Baskets at the Ready? Egg Hunts Begin This Weekend

The reasons that spring and Easter are associated with a bunny and eggs are ancient, but the thrill  kids get with hunting for and finding the eggs that crazy hare lays, chocolate or otherwise, are timeless.

And, once again, various groups in the City of Easton and the surrounding municipalities will be hosting egg hunts in the days leading up to Easter Sunday. The festivities are free, unless otherwise noted.

Baskets at the ready? Get set, go!

In Forks Township:
Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. Egg hunt and baby parade, open to all children up to 10 years of age. Prizes will be awarded in each age group. Bring baskets or bags to collect the eggs and treats. Sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Forks Township and Forks Township Parks and Recreation, a $2 donation is requested per child, to be used towards programs for needy children in the community. In case of rain, the event will be  held on Sunday, April 13. Forks Township Municipal Park, just off Zucksville Road, near the amphitheater. 610-252-0785

In Williams Township:
Saturday, April 12, at 1 p.m., at the Williams Township Fire Company Station, 2500 Morgan Hill Road, Williams Township. For questions or more information, call 610-252-7648.

In Tatamy:
Saturday, April 12, at 1 p.m. Open to all children up to sixth grade. Rain date is Sunday, April 13. At the ballfield in Braden Park, 164 Bushkill St. 610-252-7123

In the City of Easton:
Sunday, April 13, at 10 a.m. For children ages 3 to 5 and 6 to 8. Bring your camera as the Easter Bunny will make an appearance. To be held rain or shine. Cottingham Stadium, 12th and Northampton streets.610-250-6711.

In Palmer Township:
Friday, April 18, at 10 a.m. Best to arrive early, as the hunt begins promptly and the immense popularity of this event means traffic and parking can result in occasional delays. Prizes will be awarded by age group, plus a grand prize egg will be awarded as well. Free candy for participants will be distributed after the hunt too. Palmer Elementary School, 3050 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. (In the event of rain, the hunt will be held indoors at the Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road.) 610-253-7191

In Wilson Borough:
Friday, April 18, at 10 a.m. Mary Meuser Park, Northampton and 23rd streets, Wilson Borough. 610-258-6142

In the City of Easton:
Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to children based on age groups: 1 to 4 years, 5 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years, and 10 years and over. Other activities are planned as well. Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden St. 610-253-0792 or www.trinityeaston.org

Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m. Bring a basket. Sponsored by the College Hill Neighborhood Association. In Nevin Park, Lafayette Street and Taylor Avenue.

Do you know of any other egg hunts open to the public in the Easton area that we've missed? Tell us in the comments or email us to have them added to the list!

Easton, Area Municipalities Declare Snow Emergencies Ahead of Coming Storm

Residents along Ferry Street in Easton's West Ward shovel snow
after the last significant snow storm, about two weeks ago.

Update, Monday, March 3: All municipalities listed below have lifted declared snow emergencies due to the predicted storm failing to materialize.  Those parked in the City of Easton parking deck on South Third Street should move their vehicles as soon as possible to avoid incurring the regular parking fee.
***

Snow emergencies have been declared in the City of Easton and several surrounding municipalities ahead of yet another winter storm, which is likely to begin late Sunday afternoon and run through Monday. The National Weather Service predicted Saturday evening the latest storm will leave behind between 4 and 8 inches of snow.

In Easton, the snow emergency will run from 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 2 through 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4. Easton residents that live along snow emergency routes will be allowed to park for free in the city's parking deck on South Third Street beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Cars must be moved by 6 p.m. on Tuesday to avoid incurring fees.

Additionally, the city also issued a reminder that sidewalks need to be cleared within eight hours of the end of the snowfall and is also asking that residents dig out fire hydrants that may be located near their properties.

In Wilson Borough, a snow emergency will be in effect from 4 p.m. Sunday, March 2. The ban on parking along snow emergency routes will be in effect until further notice, the borough says.

In Palmer Township, residents are prohibited from parking along snow emergency routes beginning at 11 p.m. Sunday evening. The emergency declaration is set to last until noon on Tuesday. The township also expects trash and recycling pickups to be delayed by a day throughout the week as a result of the new snowfall.

In Tatamy Borough, parking will be prohibited along snow emergency routes beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The parking ban is to last until further notice.

In the borough of West Easton, parking will be prohibited along snow emergency routes beginning at 9 p.m. on Sunday and lasts until further notice.

In Stockertown borough, there is a snow emergency that runs from 3 p.m. Sunday through noon on Wednesday, March 5.

While most people don't seem enthused about having to clean up after what is at least the seventh significant snowfall of the winter, at least one neighborhood establishment has announced it will be holding a "snow party" for locals.

Pokeno will be the order of the day on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. at La Pazza Bar, 1251 Ferry St., and a "snow jam" dance party begins at 7 p.m.

"Come shake some flakes," bar co-owner Althea Ruffin invited on her Twitter feed Friday afternoon.

Be sure to check back on this page later, as more snow emergency declarations, closings and announcements, and updates in the Easton area will be added as they become available.  

Follow Easton Eccentric editor Christina Georgiou at @Eastonwordsmith on Twitter to receive new updates on the go.

Last updated on Monday, March 3 at 11:30 a.m.

Cleanup from Latest Snowfall Ongoing, Will Take Days to Clear

By Christina Georgiou

Residents shovel out cars on Ferry Street in Easton's West Ward
Thursday afternoon. Snowfall in excess of 12 inches, on top of previous
snow already on the ground, has left huge piles of snow all over the city,
which officials say workers will be working on removing well into next week.

The latest official snow emergency declaration ended this afternoon, but it will take days to clean up from the latest storm to hit the city and surrounding area, but workers will be working daily until the job is done--probably some time next week--Easton city officials say.

"I think the operation is going well," said Easton Public Works Director David Hopkins. "The crew has all of the streets passable at this point, at least all of the roadways that they were able to get through." 

Cars parked along streets that are not designated snow emergency routes make it harder for plows to do their job, but city officials realize that parking options are limited in some areas. They're also reminding residents that shoveled snow should not be thrown back into the street.

"Obviously on the side streets with on-street parking there is decreasing space to store snow; however, we still cannot have it thrown back into the street," Hopkins said.  "This is a real problem, especially with lower temperatures and re-freezing."

The city will be carting some of the snow away to clear more room, beginning Friday, he said.

