Monterey Committee Votes To Close Six Alleyways

The town of Monterey will look at closing several alleyways in the near future.

Mayor Bill Wiggins said at least six alleys no longer serve a purpose for the city.

“They aren’t utilized by the town of Monterey,” Wiggins said. “Formerly, that’s where garbage was picked up, and now those functions are done on the main roads.”

The Monterey Street Committee voted Tuesday to close six alleys within the city limits. The recommendation will go before the board of mayor and aldermen next month.

Wiggins said the decision to close the alleyways will benefit both citizens and the town as a whole.

“We could turn that into taxable property,” Wiggins said. “Once an alley is closed, the property owners can come to the middle of that right-of-way…as long as they bare the expense of getting the survey done and getting their deeds adjusted. That would add to the value of their property.”

The committee declined to close two alleyways that run from Elm Street to Holly Street and between East Hoyt and East Cleveland Avenue. Wiggins said residents utilize the areas for access to their homes.

“They have chosen, as tradition, to build their garages to empty into the alley and some people just use them as a road,” Wiggins said. “Monterey is under no obligation to maintain those unless they become impassable.”

Wiggins said he doesn’t expect any backlash over the decision to close the alleys. The Monterey Board of Mayor and Aldermen will meet in regular session Monday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m.