News and information for residents of Ashefield, Mullingar, Ireland
Hello all, you can use this direct link to contribute towards the upkeep of the estate: paypal.me/ashefield
Many thanks to everyone who contribute – we publish the accounts of Ashefield Residents Association every year and review them in the AGM. Your valuable contribution goes towards the upkeep of estate common areas that are the responsibility of the residents e.g. grass cutting and general maintenance.
Ashefield Residents Association AGM will be held on July 14th at 8pm via Zoom. We will post further details & agenda closer to the date. Also, many thanks to all that have contributed to this year’s common area upkeep fund so far. The amount is €20 per household. You can donate on this website via the secure Paypal link.
Thanks to all the residents who attended the 2013 AGM of Ashefield Resident’s Association. We also want to thank Cllr. Ken Glynn who also participated in this meeting and provided valuable input.
Joe Gettings, Chairperson of Ashefield Residents Association, chaired the meeting and shared a presentation outlining the agenda items as follows:
The points discussed at the meeting were as follows
Accounts summary 2013
The 2012 accounts were presented and all expenditure items were detailed [see the presentation for details] . Projected expenditure for 2013 was also discussed ( primarily grass cutting and upkeep of the estate common areas ). The main works carried out during 2012/2013 to date involved the maintenance of the green areas within the estate and replacement of missing signage.
It was agreed that the boundary wall adjacent to the apartments near the entrance of Ashefield requires attention. Through the Chair, the committee took an action to seek quotes from potential contractors for the repair of the blockwork and pier cappings for the wall only. It was noted that any proposed additional work inside or outside the boundary wall could not be undertaken as it would be the clear responsibility of the apartment owners or Westmeath County Council. It was also agreed that following a review of the quotes received by the committee, the contractor offering the best value would be selected to undertake the work.
Volunteers were identified to help collect this years contributions towards the upkeep of the common areas of the estate. A note regarding this year’s collection was distributed in the fortnight before the AGM and also posted on ashefield.com . In addition to this, Credit Union and Westmeath County Council grants have been applied for. It was noted that the €30 annual contribution / household in Ashefield is low compared to Petitswood Manor (€100), Lakepoint (€100), and Sherwood Park (€50).
It was agreed to retain the services of the existing contractor to the high quality and value of the work carried out.
No new nominations for the 2013 committee were received and the existing committee members were re-elected.
Joe Gettings (Chairperson)
David Conroy (Secretary)
John Scales (Treasurer)
Maria Colvert (Collection of contributions)
Martin Tourish (Collection of contributions)
Keith Nolan (Web admin)
Concerns regarding the green area adjacent to the C-Link road were discussed. In particular, it was pointed out it is unclear who has responsibility for this area. A number of potential uses for this area and immediate actions regarding grass cutting were outlined. Cllr. Ken Glynn offered to ask a representative from Westmeath County Council to meet him and committee members at the estate to assess this area.
Issues regarding the access lane between Ashefield and Abbeylands were raised. It was agreed that no action could be considered until the views of all residents in Ashefield regarding the lane access could be surveyed.
It was agreed that dog fouling is a growing problem in the estate. Dog owners must remove their pets’ waste from public places and dispose of it in a proper manner. Signage advertising the law regarding this is clearly displayed at the entrance of the estate. It was also noted that dog littering does not only have to be witnessed to be reported; dog owners that do not carry a litter bag/pooper scooper when walking dogs can be reported also.
The meeting attendees were thanked and the meeting was adjourned at 8.45pm.
Are you a dog owner? Due to the number of dog fouling instances in the estate, which are public health hazards, and loose/unmuzzled dogs, we’d like to bring the following information from Westmeath County Council’s control of animals webpage to your attention.
Dog owners responsibilities:
Licensing:
If you have a dog over 4 months old, you must have a licence for it and the person to whom the licence is issued must be over 16 years of age.
A dog licence may be purchased online or at any Post Office.
If you do not have a licence for your dog, you are liable to a €30.00 on-the-spot fine.
Failure to pay this fine can lead to a prosecution with a maximum fine of €1,270.00 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment if convicted.
Breeds of dog to which certain regulations apply under the Control of Dogs Act:
Link to Westmeath County Council’s control of dogs webpage
An Post’s dog licensing webpage
Ashefield Residents Association held their 2012 AGM on April 26th in The Newbury Hotel, Green Bridge, Mullingar.
1. Meeting Opening
The meeting was opened by Mr. Joe Gettings, Treasurer.
2. Accounts for 2011
The accounts for 2011 were presented by Treasurer Mr. Joe Gettings. (Full accounts available on www.ashefield.com.) These were unopposed and accepted.
3. Annual contribution for upkeep-of green areas
The residents contribution is currently €30 per house. It was pointed out that is the lowest in Mullingar. Other estate contributions range from €50 to €100. It was decided to leave the annual contribution at €30 per house.
4. Additional Remedial Works
The prospect of engaging in additional remedial works in the estate such as replacement of the house number street signs and repair to the estate walls near the Ashe Road entrance was discussed. As there is sufficient funds to complete the grass cutting for 2012, it was decided that these activities would be undertaken if estimated additional cost of this activity was collected in 2012.
5. New Constitution
The Treasurer, Joe Gettings presented a new constitution for discussion. However the quorum of 10 persons required to adopt the new constitution was not present. Therefore the discussion was suspended until a quorum could be convened. Full details of the constitution is available at www.ashefield.com.
6. Election of new committee
Mr Joe Gettings stepped down from the position as Treasurer. The election of the association officers for 2012 commenced.
