Easton City Council Grants Free Parking on Heritage Day

By Christina Georgiou

If you're going to attend Easton's 36th Annual Heritage Day, you don't have to worry about feeding a parking meter, since Easton City Council voted Wednesday evening to suspend metered parking enforcement in the Downtown district for the day.

A resolution introduced by Councilwoman El Warner calls for free curbside parking on Sunday, July 7.

Councilman Roger Ruggles initially worried free parking on Heritage Day would cause problems down the road.

"My concern is, if we suspend for this, what about other days, like the Garlic Festival?" he asked.

Warner said however, Heritage Day is a special circumstance, more so than other festivals held in the city.

"It's the city's festival. It's about our heritage," she said, adding that Heritage Day is Easton's largest, most widely attended festival of the year. "This is the first year we've enforced meters on Sundays, so this is the first year we've had to do this."

City administrator Glenn Steckman said he worried free parking on Heritage Day would "create an anticipation of free parking" and cause a bigger problem on a day when parking is already limited due to street closures.

But the council voted 6-0 in favor of the resolution. Councilwoman Sandra Vulcano was not present.

Warner said council may look at changing the city parking ordinance in the near future and switch July 4th for Heritage Day as a defined holiday when parking enforcement is not in effect.

That wasn't done this year because there wasn't enough time between realizing Sunday enforcement would affect Heritage Day and the event to enact an ordinance change, so a resolution was used to decree free parking for the day instead.

"Families that are enjoying their time won't have to worry about feeding the meters," Warner said. "The meters have a three hour time limit, but the festival doesn't have a three hour limit."

Also on the subject of parking, an executive order from Mayor Sal Panto issued on Tuesday, June 25, provides for meters to again be placed in the former Perkins parking lot.

Citing a need for additional parking during the summer months when "parking will be at a premium" and ongoing construction projects, the order allows for paid parking at the lot for ninety days.

The site is part of where the Easton's new city hall and transportation center will be built. Construction was originally announced to begin in April, but the date has since been reportedly pushed back to this coming autumn.

2013 City Budget, Proposed Solar Ordinance Slated for Adoption

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council is likely to adopt the proposed 2013 city budget this evening, along with an increase in parking rates and an extension of hours, after discussing the plan at their workshop meeting Tuesday evening.

Once again, the issues of parking and parking meters dominated the discussion.

City officials said they would be voting on the budget ordinance, and the related parking ordinance to support it, as it was introduced at their last regular meeting, on Nov. 28.

No further changes are anticipated to the plan to raise parking meter rates to $1 per hour and extend the hours of operation to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and add hours from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays at this time, the mayor and council members said.

While some council members have seemed opposed to the changes, all seemed likely to vote in favor of them.

"My understanding is that the budget only balances if we approve (parking) at $1," said Councilwoman El Warner.

City Administrator Glenn Steckmann said having metered parking in operation from  noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays is for the convenience of and to garner revenue from those visiting Crayola.

"That way they won't have to leave Crayola to feed the meters," he said.

Officials said they plan to distribute placards to Downtown church religious leaders that they can give to worshippers so they won't have to worry about getting a ticket while attending services.

"Our goal is not to have someone walk out of church to a ticket," Steckman said.

council members also discussed whether it might be a good idea to amend the proposed hours meters would be in effect in the evenings, but were uncertain if the move would require the ordinance to be readvertised. City solicitors were not present Tuesday evening.

"I think we're locked into whatever we've said all along," said Councilman Ken Brown.

"I'm willing to go to the $1, with 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. That's what last came out of this room and what people expect us to vote on. Any other changes, I think we'd need another budget ordinance," said Mayor Sal Panto. "It can alway be adjusted mid-year. The only thing it affects is a line item. We'd have to look for the money then."

"I'm done with discussing parking for the rest of my life," Warner said.

In other business, the council held a hearing to discuss enacting an ordinance that would regulate the placement of solar collectors in the city.

The proposed law is designed to spell out where and how they can be placed, and to preempt potential conflicts that could arise from collectors being blocked by future development, city officials say.

Council engaged in little discussion on the matter, and there were no comments from members of the public either.

The ordinance is set to be introduced formally in January. Officials noted that public hearings would be held again at that time to hear input from any interested members of the public.

They added that unless a matter of pressing importance comes up suddenly, the meeting tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 12, will be the last city council meeting of the year.