"When we remove snow, we cannot dump it into the river so we store it at various locations throughout the city (where they can melt slowly)," Hopkins said. Snow will be moved to a parking lot along Lehigh Drive, the Hackett Park parking lot, Eddyside Park parking lot, and Heil parking lot, as well as other locations as city workers, aided by workers from private local firms contracted by the city, relocated small mountains of snow from city streets.


 

Snow Emergencies Declared in Easton Area Prior to Storm

A snowman seen in Wilson Borough. Another 6 to 10
inches of snow has been forecast for the area, with
the storm expected to begin tonight.

Snow emergencies have been declared in the City of Easton, along with several surrounding municipalities, in anticipation of significant snowfall expected to begin late Wednesday evening.

In the City of Easton, vehicles must be removed from snow emergency routes beginning at 10 p.m. Wednesday. The parking ban is scheduled to end at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 14.

Residents living along snow emergency routes may park in the city's parking deck on South Third St. free of charge, beginning at 5 p.m. today. Vehicles must be removed by 5 p.m. on Friday to avoid paying a parking fee.

Additionally, garbage and recycling pick up in the city is expected to be delayed by at least one day due to the storm, city officials have announced.

In Wilson Borough, a snow emergency has been declared beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The ban on street parking along designated routes is scheduled to last until Friday, February 14 at 2 p.m.

In West Easton, a snow emergency also starts at 8 p.m. and is set to last until 5 p.m. on Friday, February 14.

In Stockertown, the snow emergency will begin at 5 p.m. today and is set to last until noon on Saturday, February 15.

In Tatamy, snow emergency rules go into effect at 9 p.m. tonight. The ban on street parking on designated routes in the borough will last until streets are clear and town official lift it.

There will be a snow emergency in Williams Township starting at 9 p.m. this evening to last until 3:30 p.m. Friday, February 14.

Forks Township has declared a snow emergency to run from 10 p.m. tonight through 5 p.m. Friday, February 14.

Palmer Township has declared a snow emergency and issued a disaster emergency to begin at 6 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, lasting through 8 p.m. on Friday, February 14.

Additionally, LANTA bus service has been suspended for the entire day of Thursday, February 13.

Updated at 4:17 p.m.

Easton City Council Reorganizes for New Year

Roger Ruggles was elected vice
mayor of Easton's city council
Thursday evening.
File photo

By Christina Georgiou

Three Easton city council members were sworn in to office again, and the council chose a new vice mayor Thursday evening during the council's annual reorganization meeting.

Roger Ruggles, after being installed, was elected vice mayor of the city council, taking over the position from fellow council member Ken Brown.

Jim Edinger was sworn in for his
first official term on Easton City
Council Thursday evening.
File photo

Jim Edinger, who was appointed in July to fill a vacancy left by the departure of Mike Fleck, was sworn in for his first official term on the city council. Edinger, who defeated Republican Kim Yedlosky in the November general election, formerly served for 19 years on the city's zoning hearing board.

Sandra Vulcano, who, like Ruggles, ran unopposed in November, began her fourth term on Easton's city council upon being sworn in Thursday evening.

While the reorganization meeting is traditionally also the time when new city council committees are also chosen, the positions were skipped over for the moment, though the council is expected to make new committee appointments, including the choosing of chairs to head each of the groups at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, January 8.

'Tis the Season to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Christmas tree recycling is a little bit
different in each municipality in the
Easton area, but one thing everyone
pretty much agrees on is that trees
must be stripped of lights, ornaments,
and tinsel strands before being
recycled, as those objects
can damage chipping equipment,
paid for with your tax dollars!

Like it or not, the new year generally means the end of holiday decorations. The green thing to do with your formerly live evergreen is to keep it out of the landfill and return it to the Earth in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Here's how to do just that in the Easton area.

In the City of Easton

Beginning next week, trees should be placed curbside in the same area used for garbage pickup with all decorations and strands completely removed. Trees may be wrapped in plastic bags; however, trees bound by strings or rope will not be accepted as this may damage chipping equipment.

Trees will be picked up according to the following schedule:

• On College Hill on Monday, January 6 and 13
• From 10th Street east to Larry Holmes Drive on Tuesday, January 7 and 14
• In South Side, including The Highlands, on Wednesday, January 8 and 15
• From 10th Street west to 15th Street, on Thursday, January 9 and 16

The city's public works department notes the collection schedule is subject to vary due to weather conditions.

Trees may also be dropped off at the City of Easton Recycling Center located at 500 Bushkill Drive between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

For questions or concerns, call city's public works department at 610-250-6680.

In Wilson Borough

Beginning Monday, January 6, residents may put trees out in the same area used for garbage pickup on their regular collection day. Borough public works employees will pick up the trees for chipping. For questions or concerns, call the borough at 610-258-6142

In Palmer Township

Christmas trees should be put out on your regular trash pick up day during the weeks of January 6, 13, and 24. Please remove tinsel, ornaments, and tree stands. Trees in plastic bags will not be collected.

In Forks Township

Residents may drop off Christmas trees in the marked designated area at the parking lot to the side of the township municipal building at 1606 Sullivan Trail any time through January 13 or at the township's public works facility located at 1051 Frost Hollow Road.

In Williams Township

Residents may bring Christmas trees to the recycling center at 2300 Morgan Hill Road and place them in the provided dumpster now through the middle of January. All ornaments, lights, tinsel and bags must be removed, as if any of these items are left on the trees, they get jammed in the shredder's blades, the township notes.

Snow Emergencies Declared in Easton Area

In anticipation of a significant snowfall headed for the Easton area, the City of Easton and Wilson Borough have announced that snow emergency rules will be in effect beginning this evening.

In the City of Easton, the snow emergency will run from 5 p.m. today, January 2 through 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, January 3.

In Wilson Borough, a snow emergency is set to begin at 6 p.m. today, January 2 through 3 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, January 3.

Vehicles parked along snow emergency routes must be moved and may not return until the emergency is lifted.  

Residents living along snow emergency routes in the City of Easton may park in the municipal parking garage on South Third Street free of charge beginning at 5 p.m. today. Those who take advantage of the free parking are required to have their vehicles out of the garage by 6 p.m. on Friday, January 3 or face parking charges.

For more information about the snow emergency in the City of Easton, call the public works department at 610-250-6683. A full list of snow emergency routes in the city is available here.

