richmondutah.org
RICHMOND — Things are changing in Richmond, as previously reported, a change that will affect other communities in Cache County as well – Logan city will no longer be the sole garbage collection provider in the county.
Richmond, along with Smithfield and Lewiston, has contracted with Econo Waste Inc to take over the garbage service as of the first of July.
Richmond Mayor Paul Erickson told Cache Valley Daily.com that the service should be a fairly smooth transition and continue on Fridays, as it has been with Logan’s services for the community.
Recycling will not be part of the service provided, as it has been with Logan’s regular pick-ups. Erickson said the vendors they got bids from required mandatory recycling, that is, every residential connection had to agree to sign-up and pay for it. So, he said, they presented that to their citizens.
“It did not come back positively, about 3 to 1 against mandatory recycling. So, I don’t think it was saying ‘no we’re not wanting to do recycling.’ I think it was more – we need to find a way to recycle that the residents will support without mandating that each of them pay $10 or $15 dollars a month. So, we are constantly looking at them, I have been in contact with Econo Waste, we are discussing it. I don’t see it being put in place for at least 12 months,” Erickson explained.
But he said the bottom line they received in feedback from residents was “recycling – yes, but mandatory – no”.
Other changes are coming to Richmond, including a new shopping option beginning this Wednesday.
“A big event for our community, Lee’s Marketplace opens at 10a.m. We’re very excited about that as a community to have a full-service grocery store,(we’re) looking forward to that.”
The store is just a little bit north of the main part of town, along U.S 91 on the west side of the highway.
Something else that Erickson is excited about is the Park Bench.
“Last November, we began a Senior Citizen’s Center called the Park Bench, and that has taken off really, really well. We have activities throughout the week, they meet on Thursdays for a meal and a program, the individuals that are a member of the Park Bench, and pretty much anyone in the community or even in the surrounding area, can pick up a fob for $5 dollars and get access for a small party and can come in and use the facilities. It’s been a very positive thing for our community and we’re looking forward to having that continue to develop.”
He said it is located in the city office and was formerly Park Elementary school for many years, from which it derives its name.
The Cache County School District gave them the building in 2018, and they’ve been continually improving it as money has become available.
They were recently awarded a grant from Rocky Mountain Power to improve part of it.