omission on his behalf but will be available from the office, should anyone wish to obtain a list of same.

7. To receive update on paid parking The Area Engineer reported on the matter and problems arising from preparatory works, (a) Double yellow lines – Kildalkey Road (b) Parking Bays – Loman Street (c) Parking on Ballivor Road (d) Parking and traffic flow on Railway Rd (Kells Rd) and Athboy Rd.

A full discussion took place on these matters. The Town Clerk explained the need for a one way system on (a) Kells Road –(Two way from Ring Rd to and include the entrance to Tower View and one way from Tower View entrance leading into town) (b) Athboy Road – one way from Athboy Gate junction to junction at Whitehall heading out of Town and two way from and including Whitehall junction to Ring Road. The members were in agreement with this, Cllr. Peppard and Golden raised the matter of the Athboy Gate junction and the need for it to be designed so as to accommodate HGV’s servicing the local area.

The following alterations were unanimously agreed: (a) Kildalkey Rd – Double yellow lines on Pinebrook / Castle Abbey side. Parking bays on Avondale side for residential parking only. (b) Remove parking bays on Loman Street until such time as one way is introduced.

0cea4ce537e9bfc1fafb6f3445309372.doc Page 2 of 5

(c) Look at providing school bus set down near proposed new school at Diocesan Hall. (d) Double yellow lines on Ballivor Road on right hand side going out and parking bays on the left for residential parking only. (e) One way system on Kells Road and Athboy Road with residential parking only on one side.

8. To receive updates on roads and footpaths. Town engineer reported on preparatory work to date and those works which are imminent. Cllr. Golden asked why wires on poles at Town Hall and Market Street were not put underground. Town Engineer undertook to enquire and report back. Cllr. Peppard stated that P & T wires should be ducted underground. Town Engineer confirmed that all cabling currently visible will go underground. Cllr. Cantwell stated that we should provide broadband ducting on both sides of streets

9. To approve amenity grants – 2006 The Town Clerk stated that this was the first payment of two being paid, as agreed at the estimates - the second payment being performance based to reflect how well the associations kept their areas and those areas on the main roads allocated to them. The matter of grant levels reflect the size of areas to be maintained, particularly those on the Dublin Road the Town Clerk stated that he tried to reflect that without having huge variances and that 90% of the estates also has the opportunity to avail of Meath Co. Co. amenity grants, thereby maximising their funding. The amount payable to each residents association, as circulated, were approved on the proposal of the Cathaoirleach, seconded by Cllr, Griffith.

10. Matters raised with the consent of the Cathaoirleach.

Cllr. Cantwell. (1) Need to complete Patrick Street and underground cables. (2) Need for a median for traffic when turning right into the re-cycling centre on to the ring road. (3) Hotel Development, Castle Street – Cllr. Cantwell circulated documentation to the members, apparently about the transfer of the land to D. O’Brien Developments Ltd. and asked questions referring to same. The Manager replied stating that since he has no notice of this questions and as the matter was presently the subject of the High Court Case he would not and could not be expected to answer any matter raised on the subject. Cllr. McHugh enquired from Cllr. Cantwell if this had anything to do with him and his attempts to form a company called D O’Brien Construction Ltd. Cllr. Cantwell stated that he is the secretary and director of that company and stated “ I own the land on which the hotel is built.” When asked about the opening of the hotel he stated “ I will be inviting people to the hotel” He went on to say that “Cllr. O’Brien was the only one who could have stopped the hotel because they had taken out Dermot Kelly”. Cllr. Cantwell proceeded to raise the matter of charges for the retrieval old files for inspection, questioning the Town Clerk on the matters as to whether it was democratic. The Town Clerk stated that these charges were set out by Managers Order and applied uniformly to all. Cllr. Cantwell then asked about seeing the file relating to works presently ongoing on the Castle Grounds. The Town Clerk confirmed that under Section 136 of the Local Government Act there was a set procedure, to access files, as already notified to Cllr. Cantwell. Cllr. Cantwell continued to press the matter with the Town Clerk, raising his voice as he did so. The Town Clerk requested the Cllr. not to “raise his voice again” at him to which the councilor replied “you don’t look at me like that sunshine”. The Town Manager interjected stating that for months and months Cllr. Cantwell continues to disrupt the working of the Council, to harass and bully staff and that it must stop.

