Monterey Alderman Frustrated With Board Not Moving Forward With Sewer Loan

The Monterey Board of Aldermen will not move forward with a $1.25 million state loan to improve sewer in the town.

No alderman made a motion to proceed with the TDEC application. Alderman Amy Martin said the town would have benefited from the 13,000 feet of linear sewage line planned for the project.

“I was actually pretty frustrated at finding out that we could have the capability to run sewer to my area,” Martin said. “I represent Ward 1, and we have not had sewer out here.”

Martin said she abstained from making a motion due to a family connection involved in the initial application for the funding. However, Martin said she lobbied for the loan and wanted it used for Old Walton Road and East Commercial Avenue.

“A lot of other sections in town have had sewer over the years, but I don’t remember any sewer going out this direction, East Commercial area out to the boundary of town,” Martin said. “The state has earmarked $1,250,000 for sewer rehab for Monterey. It includes 13,000 linear feet of sewer, 50 man holes included in that and a pump station. The information was shared with a few on the board, and nothing was said or brought up about it.”

Martin said the first ward has been asking for sewer since the 60’s, but the area remains without the utility. Martin said the lack of connections has played a large role in housing not coming to the area.

“My home was built in 1954-1955, and we have a very small town, and all those years we have not had sewer,” Martin said. “I don’t know what the hold up has been. In 1961, we were promised sewer, and we’ve been promised sewer since that time.”

Martin said she still wants the promise fulfilled and will continue to work towards bringing more utilities to her district. The TDEC loan comes from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Monterey ranked 12th out of 33 municipalities on the priority list.