Resident asks Oglesby to extend water service to Watson Avenue lot; council seeks price

John Bellino, a resident who said he is building a home on Watson Avenue, urged the Oglesby City Council on Oct. 7 to decide whether the city will run a potable water main to his lot or require him to pay to bring water to the property.

Bellino told the council he discovered the lot has electrical, sewer and fiber but no accessible water line and that he first raised the issue with city staff about 18 months earlier. "We thought water was there. We look for water, couldn't find it," he said, asking the council to "draw a line in the sand" because he needs utilities run before winter.

Council members probed the lot’s development history, whether it was originally a residential parcel, and whether the city has an obligation under municipal code or prior development approvals. Commissioners noted the risk of creating a precedent if the city pays for a private extension; others pointed out that if the lot was originally developed residentially and the city failed to ensure utilities were installed, there may be a municipal responsibility to correct that oversight.

No formal action was taken. The council directed staff to verify historical zoning/development records, check whether a developer obligation exists, and return with cost estimates for a city-contracted extension and for the owner-contracted options. The resident referenced an informal estimate of roughly $5,000 for a private tap, but staff noted municipal work and boring under roadways can be more expensive.

Next steps: staff will report back with mapping, documented lot history and firm price estimates so the council can consider whether to authorize a city extension or require the property owner to finance the work.