For questions in Wilson, call the borough office at 610-258-6142.

Additionally, Palmer Township has reportedly declared a snow emergency to run until 5 p.m. tomorrow, January 3.

In Williams Township, a snow emergency was declared beginning at 5 p.m. Township officials have not said when the designation is set to be lifted.

In West Easton, a snow emergency declaration is set to run until 3 p.m. tomorrow, January 3.

Updates regarding other Easton area municipalities' snow emergency status will be posted here as more information becomes available. 

Last updated at 8:20 p.m.

Recycling Pick-up Goes Weekly in City of Easton

A trash collection truck is seen making the rounds.
Easton Eccentric file photo

By Christina Georgiou

Forget about trying to remember if it's the right week to set recyclables out on the curb if you live in the City of Easton, as the contents of the blue cans will now be collected every week, beginning today.

The change comes with the start of the city's new trash hauling contracts, which began with the new year.

The change to a weekly recycling pick up schedule is designed to encourage residents to recycle more, which helps the city keep garbage disposal costs in check, Public Works Director David Hopkins said last year during his presentation of the new waste disposal contracts to city council. 

Beginning this year, trash hauling service in the city was broken down into basic components--collection and transportation, recycling, and landfill disposal. Splitting the components of the city's trash hauling into separate contracts allowed the city to cut a much better deal, saving about $1.2 million annually as a result, Hopkins noted.

Much of the savings will come from the city gaining revenue from recycled materials, Hopkins said.

"The will actually pay us for single-stream recycling for the first time," he said.

And, residents can see the benefit of that deal directly now too.

While Easton has been a participating municipality in the Recyclebank rewards program for a couple of years, the city will now offer a direct reward to those who are serviced by Raritan Valley Disposal, sign up for the Recyclebank program, and regularly recycle.

Once per calender year, after earning 1,000 points, customers are eligible to receive a credit for one month of trash and recycling fees.

Recyclebank points are also redeemable for a variety of offers from both local and national businesses and can be donated to some charitable causes as well.

Recycle cans are available for $5 at the city public works office on the fourth floor of Easton City Hall, 1 South Third St.

Recyclebank participants must have a bar code sticker on their city recycling can to be credited for redeemable points.

If you do not yet have a bar code sticker on your city recycling can, please contact the City of Easton Public Works Department at 610-250-6680 for more information.

For more information about Recyclebank or to sign up or to receive technical assistance, please call 888-727-2978 or visit www.recyclebank.com.

For a complete list of items that are recyclable in the City of Easton, click here and scroll about halfway down the page.

Three Honored by City for Decades on the Job

By Christina Georgiou

John Sproat, Ann Peake, and Tony Beck show off the clocks they received Wednesday evening in recognition of their
40th anniversaries as City of Easton employees.

Three City of Easton employees were recognized by city council Wednesday evening for dedication to their jobs over the course of four decades.

Ann Peake, John Sproat, and Tony Beck have each worked for the city for forty years.

Each was presented with a commemorative clock to mark the occasion.

"Since they all have a lot of time, we thought it was appropriate to give them a clock," Mayor Sal Panto said at the presentation.

While a number of city employees have been on the job for a long time, Peake, Sproat, and Beck are currently the longest serving, the mayor said.

"All of them have been actively employed, actively engaged, and they've been really, really good employees," Panto said.

Peake works in the city's financial department and answers incoming call to city hall, Sproat serves as supervisor for the wastewater collection bureau, and Beck is a supervisor in the city's wastewater plant.

The presentation of clocks is a first for the city, Panto said.

"We've never done this before," the mayor noted, adding that the city may make the gesture a tradition for such long-serving employees in the future.

The city's annual holiday and employee appreciation luncheon, where the service of other Easton employees will be noted, is next Friday, Panto said.

Easton 2014 Budget Passed Unanimously

By Christina Georgiou

The 2014 City of Easton budget was passed unanimously Wednesday evening, with no comment or discussion from city council.

The new budget holds property taxes at their current rate or 24.95 mills, but residents will pay more in Earned Income Tax (EIT) next year. A 0.2 percent increase in the EIT was passed by council members on November 13, raising the rate to 1.95 percent for residents. The EIT rate paid by those who work in Easton but do not reside in the city will remain at the current 1.75 percent rate.

A $110,000 shortfall in the budget will be rectified in January, city administrators said last month, suggesting that the money will likely be made up by not filling a currently vacant position on city staff and/or delaying hiring for a new position that is in the budget.

City administrators had previously attempted to fill the gap by proposing a $25 increase per unit in the annual residential licensing fee, but the move failed to get city council members' approval.

The 2014 budget calls for a general fund of about $32.27 million, an increase of approximately $700,000 over 2013.

Brooklyn Firm to Draft Easton's New Comprehensive Plan

By Christina Georgiou

Easton's new comprehensive plan, which affects not only
zoning, but lays out a vision for the future of the city
and its neighborhoods, will be drafted by the Brooklyn-based
planning and architecture firm Urban Matrix, Planning
Commission members unanimously agreed Wednesday evening.

Easton's new comprehensive plan is once again moving forward with the city's planning commission voting unanimously Wednesday evening in favor of contracting the undertaking to a Brooklyn-based architecture and planning company.

Urban Matrix Architecture and Planning PC beat out 13 other firms' proposals and will draft the city's new comprehensive plan for $160,000. The price includes not only the plan itself, but also an executive summary, and an interactive website outlining the plan when it's complete. The firm will also work with the city's engineers, Pennoni and Associates, said the city's Chief Planner Carl Manges.

Submitted proposals and bids ranged greatly, he noted, with the highest coming in at $630,000. The next highest was $200,000, he added.

The $160,000 cost of the work to be done by Urban Matrix will be borne by funding from the HUD Sustainable Communities Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Municipal Assistance Program, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, grants the city has already been approved for, though some of the funding is set to expire if it's not used by mid-2014. Some of the funding too is tied into the silk mill revitalization project, which also needs to move forward in order that those funds do not expire as well, Manges said.

The process of selecting Urban Matrix involved two rounds of interviews. Thirteen initial proposals were narrowed down to five, and then a steering committee comprised of city staff and planning commission members worked down to two finalists.

