• Master plan in the works

The Town of Alpine is preparing for an annexation project on the area between Broulims grocery store and the Flying Saddle Lodge on the south side of U.S. 89 at the entrance to the Snake River Canyon.

A work session and subsequent council meeting was held earlier in March on that topic and others as the community prepares for a busy spring construction and annexation period.

“We are excited about that, as this will include lodging tax for the community,” Mayor Eric Green explained in an interview the SVI Media Weekday Wake-Up program on KRSV 98.7 FM. “We have a good travel and tourism board to address this.”

The mayor noted, “They are already hooked up to our infrastructure,” making the annexation a good fit for the community.

The annexation process will be conducted through a public hearing and three reading process. The mayor anticipates completing the process by May.

Complimenting the annexation and tied in with future plans, there is an ongoing process for a master plan for Alpine.

The mayor reported that recent meetings on the annexation were held with consultants and a community steering committee was formed.

The process will include a website to keep the community informed and it will allow for interaction with the consultant.

The consultant will also have a display at the Alpine Mountain Days celebration in June.

In other news related to Alpine:

• Radio meters to assist with water billing will be installed with the assistance of a state grant.

The metering will allow for a more accurate monthly billing process. Previous billing was based on a prorated process.

The mayor explained billing will be based on actual usage and will help note any leaks in the system or excessive water use. The new system will be ready later in the spring.

• An Alpine Charter School website is being prepared by the community charter board, alpine.americanprep.org/

The site will assist the community’s charter board with an enrollment study.