Public Airs Thoughts on Proposed Metered Parking Rate Hike

By Christina Georgiou

A number of members of the Easton business community, along with Easton City Council members, offered their thoughts on the possibility of city officials voting to raise the rate for metered parking rates and extending meters' hours of operation at the city council meeting Wednesday evening.

Several business owners spoke against the doubling of the rate, though none seemed as upset about the idea of going from the current 50 cents an hour to 75 cents.

Others felt running the meters until 9 p.m. was too much.

Anthony Marraccini, who is a board member of the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) as well as co-owner of Connexions gallery, said he feels that $1 per hour has the potential to drive away customers.

"I'm deeply concerned abou this proposal. The restaurant sector is doing well...the retail sector is struggling," Marraccini said. "I feel like we're missing the boat a bit with people doing what they're supposed to do...On my block, it's an issue of compliance. If I see half the people feeding the meter, that's a lot."

While some of the money from the proposed increase would go to pay for solar-powered smart meters, Easton officials have said the new revenue generated by increased rates and extended times will support GEDP and its Main Street Initiative and Amabassadors--both programs many cite as being vital to the city's continued growth as a destination and attraction.

Easton Business Association president Curt Ehly said the move would likely be a damper on  these goals.

"We're kind of at a tipping point, and this could tip things the other way," Ehly said. "We're not Bethlehem. It's going in a Bethlehem direction, but we're not Bethlehem."

Ehly also worried increased revenue would go to paying for increased sewer costs more than the GEDP programs.

"I would like to see the sewer rate increases passed on to us (instead)," he said.

Easton School of Rock owner Ray Thierrin said he worried what extending metered parking hours into the evenings would do to his business, which is largely composed of underage students driven to evening lessons by their parents who often wait for their kids rather than drive back home.

"It will hurt if people have to pay an extra $2 just to enjoy our lobby," Thierrin said.

He added that he's willing to help find a way to help them around that.

"The reason we're in Easton is because of the Main Street program," Thierrin said. "Part of the attraction is what's going on. If there's a way the businesses can help with parking, I'm all for it."

While his business is service-oriented and doesn't have evening hours, American Printing owner Fran Pinter expressed concerns at the proposed new hours.

"I think the hours are wrong," Pinter said. "I really think you need to evaluate whether 9 in the evening is the right thing...You're going to piss off more people. I think we could easitly add an hour, but I don't think 9 o'clock makes sense."

He added, "I can guarantee more people will go to park illegally in (private) lots where they don't belong."
Pinter also said he feels the proposal to ticket "lazy double parking" is unenforceable.

And, the residential parking permit system needs some tweaking too, he said, and the city should especially consider adding a probationary period for new residents to allow them time to make the proper license and registration changes to get their stickers.

Mayor Sal Panto said after his daughter had problems getting a residential permit, he agrees with the idea, and also that if the new parking proposals pass, he'd like to expand the Downtown resident permit parking areas as well.

Panto also said the city is looking at the possibility of lowering evening rates at the city parking from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 50 cents per hour to encourage more people to park there, especially those who work in the city or, like Thierrin's clients, really don't need street parking.

He added that the city will look at selling $1 disposable cards that can be used in the new smart meters as well, which will be sold to interested city businesses so they can hand them out to customers.

Several council members seem sold on the full rate hike. Speaking in favor of it were councilmen Michael Fleck and Kenneth Brown.

"We have to stop kicking the can down the road," Brown said. "I'm in support of raising the meters, uniformly, across the board."

"We're trying to save Main street and Ambassadors, and somebody has to pay for it," Fleck said.

Others, including El Warner, Roger Ruggles and Jeff Warren seem lukewarm to the full scope of the idea.

Warren has previously said he feels doubling the rate may be too much of a shock to the community.

"With the proposal at 75 cents, it seemed like those programs were secure," Warren said.

While Fleck said out that technically the city ordinance that allows for the rates to be raised is already on the books, passed in a former city budget in 2005, Warner said she thinks it's too much, and that the measure was slipped through.

"I'm not even sure council meant to pass that ordinance. It was an accident," she said. "They just passed the budget."

Councilwoman Sandra Vulcano has said little during the discussions, but offered that she'd like to see a trolley service added.

"Personally, I'd like to see a trolley at the parking garage that would take you to wherever," she said.

Panto said he's still open-minded about the matter, despite having raised the issue of a further hike. But there may not be as much of a choice as before, he warned.

