Councillor calls for a few drops of information

Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn has proposed that information be sought from the Minister for Environment regarding water charges.

In the motion at this week’s meeting of Shannon Area Councillors, he suggested the minister be asked what the proposed standing charge will be, whether or not a 50,000 gallon allowance will be given to the domestic customer before they are charged and what the proposed charge per metre cubed will be.

At this week’s meeting of Shannon Area Councillors, details were provided of the maintenance works being carried out by the council. Councillor Gerry Flynn put forward a motion asking that “the senior executive engineer outline the maintenance contract for Shannon concerning grass cutting, shrubbery and tree maintenance, weed control, road sweeping and so on and indicate the frequency and area covered by the contract”.

In his written reply, senior executive engineer Eugene O’Shea stated, “The contract for grass cutting operates fortnightly with a total of 15 cuts between March and October. This contract also incorporates twice yearly weed control around signposts, street lights and so on. Shrubbery and tree maintenance is generally carried out by experienced and competent contractors as required subject to available resources. Weed control on footpaths in the town is, subject to available staff resources, undertaken annually by direct labour. Roads in Shannon are swept by the council’s roadsweeper on a rota basis with other towns and villages in the area and as required.”

Councillor Flynn told the meeting he is very pleased with the work that has taken place to date.

“First and foremost, they have started with great gusto and I am very impressed with the contractors. They have done a very tidy job and have put a great effort in.”

He also said it would be important that weeds at the edges of roads and footpaths be kept under control, and said it would be important they be tackled at as an early a stage as possible. Councillor Flynn said this is something that the Tidy Town’s committee have brought to the attention of councillors and that it is something that judges pick up on.