"It actually came down to two firms that we really liked, and I locked them in a room and told them to fight it out," Manges said, adding that the firm that was ultimately passed over occasionally subcontracts for Urban Matrix and that he'd have been happy to work with either of the two companies.

"They were really impressive, and I'm really excited to work with them," Manges said of Urban Matrix.

Planning Commission chairman Charles Elliott said he's confident the city's comprehensive plan rewrite is in good hands.

"I think it was our sense that Urban Matrix understood Easton more than the other firms did," he said. "They have an experience working with complex issues and a great attention to detail...I think they're going to give us an excellent product."

Representatives from Urban Matrix will attend at least four planning commission meetings next year and work closely with planning staff as the new comprehensive plan is drafted. Public input that has already been gathered from members of the community and selected stakeholders toward the project will be incorporated into the final product, and Urban Matrix will also be gathering more input from the public during the process, Manges said.

Planning commission member Ron Shipman praised Urban Matrix, noting that the firm was also engaged by the City of Allentown in May for its planning expertise, for their vision and attention to detail.

"I was really impressed that they worked on Battery Park City," he said. "I don't think that project is anything like this, but it's beautiful."

Planning Commission members Robert Sun and Dennis Lieb, along with Shipman, said that the new comprehensive plan needs to consider the needs of the whole of Easton equally and also consider the individual needs of the city's different neighborhoods. The propensity for crime, public transportation, and individual neighborhood characteristics are all factors that need to be considered as the new plan is drafted, they said.

Manges said Urban Matrix seems particularly receptive to the wants and needs of their clients, and that all the factors the commission deemed important could be worked into the new document.

"This is not going to be a cookie cutter comprehensive plan," he said.

Manges estimated the plan will be complete by December of 2014.

The city's comprehensive plan hasn't been updated since 1997, and though such documents are meant to typically cover a 20 year span, Easton's growth and numerous changes in the last 16 years have left the current plan outdated, city planners have previously said. The planning department has attempted to outline an updated vision for the city for the last several years, only have the project set back by more pressing issues.

Last year, a new push by the planning department to complete the new plan in-house was begun in earnest, and headway towards that goal was in fact made. However, the departure of city Planning Director Becky Bradley to head the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission  and chief planner Brian Gish leaving to pursue advanced academic goals this past summer left the department short of staff and resources to complete the task in time to take advantage of grant funding earmarked for the undertaking, city officials said.

Those wishing to participate in an online survey about Easton's future, the results of which are expected to be considered for the comprehensive plan rewrite, can do so by clicking here.

Updates on the progress of the comprehensive plan rewrite are also expected to be posted on the Easton Planning Department's Twitter account.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter Program Expands

The Center for Animal Health and Welfare has expanded its low-cost spay/neuter program, which allows City of Easton residents to get pets fixed for just $10.

The center started the program last year, but it was available only to South Side and West Ward residents.

Now, a grant from PetSmart Charities has allowed the center—working with the city and No Nonsense Neutering—to open the program to all city dog and cat owners.

To get a $10 voucher, visit the Easton Area Community Center at 901 Washington St. between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The voucher must be paid for in cash.

For more information about the program, call the center at at 610-252-7722 ext 8 or the Easton Weed and Seed office at 610-438-2680. Vouchers are good until December 2014.

City EIT Rate Hike Passes, Rental License Fee Increase Fails

By Christina Georgiou

A 0.2 percent increase in Easton Earned Income Tax (EIT) was passed unanimously by city council members Wednesday evening, raising the rate to 1.95 percent for residents. The EIT rate paid by those who work in Easton but do not reside in the city will remain at the current 1.75 percent rate.

A last-minute attempt to fill a $110,000 hole in the city's 2014 budget proposal by increasing the city's residential licensing fee by $25 per unit annually failed to get city council members' approval.

The shortfall cropped up after the council rejected a provision during a budget hearing Tuesday night that would have raised rates in the city's South Third Street parking garage from $2 to $3 per hour during summer months.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman suggested at Wednesday's meeting the hole could be filled by raising the residential licensing fee to $80 per rental unit, up from the current $55 rate.

The 2014 budget proposal calls for a $5 increase in the fee to $60, which the council said it agreed with, but members balked at the sharper rate increase.

"I just think it needs a lot more thought," said Mayor Sal Panto, who attended the meeting by phone. Panto is in Seattle, WA at the National League of Cities' annual conference.

Steckman said the increase would support more vigorous code enforcement and rental unit inspections.

"Although I support (that), and I want to support it, I think it will take months to implement it," Panto said. "So I have some reservations about putting this in place in 24 hours, but I do support the intent."

The city plans to hire one additional code enforcement officer next year to help with rental unit inspections. The budget proposal calls for the new position to be filled in April, but city officials said Tuesday evening that might be pushed back until June to help cover the shortfall after the parking rate increase failed to gain traction.

Easton Council member El Warner said the new proposed rate increase was too steep.

"We're talking about making this cost $80, a $25 increase," she said. "I'm just not ready to do this on 24 hours notice."

Steckman said raising the fee more than the budget originally called for would help the city recoup costs associated with city rental unit inspections and code enforcement, noting that Councilman Roger Ruggles had said he wished the fee was reflective of the expenses to the city to do so.

"What this gives to me is a vision for the future of where this may go. But...it may not be this, and this may not be where we go," Ruggles said.

"I think it may be what we all want to do, but not at this time," Vice-mayor Ken Brown said.

Panto suggested that "baby steps" towards a higher fee might be taken along with better enforcement through coordinating city departments to make sure rental units comply with health and safety ordinances.

Technology upgrades, which the city is working on implementing soon, would allow police to better communicate with the codes and health departments after situations such as drug raids, he suggested.

Steckman seemed frustrated the suggestion was rejected.

"I've done this in other communities," he said, adding that such rate hikes are "aimed at increasing rental property values."

The city administrator then suggested that city council could opt to leave the $110,000 shortfall in the proposed $32 million budget for now, and approve it as it stands at the next regular city council meeting. The administration would then further work on ways to eliminate it in the first quarter of 2014, in January.

He also suggested city council might reconsider the parking deck rate hike, saying that traffic in the municipal garage is mostly monthly pass holders during the week, and city visitors on weekends.

Panto said he favors finding other ways to cover the shortfall in January.

"I'm not on board with the increase Monday to Friday," he said.

The mayor suggested the bulk of the $110,000 could be made up through the elimination of a "long empty" city position through attrition.