7. Closing of meeting
The meeting was then closed
Ashefield Residents Association will hold their annual general meeting on Thursday 26 April, 2012 in The Newbury Hotel, Green Bridge, Mullingar at 8pm
Contributions from all residents in the estate are most welcome. The current list of items for discussion are:
Notice regarding this meeting is being distributed to all houses in the estate.
Dear Resident,
Thanks for your support in 2011 and we hope that you will be as supportive in the coming year.
This is your residents association and your opinion and voice counts. The main agenda items as listed are not the only topics that may be address in the forthcoming AGM. We invite suggestions for anything that you feel needs to be included in the agenda and any ideas that you might have to help improve the estate for all residents.
Ashefield has a website, e-mail address, Twitter account, and a Facebook page to help you keep up with to date and to contact us.
We encourage you to use these to stay in touch with both the residents association and residents. The committee comprises all unpaid volunteers – your neighbours, who are willing to spare some time.
Your contribution is very important. It falls back on us as a community to maintain and improve the common areas in the estate.
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.
We encourage you to contact us with your ideas, suggestions, and hope you can turn up to the AGM to meet other residents, give your opinion, and get involved.
Joe Gettings/Keith Nolan
Treasurer Ashefield Residents Association/website administrator
Details of the 2011 bank account transactions and balance summary for Ashefield Residents Association are as follows:
| Date | Lodged By | Source | Purpose | Withdrawn | Lodged |
| 17-May-11 | J.Gettings | 2011 Collection | €170.00 | ||
| J.Mc Donald (Grass cutting) | €180.00 | ||||
| 21-May-11 | J.Gettings | 2011 Collection | €235.00 | ||
| 31-May-11 | Credit Union | 2011 Grant | €200.00 | ||
| 10-Jun-11 | D.Conroy | 2011 Collection | €350.00 | ||
| 14-Jun-11 | J.Gettings | 2011 Collection | €60.00 | ||
| 17-Jun-11 | D.Conroy | 2011 Collection | €197.50 | ||
| 01-Jul-11 | M.Colvert | 2011 Collection | €380.00 | ||
| 06-Jul-11 | J.Mc Donald (Grass cutting) | €270.00 | |||
| 22-Jul-11 | J.Gettings | 2011 Collection | €50.00 | ||
| 30-Jul-11 | D. Conroy | 2011 Collection | €80.00 | ||
| 19-Aug-11 | W,meath CC | W,meath CC | €300.00 | ||
| 07-Sep-11 | J.Mc Donald (Grass cutting) | €360.00 | |||
| 05-Oct-11 | J.Mc Donald (Grass cutting) | €360.00 | |||
| 14-Dec-11 | C.U. dividend | €10.18 | |||
| 14-Dec-11 | Affil Fee C.U. | €0.90 | |||
| 14-Dec-11 | Donation C.U. | €1.00 | |||
| 30-Dec-11 | J.Mc Donald (Grass cutting) | €90.00 | |||
| Summary | |||||
| Total Collected & Lodged to Credit Union 2011 | €2,032.68 | ||||
| Credit Union Balance Brought Forward from 2010 | €1,564.91 | ||||
| Petty Cash Forward from 2010 | €120.00 | ||||
| Total Funds Collected 2011+ Brought Forward From 2010 |
€3,717.59 | ||||
| Total Withdrawn from Credit Union in 2011 | €1,261.90 | ||||
| Petty Cash Spent 2011 | €46.00 | ||||
| Credit Union Balance | €2,335.69 | ||||
| Petty Cash Balance | €74.00 | ||||
| Overall Balance | €2,409.69 | ||||
Do you watch RTÉ television and live in Ashefield? If so, we’re looking for help from people who rely on an antenna on their roof for their RTÉ television coverage – not a Sky dish or cable TV service.
We want to find out how good the coverage is within the estate and whether you are using an indoor or outdoor antenna.
Why?
RTÉ’s free to air digital terrestrial television (DTT) service is set to launch to 90% of population by October 31st 2010. This will eventually replace the analogue TV service.
DTT trials are ongoing and we are being served by the RTÉ transmitter on Cairn Hill in Longford.
However, we want to estimate how well we can receive it. A valuable indicator is how well the existing analogue TV is being received. If you happen to be a trial user of the DTT service, even better – please tell us how you are getting on.
Can you help? Please comment below and include an indication of whereabouts you are living in Ashefield.
It’s National Tree Week and Margaret has informed us that the residents association has received some young trees ready for planting and free of charge from Belvedere House and Gardens. The planting is planned to take place this weekend and volunteers would be greatly appreciated. A landscape gardener will be on hand to guide us.
A specific time and meet-up location will be confirmed soon. If you have a spare hour, why not email us or leave a comment below if you could give us a hand.
Over the last few weeks, contributions for the voluntary upkeep of the estate by the residents are being collected from houses towards the end of the estate. The bulk of the contributions goes towards the maintenance of the four green areas. However these contributions also help with buying petrol, weedkiller, bin bags & tags, and replacement capstones for public boundary walls where they are missing. We are planning a clean-up afternoon for the near future where all these items will be put to good use.
Sincere thanks to all those who have contributed so far. For those unable to contribute the yearly contribution of €30, all amounts and multiple installments are most appreciated. In addition to monetary contributions, offers to lend a hand and borrow tools are just as important.
Please do say Hi to two of your neighbours, Martin and Keith who will be dropping by. They are also collecting email addresses to help keep everyone updated too. Bearing in mind that not everyone has the same block of spare time to help with this, a quick email may be a faster way to assemble a cleanup team willing to help at possibly short notice.
