Millrace Residents’

News
V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 3 A u g u s t / S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0

Special points 
of interest: 

• Know Your 
Neighbour Day 
Sunday, 22nd August 

• AGM Update 

• Millrace 
Neighbourhood  Millrace “Know Your Neighbour” Day—
Watch Scheme 
Sunday, 22nd August
We are having a Millrace “Know Your Hope to see you there!
Inside this Neighbour” social day on Sunday, August
22nd for all Millrace residents, adults and Can you help in any
issue: children alike.
way?
Know Your 1 Exact location to be confirmed but it will be
Neighbour Day held on one of the open green areas within Do you have any
the estate. experience in organising
AGM Update 1 fun events for children such
An afternoon of fun and food is planned with as face-painting, equipment
Bin shed codes plenty of activities for the kids. It’ll be a for games, for children big
2
great way to get out and meet your and small? Are you a BBQ King perhaps?
Luas Update neighbours.
Volunteers needed! If you can help out in the organisation
All you need to do is come along with a of the day in any way please contact us at:
Neighbourhood 3 blanket or chairs, a BBQ or sandwiches, a millracesaggart@gmail.com. 
Watch Scheme & few drinks—really whatever you fancy!
Home Security

Millrace Planting 4 Management Company AGM Report

Day & Saggart
Report on AGM held Thursday 
Spring Clean
20th May 2010 in the Heritage 
Centre, Saggart.  auditor cancelled his attendance at
This year the Saggarts Management
Company AGM was held in the
Saggart Village Heritage Centre.
Thanks to the key holders of the
Centre for providing us with the
venue for free.
The attendance at the AGM was low
with respect to the number of units
that are present in Millrace.
However, the participation and
engagement was excellent between
residents and those present from
the Managing Agents (O’Farrell
Property Management) and one of
the two directors of the
Management Company, Mr Seamus
Neville (Millrace developer).
The Residents’ Committee has been
lobbying for the attendance of Mr
Neville and the Auditor at the AGM
as we felt that in previous years,
progress/clarity could not be
found in relation to a number of
matters. Unfortunately, the
short notice. A motion went from
those present that in future, it
would be mandatory that an
Auditor be present and that OFPM
should seek to ensure good value
for money by annually procuring
quotes for audit services as well
as all other services in relation to
Millrace.
The most relevant issues arising
from the meeting were as follows:
Service fees: Concern was
expressed at the amount of fees
that have yet to be paid and the
number of Households in arrears.
A debt collector has been
employed to progress this issue
and the Managing Agent will be
sympathetic if Householders in
difficulty show willingness to
address their service debt.
Waste: Residents were encouraged
to recycle more and importantly to
recycle properly. The fees that we
all pay will reduce if Householders
use the Green bins, placing the
correct materials in them only.
Locks on the bin-sheds will be
changed before the end of the
summer.
Landscaping: The standard of the
landscaping was considered to be
very poor. OFPM is to get quotes
for new landscapers and to include
the Residents’ Committee in
deciding on the selection of new
service providers. The Residents’
Committee met with Therese on
30th June to outline areas for
planting and the areas in need of
care.
Road surfacing: Mr. Neville stated
that the Avenue would be tarmac’d
before the end of the year and that
a new temporary roundabout would
be installed at the junction of the
Avenue & Crescent.
 Page 2

AGM Report cont.d

Public lighting: The Residents’ Committee
have actively been pursuing Sabre Electrical
on a weekly basis and it was hoped the
lights would be operational shortly. This
finally happened on July 6th!
Parking: Many residents voiced concerns
over the potential health and safety hazard
of residents parking on both sides of the
Avenue and parking fully on areas in the
Crescent. This practice will have to stop.
Options to be looked at will include the
painting of yellow lines and the use of a Council to allow its placement.
clamping company. Planted containers may
Rathcoole Park/Swiftbrook Park: There was
be placed at key points in the estate to
no update available on this issue. It seems
discourage car owners from parking on the
that the residents in the estate are not
footpaths and blocking access for children
being consulted by the Council in relation to
and parents with buggies.
the direct access from Saggart Village/Mill
Signage in Millrace: It was suggested that Road through our grounds into the new
the estate needs a proper, permanent name park. The Residents’ Committee are to seek
plaque at the entrance to the estate. Mr a meeting with the Council to express our
Neville said he would cover the cost of such concerns. Issues to be resolved include
a plaque if the Residents could persuade the access and public liability cover. 

Bin Shed Codes

As you know locks and codes have been placed on the bin sheds this year. This
initiative by the Resident’s Committee has been very successful and waste charges in
Millrace will reduce by around 20% compared to 2009. This gives an opportunity to
clear the debt held by Saggart Management Company and additionally to put some
money into a sinking fund for painting and other capital items.

As of last month new codes have begun to be issued for the bin-sheds. We remind
parents not to give the codes to children as bin-sheds can be unhygienic and potentially
dangerous places for children to congregate.

Householders should ensure that they recycle correctly by only depositing paper and
plastics in the green bins. Please tear up and fold up cardboard boxes. Do not insert
glass or aluminium cans in the green bins. The nearest bottle and aluminium cans
bottle bank to the development are at the back of the Avoca store carpark in Rathcoole.

