Author: resident

Updates – tree pruning, roadsweeper, and fly-tipping

Following initial tree-pruning work by Westmeath Co. Co., which focused on lower branches only, they have told us that the branches obstructing lights will be pruned before the end of February 2018.

A request for a roadsweeper to visit the estate to clear storm-related debris on the roads was passed to the council. Please let us know if you spot it in the coming days – if not, we will follow-up.

Yet another fly-tipping incident in the laneway connecting Ashefield and Abbeylands occurred. This was reported to the council who are investigating. If you happen to spot further incidents, the fastest method to report it to the council directly:

Many thanks to Cllr. Ken Glynn for his time and effort ensuring these issues are being addressed.

Tree pruning in the estate

One of the action items from our 2017 AGM was to ask Westmeath Co. Co. to prune the trees in the estate; particularly those that were blocking streetlights. This measure would help improve safety and security at night.

Now that it is tree pruning season, Ashefield has been scheduled for this work thanks to Cllr. Ken Glynn. Work is expected to commence within the coming days.

Dogs fouling, barking, and strays

We regularly get asked what can be done about dogs in the estate – either stray ones, barking dogs, or fouling the area. Here is some information that may be of help:

The Council operates a dog pound and it is located in Zone B, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 XE08.

Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10.00am – 12noon.
Contact number: 044 93 43934 / 044 93 32226

From Westmeath County Council’s website:

Dog owners have the following responsibilities:

Dog fouling, registration, and walking:

  • A person in charge of a dog must clean up when the dog fouls in a public place. Owners who fail to do so are liable to an ‘on-the-spot’ of €150
  • Keep their dog/s under control in a public place. If your dog has been seized by the dog warden there is a €100 fee to re-claim your dog and boarding fees/other fees may apply. Evidence of having a licence for your dog is also required.
  • Dogs must wear a collar and tag bearing the name and address of the owner. A fine of €100 can be imposed for non compliance.
  • Certain breeds of potentially dangerous dogs must be kept on a leash and muzzled and be controlled by a person over 16 years, who is capable of controlling the dog, when in a public place. An on-the-spot fine of €100 can be imposed for non compliance.
  • All dogs over four months must have a licence. A dog licence costs €20 and can be purchased at your local Post Office or on line at: www.westmeathcoco.ie/doglicences/

Dogs barking:
Citizen’s Information provide additional guidelines

  • Excessive dog barking that causes a nuisance is an offence. You may be able to solve such problems by talking to the dog owner.
  • If you don’t get a satisfactory response, you may complain to the District Court and seek a hearing. When you have received a court date, you must inform the dog owner of your complaint by using the form prescribed for this purpose under Section 25 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986. These forms are available from the District Courts and from local authorities.
  • However, if you prefer not to confront the owner, consider contacting the council dog warden for advice.

The residents association is planning on installing additional dog fouling notices in the estate to further increase awareness.

Reporting vacant houses and derelict sites

There are two main ways that you can report vacant and/or derelict houses in the estate.  Both of the websites linked below have an online form to report house details.

Westmeath County Council Derelict Sites  – link

The Act defines a Derelict Site as any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of

  • structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or
  • the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or structures, or
  • the presence, deposit or collection of litter, rubbish, debris or waste.

Under the Act, the Local Authority has to maintain a derelict sites register, make the register available for public inspection, serve a notice on the owner/occupier specifying works to be carried out to prevent or stop dereliction, acquire by agreement or compulsorily any derelict site, impose an annual levy on any derelict site in an urban area, based on 3% of its valuation.

Vacant Homes website – link

A dedicated Empty Homes Unit is being established within his Department’s Housing Delivery Office to drive and coordinate actions at central and local government levels and to support local authorities in their actions. All local authority Chief Executives were requested earlier this month to designate vacant homes officers in each of their authorities to examine Census 2016 and other data on vacant homes in their areas and identify, through a Vacant Homes Action Plan, priority “vacant hot-spot” areas and properties that can be quickly brought back into use.