Cllr. Peppard Siting of speed limit signs close to Manorlands entrance needs to be reviewed as traffic leaving town are building up speed near the entrance as the limit signs are located too close to the entrance.

0cea4ce537e9bfc1fafb6f3445309372.doc Page 3 of 5

1.0 Cllr. McHugh (1) Thanked the Town Clerk for work being done to try and bring AMAI Animal Conference to Trim in 2007. The matter will be decided on 3rd June in Castlebar. We should continue to work in the meantime by writing to the executive of the AMAI who will be the decision-makers. We should also write to chairperson and vice chairperson and secretary of LAMA, inviting them to Trim with a view to getting the LAMA conference to Trim.

Cllr. Griffith. (1) Need for bus shelter at Bridge on Ring Road. Cllr. Golden added that a bus bay and shelter on Dublin road near Echo Gate would be of great benefit.

2.0 Cllr. O’Brien (1) Need for traffic calming / pedestrian crossing on Emmet Street (2) Stated that the workings of the Town Council and staff time was being taken up through a personal vendetta of one person, who hides behind everyone else and whose only interest is himself and not the people of the town whom he is elected to represent. He stated that Cllr. Cantwell was wrong in his statement that Cllr O’Brien was the only one who could have stopped the hotel. Cllr O’Brien stated that everyone, including Cllr Cantwell, could have made their submissions, but didn’t. He added that he (Cllr O’Brien) was, in fact, the only Trim person who made a submission. Cllr Cantwell stated that he did also. Cllr O’Brien replied and stated that Cllr Cantwell’s made his submission conveniently outside the valid period and it was, therefore, returned to him and when the opportunity arose some time later to submit a valid submission he didn’t do so. Cllr Cantwell asked the Town Clerk to verify if he had made a submission with €20 enclosed. The Town Clerk confirmed that he had and as it had been submitted when the file was suspended while awaiting further information, the submission was returned to Cllr Cantwell with the €20, at which stage he was advised that he could make a submission when the further information came in.

3.0 Cllr. Butler (1) He stated that “pooper scooper” vending machines, as are available in Dunlaoire and Bray should be considered for the Newtown, Lackanash Rd, Dublin Rd, walking route – Town Engineer to investigate. (2) Summerhill Road – footpath to Trim Celtic grounds, is it still planned – Town Engineer confirmed that it was. (3) Flooding of lands on Summerhill Road as a result of new road – should be followed up on. (4) Rubbish being dumped in dykes at Kilbride – report to county Litter Warden. (5) Former Cllr. Peter Crinion was home from Australia and complimented on how well the town looked. (6) Wished the proprietors of the Bon Bon Michael & Annette Curren well on their retirement.

4.0 Cllr. McGivern (1) Rents query from last meeting – Town Clerk stated that he did not get time to do it and would follow up on matter. (2) A lot of anti-social behavior going on in town and needs to be addressed.

0cea4ce537e9bfc1fafb6f3445309372.doc Page 4 of 5

5.0 Cllr. Golden (1) Bus lane at Bracetown, Clonee – refer to Dunshaughlin Area Manager. (2) Turn at Jack Quinns needs to be reviewed. (3) Autopoint roundabout – review in progress (4) Boyne community school – pedestrian crossing – asked Cllr. Cantwell and Reilly to pursue at Area Meeting (5) Closing off Church Lane (6) Some all year round planting at bottom of Mill Street.

6.0 Cllr. Reilly (1) Court House – Lights need to be repaired (2) Letter to issue wishing Jackie Maguire well on her promotion to County Manager in Leitrim.

. Signed: ______Date: ______

0cea4ce537e9bfc1fafb6f3445309372.doc Page 5 of 5

Trim Town Council, Trim Civic Offices, Mornington House, Summerhill Road, Trim, County Meath Telephone: 046 9431238, Fax: 046 9431120, Email: [email protected]