Get Money Back on Service Charges

We also remind residents that as part of Budget 2010 the Government will scrap the tax
relief on bin charges. This tax credit can be claimed retrospectively and amounts to
20% of the total bin charge to a maximum of €80 per year. Forms are available on
www.revenue.ie.

Luas Red Line Extension to Citywest

The long-awaited Citywest Extension to the Luas Red Line is finally nearing completion.

The Citywest extension will branch off from the existing Belgard stop and includes four additional stops: Fettercairn,
Cheeverstown, Citywest Campus, Fortunestown, before terminating at Saggart. A Park and Ride Facility will be located at the
Cheeverstown stop. Most residents will have noticed that work is well underway on the line in Citywest and the Saggart terminus
at the junction of Fortunestown Lane and Garter Lane, adjacent to Citywest Hotel. The extension will provide a much-needed
direct link to the city centre and is expected to be fully operational by 2011. For more information, check the Rail Procurement
Agency (RPA) website: http://www.rpa.ie/en/projects/luas_citywest/Pages/default.aspx

The RPA has recently published Update No.5 on the Luas Red Line Extension to Citywest:
In relation to Area 2 (N82 to Saggart) site clearance works, utility protection, boundary treatment, drainage, ducting and track
formation works are now complete in these areas. Works have also commenced across the junction at the entrance of Carrig Court
estate and track laying is expected to be complete in the coming weeks. Track laying is complete from the Fortunestown stop to
the end of the line at Saggart. The construction of the platforms at Fortunestown and Saggart and the adjacent electrical sub-
station are progressing well. Road markings, signing and lining will commence at the road junctions in the coming months.
Landscaping works will also commence in this area later in the year.
To sign up for Luas Construction Updates simply submit your details via: E-mail: info@rpa.ie Freephone: 1800 67 64 64
Freepost: PR Department, RPA, Parkgate Street, FREEPOST, Dublin 8.

Millrace Residents’ News

Volume 2, Issue 3 Page 3

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Thanks to the many residents who expressed an interest in joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Millrace, we are
delighted to announce that a Residents Information Evening will take place on 19th August in the Heritage Centre, Saggart
Village. Garda Frank Howe, Community Liaison Officer for Saggart/ Rathcoole, will lead the meeting and share his experience
of running similar schemes in other communities.
Neighbourhood Watch is a self help crime prevention and community safety programme for urban areas. Its aims are simple:
to reduce opportunity for crime by improving personal and home security, and fostering a community spirit where neighbours
look out for each other and report suspicious activities to the Gardai if necessary.

As a member of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, you can play a part in making Millrace a safer place to live. You will not
need to attend lots of meetings, nor will you be asked to take any risks, or confront anyone suspicious yourself! All you have
to do is be a good neighbour and don’t leave it to others to take responsibility.

What’s in it for you?

A wealth of practical information and advice is available to members who are interested in improving their personal safety and
security of their homes, vehicles and other property. All members will receive a comprehensive handbook which includes a
Home & Vehicle Security Survey, information about tackling anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, internet security etc.
You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions of Garda Howe and his colleagues about what you can do to make
your home and family safer.

What next?

1. Come to the meeting on August 19th; it’s the perfect way to prepare for the darker evenings of autumn and winter.
2. Meet your neighbours and agree to support a Millrace Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Listen to the advice from experts in crime prevention and play an active part in protecting your community. 

Practical Tips for Security

at your Front Door
Residents’
 

Stop  Meeting for

• Be on your guard when answering the door to a stranger. Don’t let anyone in Neighbourhood
until you are satisfied you know who they are and what they want. If
necessary, check their story. Watch
• ALWAYS keep the door locked while you use the phone, or ask them to call
later when you have someone else with you.
19th August, 8pm
• Don’t leave strangers by an open door.
• If you let anyone in – STAY with them at all times. Heritage Centre,
• DON’T part with money, documents or other things, whatever they say.
IF YOU ARE SUSPICIOUS, CALL THE POLICE Saggart Village
  (to left of church)
Think 
• DON’T let workmen do any jobs without getting more than one estimate.
• OFFICIAL ORGANISATIONS usually write before they call, have you had a letter?
• IN EMERGENCIES Officials may call without appointment. CHECK THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
• DON’T let anyone pressure you to let them in.
IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT

 
Go 
• ONLY let people in when you have done all the checks you can.
REMEMBER – YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST RATHCOOLE GARDA STATION
 
Main Line: 01 666 7900
 
24hr Line 01 458 9111
 Millrace Planting Day

Saggart Spring Clean

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and well done! 
We hope to see you all out again for another “guerilla gardening” session during the Autumn. 

Millrace Resident’s Committee: Working on your behalf as a liaison between all residents and the estate’s managing agent, O’Farrell Property 
Management (OFPM).  Our objective is to represent the views of residents on the major issues which affect Millrace and to encourage, support and drive for 
improvements which will benefit the estate as a whole.  

To contact us or subscribe to our newsletter please email millracesaggart@gmail.com