MONTICELLO – A resolution approving sewer and water developer agreements tied to a proposed 19-unit townhouse project at 49 Fraser Avenue was adopted by the Village of Monticello Board during its Wednesday night meeting.

The resolution authorizes agreements requiring the project’s developer to fund infrastructure improvements associated with the development, including replacing aging sewer lines and contributing toward water system evaluation.

Village engineer Glenn Smith told the board that, under the sewer developer’s agreement, the applicant plans to replace approximately 1,200 feet of deteriorating sewer line along Fraser Avenue.

The existing clay pipe, described as being in poor condition, will be removed and replaced with a new 10-inch line designed to handle increased capacity from the development. The work is estimated to cost about $300,000.

“This is at no cost to the village,” Smith said, noting the developer will also be required to post a bond to ensure the work is completed to village standards before final acceptance.

While officials acknowledged the line is in need of replacement, the larger pipe size is being driven by the demands of the proposed project.

Trustee Gordon Jenkins said requiring developers to fund infrastructure improvements aligns with the village’s approach to managing growth.

“When people come [into the village], they have to pay … it’s business,” Jenkins said, referring to expectations that projects contribute to the systems they rely on.

In addition to sewer upgrades, the resolution includes a water developer’s agreement tied to broader efforts to assess and expand the village’s water capacity.

Smith said multiple projects, totaling more than 1,000 potential housing units, are currently pending due to limitations with the village’s well field. To address this, developers are being required to contribute to an escrow fund that will support groundwater testing.

Each developer is expected to contribute approximately $10,000 toward the study, which will help determine available water supply and what improvements may be needed to support future growth.

“We need water for these people,” Smith said, adding that projects cannot proceed without sufficient supply.

The Fraser Avenue project will also require existing properties along the affected sewer line to be reconnected to the new system once construction is complete, improving reliability for current residents.

Smith also cited of other similar sewer-reconnection-related work taking place in other areas of the village, including along Hillside Avenue on West Broadway.

The motion to approve the resolution was made by Trustee Theodore Hutchins and seconded by Trustee Gordon Jenkins, with the entire board voting in favor.