"I'm not talking about a person, I'm talking about a position," he added.

City Finance Director Chris Heagele said he'll be working immediately to identify other places the shortfall might be made up, noting that eliminating the vacant position is a good place to start. With salary and benefits being the majority of the amount, he said it may be possible for him to identify other small cuts to cover the rest of the amount.

City EIT Increase Likely, But Parking Rate Hike Off the Table for 2014

By Christina Georgiou
 

Easton city council members rejected raising municipal
parking deck rates from $2 to $3 per hour during the peak
summer season in 2014 during a budget hearing
Tuesday evening. As a result, both curbside metered parking
and municipal garage fees are expected to remain the
same next year.

Easton's Earned Income Tax seems likely to be raised by two-tenths of a percent, to a total of 1.95 percent, for residents in 2014, but city council members roundly rejected the idea of raising parking fees in the municipal parking garage to $3 per hour during summer months at a budget hearing on Tuesday evening.

Those who work but do not live in Easton will continue to pay 1.75 percent as implemented by the council at the beginning of this year, city officials said.

The increase in city parking deck fees would have brought an estimated extra $160,000 to Easton's coffers next year, but council members said the hike isn't justifiable and would hit residents as well as visitors to the city's attractions.

City administrator Glenn Steckman said the increase is necessary to control traffic in the parking deck during peak times. The deck was recently been filled to capacity during the Easton Garlic Fest and last weekend during Bacon Fest II. As a result, it was shut down until spaces opened

Steckman also suggested some of the extra revenue from the increased rate might go towards paying for the construction of more parking in the future.

"I do understand the supply and demand issue...but I do have an issue with rates going up and down," said Councilman Jeff Warren. "I really believe there needs to be some consistency."

Councilwoman El Warner, who has opposed parking rate hikes in the past, said, "I'm actually not in favor of doing this at all."

Mayor Sal Panto, attending the meeting via phone due to his attendance at a national mayor's conference in Seattle, WA this week, said it would be good to have the revenue, but not at the expense of city residents.

"I think it's great to get $3 per hour from visitors and tourists from out of town, but we need to figure out a way that residents (can pay less)," he said. "I think we need to make it fair for our residents."

He added that he agreed Easton will need more parking in the future, but said, "I don't think the people going Downtown (in the summer) on a Thursday night should pay for a garage we might build next year."

Warren agreed, saying, "We don't want to--I don't want to say 'gouge'--but we don't want to stick it to them."

Easton Councilwoman Sandra Vulcano suggested that trolley service be offered during large city events to ferry visitors from lots and parking spaces further from the center of the city to solve overflow issues. The cost of the service might be borne by charging riders $1 each, and the shuttle could travel in a loop to make it convenient for all, she added.

After council members made it clear they wouldn't vote in favor of the parking garage seasonal rate increase, Steckman said adjustments would have to be made to make up for the $25,000.

"I can count as well as anyone," he said, referring to the majority of council that voiced objections. "We'll come back with a revised budget for you tomorrow."

Steckman said the necessary cuts might come from delaying the hiring of a new building codes enforcement officer to handle landlord licensing and rental inspections from April to June and axing the purchase of a paving melting pot for the public works department.

City administrators also recommended an increase in the city's residential rental license of $5 per year from $55 to $60, which would bring in an estimated extra $25,000 per year, and raising the real estate transfer tax from $125 to $140.

City finance director Chris Heagele, along with Steckman, recommended council vote to increase the city EIT by 0.2 percent at its regular meeting tonight, which is the amount the budget proposal is based on. Without it, the city faces a shortfall in excess of $1 million and severe cuts to services and city programs would be necessary, they warned.

"All the assumptions in here assume a 0.20 (percent) EIT and the rental license fee increase. Roughly every tenth of a percent is $400,000," Heagle said. "If we don't enact that ordinance, we would either need to raise revenue substantially or take an axe to the budget."

Panto reiterated that he recommends raising the EIT rate.

"It's either raise it by two-tenths of a percent or raise it more, because at this late date, we can't screw with the budget," the mayor said.

The council introduced three ordinances at its last meeting, knowing only one would be voted on, to give them latitude in the decision--an increase of one-tenth of a percent, one at two-tenths, and a third at three-tenths.

In the event the council decides against any increase, they could reject all three measures, and the EIT rate would remain unchanged.

However, that council will vote in favor of two-tenths of a percent increase as recommended by city administrators seems to be the most likely scenario at this point.

"I've never had a problem with (1.95 percent)," Warren said.

Updated to correct the amount of the current rental licensing annual fee.  It is $55, not $50 as the article originally stated.

2013 General Election Results for the Easton Area

The results of the general election held Tuesday are not yet official, but preliminary results and unofficial vote counts, with all polls reporting, are as follows for races pertinent to those in the greater Easton area.
(Winner names are bolded)

Easton City Council

District 1, four-year term                    
Roger Ruggles (D) uncontested                    
District 2, four-year term                    
Jim Edinger (D) - 402 votes           
Kim Yedlosky (R) - 138  votes                  
District 3 , four-year term                    
Sandra Alercia Vulcano (D) uncontested

Wilson Borough Mayor                    

Four-year term                    
David S. Perruso (D) uncontested                    

Wilson Borough Council

Ward 1, four-year term                    
Louis Starniri (R) uncontested                    
Ward 2, two four-year terms                    
Leonard Feinberg (R) uncontested
Ryan Woodring (D) uncontested
Ward 3, four-year term                    
David L. Jones (D) - 142 votes                     
John C. Lippincott (I) - 55 votes 
                    

Forks Township Supervisor                    

Two six-year terms
Robert H. Egolf (D/R) - 1,601 votes 
Erik J. Chuss (R) - 1,174 votes                  
Bonnie Nicholas (D) - 698 votes                                        
One two-year term
Edward M. Moore (R) - 1,152  votes                    
Blandine Mballa-Fankeu (D) - 609 votes    

Palmer Township Supervisor         

Two six-year terms
Jeffrey A. Young (D/R) - 2,191 votes 
K. Michael Mitchell (D) - 1,200 votes                  
Franklin W. Lambert (R) - 1,151 votes 

