February 2021
City of Easton Municipal Enewsletter
Easton Pocket Parks Vision Plan
Last summer the City of Easton, along with our partners at Omnes and West Ward Community Initiative, invited residents to share their input on what should be done to improve 7 pocket parks in the city's South Side and West Ward neighborhoods. 

After collecting feedback from residents online and at several community events, Omnes compiled a report with proposed recommendations. Go here to review the report and share your feedback by posting a comment on the web site or by sending an email to hello@eastonpocketparks.com. 
Public Meetings
Each month the City of Easton holds several public meetings that residents, business owners, and the general public are invited to participate in. Due to the pandemic these meetings are taking place virtually via the Zoom platform.

To participate in a meeting, visit the Calendar of Events on the City Hall page of the official City of Easton web site. Click on the name of an event in the calendar grid to find an event description, Zoom link and call-in instructions, and meeting agenda. City Council Meetings are also live streamed on the city's web site HERE.
IT Department
AUTO-PAY BILL PAYMENTS
Save the cost of postage, a check, and an envelope, plus the uncertainty of your payment reaching us by the deadline, when you sign up for Auto-Pay for your utility and trash bill. Payments using checking and savings accounts are temporarily free from service fees. You can still save $1 per month per bill by opting in as a paperless, EBILL customer. Your bill will be available online for viewing and download.

You can also pay your 2021 Real Estate Bill online or by using the Integrated Voice System payment system. (For 2021 we are not accepting ACH Auto-Pay applications.)

ONE-TIME BILL PAYMENTS
You can make one-time payments online at www.eastonbillpay.com. Payments by checking and savings are temporarily free of service fees. A third option you can use is calling our Integrated Voice System by dialing 1-888-271-8989 to pay over the phone.

DON'T USE A THIRD-PARTY SERVICE FOR ONLINE BILL PAYMENT!
Some third-party sites not affiliated with the City market themselves as a payment center for the City of Easton. The only two valid companies affiliated with the City of Easton are Diversified Technology and City Hall Systems. You can confirm this by looking for the official City of Easton Seal (logo) on their website page. If you are unsure which web site to use to make an online payment, please contact the Finance Department at 610-250-6600.

CITY WEB SITE SEARCH FEATURE
The City's web site www.easton-pa.gov continues to evolve with new and better features. You can search for any document, message or news alert simply by typing your search criteria into the search button located at the top righthand side of the homepage (see image above).  
Department of Public Works
In last month's municipal enewsletter we told you about our "Back to Basics" recycling campaign for 2021 to encourage city residents to eliminate contamination in the recycling stream by only recycling the basics. Please focus on the following:
  • clean (rinsed) plastics #1 and #2
  • aluminum cans
  • glass beverage bottles
  • (dry) corrugated cardboard

Make sure that all containers are rinsed out. They don't need to be washed, but there should be no food residue in them. Do not place containers into the recycling bin that contain food or beverages! All containers need to be empty.

And if you collect your recyclables in a plastic bag inside your home, you must empty them from the bag directly into your recycling bin. Do NOT place plastic bags of any kind into your recycling bin. They are a contaminant and can't be recycled.
Parks & Recreation
Signup for 2021 rec league sports

Sign up deadlines:
- Spring Baseball: March 6
- Spring Softball: April 3
- Spring: Soccer: March 7
- Spring Lacrosse: April 15
- Fall Football: TBD
- Fall Cheering: TBD

(Registration for fall soccer will open after spring soccer signups conclude.)

Contact Eric Holden - eholden@easton-pa.gov or 610-250-6711 with questions.
Park pavilion rentals now available for 2021

Online registration is now available for City of Easton Pavilion Rentals at our parks.

Plan your spring or summer family picnic, birthday party, baby or bridal shower, or family reunion by booking a pavilion.
Department of Codes & Zoning
We have had quite the winter so far with multiple snow falls and more being predicted. It is important to remember that City Code 515-35 requires that snow is removed from sidewalks within 8 business hours after the snow stops falling, and that the snow is NOT to be placed in the street. 

Snowy and slippery sidewalks create a risk of falling for your neighbors, mail carrier, or package delivery person. It may also create a situation where emergency personnel cannot reach you or your neighbors when help is needed. Please be sure to have your sidewalks cleared for your safety and the safety of your neighbors.

If you want to talk to a Code Officer about a notice received, or if you have zoning or code-related questions, please call (610) 250-6724.
Easton Fire Department
Congratulations to Acting Fire Chief Henry Hennings on his recent promotion to Fire Chief!

He reminds residents to help our firefighters by clearing the snow from around the fire hydrants on their block.

The faster that firefighters can find and hook up their hoses to the nearest hydrant, the faster they can put out the fire. And also a reminder that it is illegal to park in front of a fire hydrant, so please don't do it!
Redevelopment Authority
The Redevelopment Authority now has a buildable lot at 697 Prospect Avenue upon which to construct an A.D.A.-compliant, single family residence. The staff is working with all stakeholders to plan a structure that fits into the neighborhood and is a welcome addition to the City of Easton. It has published a Request For Proposals for the construction of the new residential unit and expects to begin construction later this year.  
Urban Forestry
This spring the city's Urban Forestry Department will continue its project in Lower Hackett Park, as funded through a grant from PA DCNR and Lehigh Valley Greenways. It will install protective deer fencing around the demonstration micro-forest that was installed in May 2019. Tree tags will also be placed on plants and a few educational signs installed. Pathways will be re-installed along with some natural seating.

The department will also continue to oversee the removal of dead ash trees throughout the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, as well as tree of heaven, which is home to the spotted lanternfly.
Be in the know with EastonAlert

Sign up for the city's free alert system - EastonAlert - to be notified about things happening in our city.

  • Choose from 6 categories of notifications
  • Be notified by text, phone or email
  • Select from a variety of languages
  • Free to use
Support Easton Restaurants during #TheNewWeekend

Move over, Friday and Saturday nights — date night just got a new day of the week!

Easton Main Street Initiative has launched a new marketing campaign that encourages mid-week dining to support local restaurants as they work through months of staying open with reduced indoor dining capacities.
Easton Farmers' Market - Winter Edition

The Easton Farmers' Market Winter Edition happens every Saturday from 10 am - noon through April with 9 local vendors.

The Winter Market is located on Church Street, directly behind the Easton Public Market (NOT in Centre Square and NOT on Larry Holmes Drive. FYI)