By Nancy Heiner

RIVER HEIGHTS -- The county's increased garbage rates have caught up with River Heights.

In June 1998, Cache County increased its rates for garbage pick-up. River Heights neglected to pass the hike up to its residents, and only this September noticed it.

"Pretty nice of us," said Mayor Ralph Degn.

River Heights will no longer pick up the tab for the 455 homes in the city. The City Council voted Sept. 28 to raise garbage pickup rates from $6 to $7.15 on 60-gallon cans, and from $8.70 to $12.25 for 90-gallon cans. Rates will also increase for commercial dumpsters, such as the one used at the church.

The council also discussed providing a larger area of sewer service, possibly by installing a sewer line along 800 South St.

"It would ensure that land that isn't presently annexed in Providence can be annexed into River Heights," council member Noel Cooley said. "It has such a big impact on any future development south of 600 South."

The council discussed hooking onto one Providence's sewer lines instead of building a new one. Degn and Cooley reported on a meeting they had with Providence's mayor and city officials. They both felt the charges quoted by Providence officials were prohibitively high.

"It doesn't seem like they're willing to enter into interlocal agreements," Cooley said.

It's estimated that a new sewer line would cost the city $173,000, not including purchasing the rights to dig through private land.

Homes already existing around the proposed line would be required to discontinue use of septic systems and hook into the sewer line.

The council will vote on the sewer proposal Oct. 12.

In other business, the council heard from Thomas Fisher of the Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization, who outlined some possible projects to improve traffic flow in the Cache Valley over the next 10 years.

"I'm not here to sell any project," said Fisher. "The theory of regional planning is the group is trying to do what's best for the region."

Two of the proposed projects, extending the road on 200 or 300 South, would directly impact River Heights.

"It doesn't benefit us at all. It just puts more traffic through River Heights," council member Marilee Dalton said.

Fisher pointed out that River Heights is a bedroom community whose residents shop and work elsewhere.

"We have just as big an impact as Providence or Millville, proportionally," Cooley said.

The council also heard from Ron Miller and Mason Palmer of Bridger Landscaping, who discussed options for improvements of Hillside Park. That park has an adjacent parcel of land that has not been developed.

Cooley said that area not only looks bad, but promotes erosion as well. "It's certainly an area that's a blight," he said.

Miller and Palmer are researching the combination of retaining walls, irrigation and native plants that can best make use of the $18,000 budget the council has suggested. Miller said the improvements could be in by next summer.

Bridger Landscaping's formal estimate will be proposed at the council's next meeting.

Also at the meeting, Dalton resigned from the council after nearly four years of service. Dalton will marry in early October and move from River Heights. A successor will be picked in November's election, and no temporary replacement will be named.

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