Williams Township  Supervisor               

Six-year term 
Raymond Abert  (D/R) uncontested                   

West Easton Mayor                 

One four-year term                    
Gerald W. Gross (D) uncontested
                    

West Easton Borough Council                    

Four four-year terms
Thomas Nodoline (D) - 90 votes                    
Daniel DePaul (D) - 88 votes                    
Louis Niko (D) - 81 votes                                      
Timothy L. Jones (D) - 76 votes                     
Tricia Mezzacappa (R) - 46 votes 

Glendon Borough Council                    

Two-year term                    
Donald Young (R) uncontested

Stockertown Mayor                    

Four-year term                    
Charles Davis (D) - 105 votes           
Eric Wenzelberger (R) -  66 votes 
                    

Stockertown Borough Council                    

Two-year term                    
Kathleen M. Zdonowski (R) - 75 votes   
Robin Davis (D) 70   
Three four-year terms                    
Carl A. Zito (D) - 86  votes   
Robin Davis (D) - 79 votes  
Rosemarie Wenzelberger (D) - 77 votes   
Kathleen M. Zdonowski (R) - 72  votes 
Paul J. Zaboy (R) - 65 votes   
Eric Wenzelberger (R) - 56 votes 

Stockertown Tax Collector

Concetta Marakovits (D) 112
Bernard Roy (R) 54
                    

Tatamy Mayor                

Four-year term                     
Anthony Jaskowiec (R) - 172 votes 
Ronald Fox (D) - 39 votes 
                

Tatamy Borough Council                     

Three four-year terms                    
John Nadolski Jr. (R) uncontested                    
Michael A. Racz (D) uncontested                
Robert J. Hayes Jr. (R) uncontested

Easton Area School District School Director

Region 1, four-year term                    
Baron Vanderburg (D) uncontested                    
Region 2 , two four-year terms             
Michelle Price (D/R) uncontested                
Robert Obey (D/R) uncontested                    
Region 3, two four-year terms                    
Dominick Buscemi (D/R) uncontested                    
Matt Monahon (D/R) uncontested
                    

Wilson Area School District School Director

Region 1, four-year term
Linda Ann Baskwell (D) - 128 votes                
Janis E. Krieger (R) - 117  votes                                     
Region 2, four-year terms                    
Scott R. Wamsley (D/R) uncontested                    
Tony Verenna (D/R) uncontested                    
Region 3, four-year term                    
Bill Wallace (D-R) - 709 votes                     
John Cusick (D-R) - 290 votes 
            

District Magistrate 03-2-05                                    

Six-year term                    
Antonia Grifo (D/R) uncontested
                    

District Magistrate 03-2-06                    

Six-year term                    
Daniel G. Corpora (D/R) uncontested                                 

Northampton County Executive                    

Four-year term                    
John Brown (R) - 18,277 votes       
John Callahan (D) - 16,808 votes 
                    

Northampton County Council                    

Five four-year terms
Peg Ferraro (R) - 19,256 votes 
Glenn Geissinger (R) - 17,105 votes 
Seth Vaughn (R) - 16,852 votes 
Hayden R. Phillips (R) - 15,667 votes 
Mathew Benol (R) - 15,162 votes 
Ronald R. Heckman (D) - 14,731 votes 
Deb Hunter (D) - 14,521 votes 
Gerald E. Seyfried (D) - 14,466 votes                  
Christen Borso (D) - 13,200  votes                                 
Tom O'Donnell (D) - 13,171 votes  s

Easton City Council Reviews Coming Year's Expenses

By Christina Georgiou

A pie chart illustrating Easton's 2014 proposed expense
uses.
Click on the image for a full size view.

Easton City Council members examined the expense side of the 2014 proposed city budget equation during a budget discussion--the second such session so far--Monday evening.

If the 2014 budget proposal is passed without changes, the Earned Income Tax (EIT) rate for residents will need to be raised by 2/10ths of a percent to help cover a shortfall of more than $1 million, bringing the total rate to 1.95 percent EIT, with 0.5 percent going to the school district. The EIT rate for those who work but do not live within city limits, first imposed this year, will remain unaffected by the possible change.

Three ordinances were introduced at last Wednesday's regular city council meeting to cover three possible EIT rate hike scenarios, 1.35, 1.45, and 1.55 percent, though only one will ultimately be passed by the council sometime next month, if council does not cut some expense items to avoid the increase. If council decides to cut expenses, none of the three will be passed, elected officials said.

Despite the projected shortfall, however, some line items in the city's 2014 budget proposal seem destined for increases. Next year's city budget calls for a general fund of about $32.27 million, an increase of approximately $700,000 from 2013.

The city plans to buy 50 more parking meters that take credit cards next year, along with "some other devices" for the city's parking system, said City Administrator Glenn Steckman, which will increase the line item for parking meter expenses to $137,654 next year from $76,960 budgeted for this year, an increase of $60,694.
Un-reimbursed overtime for the Easton Police Department is also expected to rise by $15,000 next year to $40,000 from a projected $25,000 this year. The increase is due to a increasing number of city events, officials said. Other overtime department members put in, such as for providing security for high-profile Lafayette College events, is reimbursed by the organization for which it is incurred, they added.

In the city's IT department, nearly $93,000 more will be spent in 2014 than was allotted for this year, with the bulk of the cost being new equipment and software related to upgrading the city computer system and installing an electronic payment system so people can pay bills and fines online.

Mayor Sal Panto said the upgrades are necessary, despite the associated costs, and expressed frustration the switchover has taken years, saying the changes are long overdue.

"Let's stop talking two to three years," he said of the total tech upgrade plan," Panto said. "Lets start talking one to two (years). I've been here six years, and we've been saying two to three years that whole time."

Some city technology costs are likely to decrease next year too, with the installation of a new phone system, said the city's IT director Frank Caruso, who estimated the annual savings will be about $21,000.

Easton currently uses Verizon as their phone provider, and this year's city phone bills will cost a total of about $86,000. City officials said the company has been "totally unresponsive" to inquiries about billing charges, which in a number of instances appear to be inflated and contain calls to "questionable" numbers, such as ones that seem to be disconnected or connect to perpetual busy signals.

"We're hoping to go over to a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system. We're almost there," Caruso said. "We're going to make the switch and move away from Verizon."

In the city's public works department, road repairs and maintenance is estimated to cost $110,000 for black top and other construction materials next year, up from $52,000 in the current year's budget.

