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.

Car Break-In Reported

We’ve received a report that at approx. 2.40am on Tuesday 29 Aug, a car near the main entrance of the estate was broken into. Suspects were two young males wearing hoodies and shorts who also went from house to house checking other cars. The Gardai were notified.

Residents with CCTV footage in the area or who may have otherwise spotted suspicious activity early this morning are encouraged to contact Mullingar Gardai at 044 938 4000. Please continue to be vigilant and ensure no valuables are present or visible in your vehicles when parked.

2017 AGM Announcement

Dear Residents,

The 2017 Annual General Meeting of Ashefield Residents Association will be held in the Newbury Hotel, Green Bridge, Mullingar on Tue 01 Aug 2017 at 8:00 PM

Items for discussion include:

  • Presentation of the 2016 Accounts (available on this website ashefield.com)
  • Maintenance and remedial works in the coming year.
  • Security and vacant houses
  • Laneway between Ashefield and Abbeylands

We would welcome your attendance.

In addition to the AGM announcement:

Thanks for your support in 2016 and we hope that you can be as supportive this year.

Ashefield has a website, e-mail address, Twitter account, and a Facebook page to help you keep up to date and to contact us. We encourage you to use these to stay in touch with both the residents association and other residents. The committee comprises of unpaid volunteers – your neighbours, who are willing to spare some time.

With a view to continuing the work the Resident Association Committee Members will be circulating in the coming weeks. We are requesting a contribution of €20 per household (Unchanged from 2016).To make things easier we have also set up a PayPal account on this website www.ashefield.com into which your contribution may be paid.

Cutting the grass in the common area and other minor expenses cost approximately €1600 in 2016. (Accounts available on www.ashefield.com).

Your contribution is very important. It falls back on us as a community to maintain and improve the common areas such as the green areas within the estate. I am sure you will agree that the estate’s green areas provide both a valuable and relatively safe play area for the estate’s children and their friends.

We realise that time is precious so therefore we appreciate all and any help you can give. This can involve calling on Tesco to collect abandoned shopping trolleys or picking up litter in your area.

Burglary

Following a number of break-ins and attempted burglaries, please report any suspicious behavior immediately to Mullingar Gardai and consider reviewing your home security; simple things like ensuring your alarm is in working order and activated and ensuring no valuables are visible in your vehicle can make a difference. Additional tips can be found in previous posts or on Garda.ie

Tree pruning & vacant houses

Following up from a number of queries and concerns raised by residents, we appreciate the efforts of Cllr. Ken Glynn who raised them with Westmeath County Council. Thanks to Ken, we have some updates:

  1. Several trees in the estate blocking or reducing the light from the street lamps are now on Westmeath County Council’s list for inspection and pruning (if required) during the 2016/2017 pruning season. streetlight-tree
  2. Concerns regarding a number of vacant houses in the estate have been noted by Westmeath County Council who are following up with the owners. The issues were raised several months ago and you may have noticed works to clear debris and repair walls – these works were followed up by inspections from council staff. The residents association will continue to follow up regarding another house in the area. In the meantime, please note that vacant houses are being monitored and any reports of antisocial behavior/attempted illegal entry should be immediately reported to Mullingar Gardai (+353 44 93 8400)