There was a small select gathering for the Annual Community Development Association AGM which was held on Thursday November 12th 2009 in the Resource Centre.
The committee of Margaret McDonald, Chairperson & Treasurer, Kay Nolan, Secretary and Eric Firth & Mary Evans.
Margaret welcomed everyone. She congratulated Ballymore Person of the Year, Tommy Dwyer. Whilst there was no Punchestown Festival this year, a fancy dress party, sponsored By Elizabeth’s Hair Salon and an art competition took place during Festival week. A Raffle in aid of Tidy towns was held and indeed great praise was due to the Tidy Towns Committee for an overall increase in marks during this year’s competition. A Tiglin building was erected on the old library site and it provides storage and a changing room for the CES team.

The minutes were read and adopted. Chris Dennison praised the dedication of the Meals on Wheels team especially around providing a service to the late Jack Kaine. Indeed one of the volunteers sustained damage to their car due to the bad state of the roads in the Kilmalum area. There was no progress report available on the development of the Sewage Treatment Plant.
The Financial report was given and showed a turnover of almost 99,000 euro an overall loss almost 4,000 euro was sustained.

Eric gave a report on the Tidy Towns Committee activity during the year. There were many highs
Increase in overall marks
Show of trees and flowers at the Boat at the bridge, on the Naas Road, at the square and at the entrance to Hillcrest.
The wonderful display provided by the hanging baskets
New tubs at the Garda Station, the Square and on Oliver Plunkett Road.
Native species trees from KCC were planted on the Mountcashel Road.
Two Trail walks have been developed. A heritage and a nature walk. They are available for download from the TSAA website. Links will be published in the next Bugle.
The co-operation with the Scoil Mhuire Green Flag group.
The many clean up sessions which kept the village almost litter free.
There were not as many lows but,
The poor state of the river walk following damaged sustained during the Waste Water survey. This has yet to be rectified.
The flood water damage to the front end of the walk. Cova properties have re-instated the bank on the Park side, and hopefully KCC will repair the Assumpta Terrace side.
The non movement on the KTK Funds. Funds promised have not been forthcoming despite a lot of effort being made.
The continued vandalism of trees and beds and the damage to the wall of the bridge. The delay on repairs is due to KCC restrictions on the type of contractor.
The hopes for 2010 are,
That KCC will erect the street signs that were purchased by the CDA.
That a bottle bank will be established somewhere in the village.
That the wider community will put forward ideas for the TT Five Year Plan.
Eric concluded with thanks to a number of people,
To all the traders for their contributions and support.
To the CDA and the Ballymore Bugle for donations and continued support.
To KCC environment section for continued help.
Special thanks to Jimmy Pearse for his commitment, especially in the provision of the store changing area for the CES team. His unstinting help and organization.
To Martin Deegan without whom a lot of the activities carried out by the Tidy Towns Committee would just not happen.
To the committee
To the CES team who brave the elements week in, week out to carry out the great work.

Percy Donnelly reported that the Community Alert Scheme is “ticking over.” Local residents are urged to keep watch for suspicious activity or illegal dumping in their own area. A very active local group in the Dowdenstown area has thwarted a number of potential crimes.

Tim spoke about the Bugle’s activity in the past year. Sales remain steady with a bit of a dip in advertising revenue. Two donations of 1000 euro made to the Tidy Towns and the Senior Citizens Committees. The Bugle continues to organize the Ballymore People of the Year Awards for which Nominations will be limited to six and three have been received so far. The nominations will close on December 31st and an announcement about a new sponsor will be made shortly. The Awards will take place on February 6th 2010. Tim paid tribute to co-editor, the driving force and talent behind the Bugle, Rose Barrett O’Donoghue. He thanked everyone who helped with the folding each month.

There was no response to the call for members of the CDA Committee but the Chairperson would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in helping in any way.

Chris Dennison gave an update on planning matters. The KCC Development Plan for 2011 – 2015 is now in pre-draft stage and a close watch should be kept on delisting motions on particular buildings. The new plans for the Cova site at the Park were circulated for viewing. The sale of the Woolen Mill site, known as the factory, was discussed and Chris reiterated that a watch should be kept on development to preserve the buildings, the trees and the views. \Eric said that he had contacted the OPW and the Heritage Authority to voice the TT’s concerns around the various issues.

Garda Tom O’Donoughue addressed the meeting. He introduced himself and stressed that both himself and Garda Eamonn Whelan were attached to Ballymore Garda Station on a full time basis. Generally they are on duty each day for a minimum of eight hours. The best way of contacting either of the Garda is by ringing 045 864163. The phone is connected to a mobile in the patrol car, or in rare cases the Garda Station in Naas. He outlined the need for increased vigilance coming up to Christmas and urged people to ring the station if they had concerns of any sort no matter how trivial these may seem.
Garda Eamonn Whelan said there were some concerns about the continuance of the Garda Station in its current location. He wanted to reassure the community that there were no plans to move or close the station in the foreseeable future.

The meeting closed with refreshments and a chance for people to meet and greet.

TR