Public Works Director David Hopkins attributed the steep rise to the number of city streets that will require maintenance, and state laws that require the city to add handicapped-accessible ramps at all crosswalks where road repaving is performed.

In the past, the city has relied on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to shoulder some road maintenance costs, but Easton should largely discontinue the practice, Hopkins said.

2014 projected revenue sources
Click on any image for a full-size view

"We need to wean ourselves off CDBG funding because only 40 percent of the city is eligible," he said.

An additional $23,000 will be spent on the city's trees next year too, bringing the total projected cost to maintain the urban forest program to $40,000 for the year.

Some of the city forester's resources will be used to assist homeowners who have trees that lie in or near public property, but most will go towards city-owned trees, Hopkins said.

"(The city owns) at least 3,500 trees, not including parks," he said.

A threat to the city's ash trees from the emerald ash borer, expected to be in the area within two years at most, means the city needs to be ready and proactive, Hopkins said. Saving the trees is not only prohibitively expensive, the remedy is far from being a sure thing and probably won't save the trees in the end anyway, he added.

"We're probably looking at the removal of the 90 or so ash trees we have along the streets," Hopkins said.

City council members asked few questions during the session, and it's unclear which, if any, members might favor budget cuts over an EIT rate hike.

A third 2014 budget session is set for Tuesday, November 12 at 6 p.m. in city council chambers. Discussion is expected to included planning and economic development expenses, salary-related issues, and city operational costs.

The current budget proposal includes a 3 percent salary increase for all city employees, including non-union employees and the mayor.

"I think there's about an hour to an hour and a half left on the budget to cover," Steckman told council members.

Easton City Council Mulls 2014 Budget, Considers EIT Hike

By Christina Georgiou

A pie chart illustrates sources of revenue and their proportions
for the 2014 City of Easton budget.
Click on the image for a full size view.

Easton city council members scrutinized the revenue side of the proposed 2014 city budget at its Tuesday night finance committee meeting, looking at various line items and discussing whether the estimates were accurate.

The council will introduce three ordinances at its regular meeting this evening, each with a different rate of Earned Income Tax (EIT) residents may pay to the municipality next year--1.35, 1.45, and 1.55 percent, though only one will ultimately be passed by the council sometime next month, Easton Mayor Sal Panto said. Currently, both residents and those that work but do not live in the city pay the same rate.

If the highest rate is passed, city residents will pay a total of 1.95 percent EIT, with 0.5 percent going to the school district. Commuters will continue to pay the same rate as this year under Panto's proposal.

Introducing all three possible rates will allow for flexibility while the 2014 budget undergoes adjustments while still allowing for the amount of time the ordinances need to be aired publicly before passage, the mayor said.

The city faces a shortfall in excess of $1 million, and raising the EIT, along with some city service fees is the best way to make up the difference, Panto has said. Other cost-saving  options include closing one or both of the city's pools, or shuttering one of the city fire department substations, the mayor has suggested, though he's said he's reluctant to do either.

As Chris Heagele, the city's finance director, presented estimated revenue line items Tuesday evening, some council members questioned whether some of the estimates were too conservative and wondered whether if city's Home Rule Charter requirement that the annual proposed budget be presented by October 1 hinders having the most accurate estimates to work with.

Councilman Roger Ruggles said he thinks a number of the revenue estimates were too low, and that actual funds taken in by the city by the end of the year would be higher. He particularly questioned whether EIT revenue from non-city residents, admissions taxes, and parking revenue wouldn't be more next year than is currently projected.

Heagele admitted that non-resident EIT revenue is likely to rise as more workers and their employers become aware of the tax, implemented earlier this year, and that admission tax revenue is also likely to increase with the increase in numbers of visitors to the newly expanded Crayola Experience.

"We feel we're going to get an even higher rate of collection next year," he said.

Some city parking revenue numbers were "trending low" due to the three months Crayola was closed for renovations, which affects the estimated parking revenue for 2014, Heagele said, but erring on the side of caution is safer than assuming the city will have more money next year.

Panto said he too favors a conservative approach to estimating what the city will likely take in next year.

Councilman Jeff Warren also supported being cautious about revenue estimates.

"I'm with the mayor that the conservative figures on this (is the way to go) because we don't have the numbers," he said.

Actual revenue figures from this year used to prepare the 2014 budget proposal was only available through August, due to the requirement it must be presented by October 1.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said changes to the proposal are likely as the process progress, however.

"This is a living, breathing document. It's going to change," he said. "This is our best estimate at any time."

Warren suggested that the requirement for the budget to be presented so early needs to change so more accurate revenue estimates can be generated.

"I believe we need to potentially revisit these dates (for the budget)," he said, noting that while the Home Rule Charter probably intended the early date to allow more time for public input, the requirement seems to be hampering the process.

A pie chart illustrating Easton's 2014 proposed expense
uses.
Click on the image for a full size view.

"It's hindering the ability for us to really see things," Warren said. "It's something we need to look at down the road."

Another budget discussion, this time looking at the expense side of the equation, is scheduled to take place in city council chambers this coming Monday, October 28, at 6 p.m. All the city department directors are expected to present their respective portions of the proposed budget at that time.

If necessary, an additional budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, November 12.


The 2014 budget proposal calls for a general fund of about $32.27 million, an increase of approximately $700,000 over 2013.

The city's Home Rule Charter requires the city council to pass a balanced budget by December 1.

Updated at 10:42 p.m. to correct the possible new EIT rates and the EIT rate paid to the school district.

City Leaf Collection Begins This Week

The City of Easton will begin leaf collection this week, beginning Monday, October 21, and continuing throughout the fall season.

There are three options for disposing of fallen leaves in the city:

• Leaves may be placed curbside for pickup according to the tentative schedule posted below. The public works department notes that this schedule may be altered due to unforeseen circumstances, including equipment malfunction, inclement weather, etc. The city will continue to collect leaves as far into the season as possible until its trucks must be changed over and prepared for snow removal.  Please note, the city’s machinery will be damaged by sticks, branches, grass clippings, and stones. Therefore, piles containing any of these materials will not be picked up.
• Leaf pick-up by appointment is available to all city residents. Leaves to be picked up by appointment must be collected in clear plastic bags. To arrange for pick-up, call 610-250-6680 or email publicworks@easton-pa.gov and leave an address where the leaves are to be picked-up by a city crew, with the goal of doing so within 72 hours of arrangements being made.
• Leaves may be dropped off at the city's recycling center at 500 Bushkill Drive on any Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Easton is also making clear plastic leaf bags available to city residents free of charge while supplies last. A limit of 5 bags per week per property may be picked up at the recycling center during the hours listed above or at City Hall, 1 South Third St., on the fourth floor from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This schedule is tentative and city crews may work in multiple wards on any given day, based on need, the Easton
Public Works Department noted.

