Minutes of the June Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 2nd June 2009 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare
Presiding
- Mayor P. Considine
Councillors present
- T. Brennan
- M. Coote Ryan
- J. Flynn
- T. Glynn
- T. Matthew
- F. Neylon
- J. Reidy
Officials present
- T. Coughlan, County Manager
- L. Cleary, Acting Town Manager
- E. Power, Town Clerk
- E. O'Dea, Town Engineer
- S. Ward, Senior Engineer
- S. Barrett, Staff Officer
Register
The Register of Orders by the Director of Service, Town Clerk and Town Engineer and the Planning Register were on the meeting table.
1. Adoption of the Minutes of the May Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held on Tuesday, 12th May 2009 at 3.30 p.m.
Ar moladh Cllr. F. Neylon, cuidithe ag Cllr. M. Coote Ryan agus glacadh leis:
"That the Minutes of the May Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 12th May 2009 be signed"
2. Adoption of the Litter Management Plan
E. Power, Town Clerk, reported that no submissions had been received and that he recommended approval of the Litter Management Plan.
Having considered the report of the Town Clerk it was proposed by Cllr T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr J. Reidy and agreed that the Litter Management Plan be adopted.
Cllr T. Glynn said that an audit of litter is required in the town and this was supported by Cllr T. Brennan who said the Watery Road and Clonroadbeg need to be looked at.
Cllr M. Coote Ryan stated that the entrance to Hawthorns needs attention.
Cllr J. Flynn said that the lack of usage of the recycling centre, because of the charges imposed, is one of the reasons for increased litter.
E. O'Dea, Town Engineer, pointed out that there is an Action Plan for Watery Road with Clare County Council.
Cllr F. Neylon said that a fence is required in an area of Dromard Estate, where the ownership of the land is in the name of the County Council.
3. Ennis Waste Water Treatment (Update).
S. Ward, Senior Engineer, stated that a new treatment plant in Clareabbey is the proposed solution at a cost of €60m, providing for a population of 50,000. The current systems can process the population equivalent of 23,000. The current solution is to upgrade the Clonroadmore plant to cater for a population of 31,000 and this should be completed by the end of 2010. The total capacity will then be 37,000.
It is also proposed to increase the population capacity of Clareabbey gradually to cater for any population increase of the town. The upgrade to Clonroadmore will cost approx. €2m.
A general discussion took place and T. Coughlan, County Manager, responded that seeking approval of the Department for a €60m scheme is difficult in the current economic climate. Therefore, it was decided to take an incremental approach. The first phase is to be the Clonroadmore plant upgrade. Clareabbey upgrade is the next step and the outfall is the final phase. There is some spare capacity in the current system. He stated that the report is positive.
Cllr T. Brennan wanted to know if previous planning applications that were turned down could be revisited, if they were resubmitted on a smaller scale.
T. Coughlan, County Manager, said that there is currently an oversupply of houses on the market.
4. Quarterly Progress Report
Ennis Water Treatment Project
S. Ward, Senior Engineer, said that water production started on the 2nd March 2009 from the new plant and that when there is sudden rainfall, there is very dirty, turpid water entering the treatment plant. The interim treatment plant had to be used on two occasions because of the heavy rainfall but it did not have to be used during the last period of heavy rainfall. The first 8-day commissioning period will commence on Monday the 8th or the 15th June 09. The next commissioning period is for 30 days. The EPA is carrying out an audit on Tuesday the 9th June. The water is free from all bacteria since the new plant began. There were two incidents of the aluminium level being exceeded. Once the commissioning period is complete, the partial boil notice can be examined with the HSE and it may be possible to remove it.
Cllr P. Considine welcomed the report.
Cllr D. O'Bearra questioned if the results of the tests would be published on the Internet.
S. Ward, Senior Engineer, said that this has been discussed but no decision has been made to date.
Cllr J. Reidy wanted to know if there was any timeframe from the HSE to remove the partial boil notice.
S. Ward, Senior Engineer, said the HSE receive daily results of tests but there is no timeframe.
Cllr J. Flynn wanted to know what would become of the interim treatment plant.
S. Ward, Senior Engineer, said that it costs approx. €65k - €70k per month. There is no decision made on it at this time.
Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park
Cllr T. Glynn welcomed the upgrading of the facilities at Lees Road.
E. O'Dea, Town Engineer, said that it is proposed to upgrade Tim Smyth Park only at this time.
Cllr T. Glynn said that speed limit signs are required on the Tulla Road from the bypass.
Cllr M. Coote Ryan said that a pedestrian crossing is required on the Circular Road.
E. O'Dea, Town Engineer, said that there is a proposal for one near the roundabout under Rapid funding.
5. To note the date for the 1st Annual Meeting of the newly elected Council
E. Power, Town Clerk, said that the 15th June would be the date for the first meeting of the new Council.
Cllr D. O'Bearra thanked the officials of the Council during his term as a Councillor.
Cllr J. Reidy thanked his fellow Councillors and the officials during his five years as a Councillor.
6. Any other business
Cllr. F. Neylon wished the students well in their exams.
T. Coughlan, County Manager, thanked the Mayor and offered Cllr Reidy and Cllr O'Bearra best wishes for the future.
The Elected Members passed a vote of sympathy to the family and relatives of the late:
- Mohammed Saidi, Bishopscourt, Ennis
- Jim O'Brien, Hermitage, Ennis
- Mrs O'Connell, The Crescent, Ennis
- Mrs Whelan, Lahinch Road, Ennis
- Irene Gleeson, Sixmilebridge
- Pascal Molloy, 18 Hermitage, Ennis
The meeting then concluded.