More information can be obtained on the city's website at www.easton-pa.gov under the "Public Works" link or by calling the department directly at 610-250-6680.

Easton Gets Free Parking During Holiday Season Again

By Christina Georgiou

The City of Easton is offering free parking on weekends for
the holiday shopping season, beginning on Black Friday.

Those shopping or dining in Easton this coming holiday season will be greeted with the gift of free parking on selected days.

Fees will be waived on Friday, Nov. 29, Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1, as well as on the subsequent three Saturdays and Sundays in December for all metered parking, along with parking in the public lots on South Third Street, North Third and Fourth streets, and in the Joseph's, Perkins, and Church Street lot  locations.

City council voted in favor of a resolution Wednesday evening that provides for the fees to be waived. The custom of offering free parking on weekends during the holiday season is becoming somewhat of a tradition, with this being at least the third year in a row that fees will be waived.

Plan to Reward Recyclers with Free Month of Trash Pickup Takes Shape

By Christina Georgiou

A trash collection truck seen making the rounds recently
in Easton. The city hopes to raise recycling rates through
a program that will reward those who recycle with a free
month of trash pickup.

Those who regularly recycle in the City of Easton will be eligible for a credit equal to one month of trash hauling charges, starting next year, city officials confirmed Tuesday evening.

The city plans to become a Recyclebank "partner" and the credit will be issued to those who accrue enough points through the program, which Easton has participated in for the last two years or so, said Easton Public Works Director David Hopkins.

To be eligible for the credit, worth $33 per household or $22.80 for seniors (who pay a discounted trash rate), residents will have to sign up with Recyclebank. Hopkins suggested that the credit be offered in exchange for 750 points, which offers discounts and freebies in exchange for accrued points.

While many participants might earn more points, only one month's credit per year will be granted by the city, he said.

"For our residents, it's probably going to be the most valuable reward on the website," Hopkins said.

Some city council members suggested the level be raised, and that points accrued prior to implementing the trash bill rebate program not be eligible for the program.

Denise Diorio McVeigh, account manager for the company, said there's no way Recyclebank can track when points are accrued, so making points earned before the city's implementation of the credit for a month of trash hauling ineligible isn't possible.

"Our system isn't set up to do that," she said.

Hopkins noted that while many city council members have accrued more than 1,000 points annually in their accounts, the program doesn't take into account individual recycling amounts, but averages how much is recycled in a given area and awards points based on those numbers. Therefore, those in  some neighborhoods regularly receive fewer points than others.

"We believe that's an amount anyone will be able to achieve," he said. "I felt we don't want to make it unattainable for some areas of the city. Some areas have more tonnage than others."

Residents don't have to have Internet access, however, to participate. Recyclebank allows participants to sign up and check their point status by phone, and rewards may also be downloaded to a smartphone app.

The credit for a free month of trash hauling will be able to be printed out and the coupon sent to the city with a trash bill payment, redeemed via a smartphone app, or participants can call Recyclebank and the company will arrange the credit with the city, Hopkins said.

He expects the new incentive will entice more residents to participate in the program too. Anyone with a unique address can participate.

Currently, there are about 8,000 households on the city's trash contract, Hopkins said. Of those, 4,200 have the RFID tags Recyclebank uses to track recycling rates, and about 1,300 are signed up for the recycling rewards program.

"We know we can improve on our (trash) diversion rate," he said. "Of those in the system, only 1,300 are signed up. If you're not registered, you're not earning points."

Under the new city trash contracts, which will go into effect at the beginning of 2014, solid waste will go to Chrin Landfill at a rate of $40.44 per ton, and Waste Management will accept, process, and market the city's collected recyclable materials, offering an 80 percent rebate to the city after processing costs of $100 per ton. The new deals are expected to save the city $1.2 million annually.

The city also hopes to garner more state grant money for its recycling efforts too, he said, noting that in past years, such money has paid for public works equipment, such as leaf blowers and construction of the city's recycling drop off center.

Some council members asked whether Recyclebank would try to include more local businesses in the program and said many of the rewards aren't offered locally or aren't very useful to them. About 11 local businesses are listed as offering rewards through the Recyclebank program, though one is closed and another does not currently have any offers listed.

"I think that's the reason we have so many points," said Councilwoman El Warner, who said she has about 1,700 unredeemed points.

She added that she'd like to see rewards from more local Downtown restaurants.

"We recently signed on The Crayola Experience," said McVeigh. "We're continuously trying to work on our rewards partners."

Councilman Roger Ruggles asked if Recyclebank would consider finding partners that would allow residents to donate points to local non-profit organizations working to better the community.

"Is there any way we could donate our points to a community organization, like the Easton Area Community Center food program?" he asked.

McVeigh said that while Recyclebank did once have such a program, it was underused by participants and cumbersome to maintain.

Ruggles suggested points might be donated through local supermarkets, which could then offer food or credit to purchase food to local programs.

"Some of the issues around supermarkets is they're low (profit) margin," McVeigh said.

She suggested those wishing to donate to local organization might redeem points for things like a half gallon of orange juice and then donate the goods directly.

McVeigh also suggested local schools apply to Recyclebank's "Green Schools' program and residents could donate their points to that. Schools that participate in an approved environmental project can receive up to $2,500 toward their effort when Recyclebank participants donate their points to them.

Hopkins said an advantage of the Recyclebank website is the education it offers on the benefits of recycling, and having more participants in the city will mean more residents reading that material.

"Our hope is that we see a surge in subscriptions," he said. "We're hoping more people will visit the website and absorb the educational stuff."

The city's solicitor is working out details of the contract between the city and Recyclebank for the city to offer a credit for a free month of trash pickup, Hopkins said, and it's hoped the city council will be able to approve it later this month.

"I'm confident we can get it on the agenda for October 22," he added.

For more about the Recyclebank rewards program or to sign up, visit the company's website at www.recyclebank.com