"Our budget is out of balance now. Our sewer authority bill is going up $161,000. It's just like the commuter tax. If we didn't enact the commuter tax, we'd be $3.1 million short," he said. "I will cut the budget before I raise taxes."

The parking rate hike proposal is planned to be discussed again at the city's next budget proposal hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. in city council chambers in City Hall.

The budget is set to be introduced on Wednesday, Nov. 28, and a final draft will likely be passed on Wednesday, Dec. 13 to comply with the city's Home Rule requirement that a balanced budget be passed by Dec. 15.

Administrators Present Parking Revenue Estimates at Budget Discussion

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council members were presented with parking revenue estimates for 2013 during budget discussions at their workshop meeting Tuesday evening.

The numbers were requested after the initial proposed budget presentation by Mayor Sal Panto earlier this month.

Purchasing solar-powered smart meters that take credit and debit
card payments are part of the city administration's
2013 budget proposal.

A rate increase from the current 50 cents to 75 cents an hour at curbside meters will likely net the city an additional $150,000, while if the rate were raised to $1 per hour, the city would raise $250,000 more than in 2012, estimated city Finance Director Chris Heagele.

Running metered curbside parking times from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., instead of the current 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., would likely net the city an additional $65,000. Adding metered parking on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. would likely raise $50,000 more in revenue, Heagele said.

"All these numbers are conservative, not liberal (estimates)," Panto added.

All told, the changes and potential rate hike could net the city between $265,000 and $365,000 more parking revenue next year, discounting expenditures associated with the changes.

On the expenditure side of the potential plan, adding multi-space meter boxes to city parking lots would likely cost $40,000, replacing and changing various parking signs, including signage to change the time limit from two to three hours in most areas, would run about $10,000, and the proposed smart meters that would take credit card payments would be about $100,000, members of the administration estimated.

Additionally, giving parking violators a $5 break on their fines if they pay them within one business day would eat about $25,000 in city revenue, the city administrators said.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said the costs associated with purchasing new smart meters and the parking lot pay systems wouldn't be borne in one year, but stretched out over several years.

When it comes to the multi-space pay stations too, the city needs to test the idea out and see how it goes before a final decision is made, he added.

"We're not just going out and putting in this equipment," Steckman said. "We want to test first and see how it's going to be used."

He said officials expect the pay stations are likely to be more useful and heavily trafficked at places where city visitors park often, such as at the South Third Street parking lot, more than at one where there is a higher proportion of residents' permit parking, such as at the city-owned parking lot on Church Street.

The cost of signs, Steckman said, is somewhat unavoidable whether the city decides to change parking time limits or not.

"The signage, some of that's already in the budget," he said. "We're always replacing signs."

The city is also planning on spending a bit more on parking enforcement personnel in 2013, regardless of whether the rates are raised.

Hiring a full-time parking enforcement officer supervisor is necessary for higher efficiency and good parking enforcement management, Steckman said.

The move would eliminate one part-time position and create a full-time position with benefits, costing the city about $20,000 more.

"It's what we think is a good use, which, frankly, would result in more tickets being issued," Steckman said.

Currently, the city tickets only about 8-9 percent of those parked after meters expired, officials said.

"Ninety-one to 92 percent of expired meters are still going unticketed," confirmed Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo.

Still, that is two to three times the estimated percentage of those ticketed earlier this year, when the "capture" rate was in the 2 to 5 percent range.

Current digital meters provide the numbers, Scalzo said, noting that they send a signal to enforcement of their status when cars are parked but the meter has expired.

Parking violation fines account for the greatest amount of traffic-related revenue for the city. By comparison, moving violations are likely to put less than $100,000 into city coffers.

"My guess is that it will be at $80,000 to $100,000 for this year," Heagele said. "I don't think we'll go past six figures this year."

"I think it comes down to a best guess situation when it comes to what's being written," Scalzo added.

The proposed 2013 city budget doesn't include any tax hikes, but some fees will be raised or added if budget passes as presented.

While the bulk of those are likely to be mostly in planning and codes fees and are planned to be discussed at the next budget discussion, officials did mention they are leaning towards adding a billing fee to trash and sewer costs.

"We are recommending a $2 a month bill fee--$1 for trash, $1 for sewer--to help with mailing costs," Heagele said, adding the charge would be waived for those recorded with the city as being senior citizens.

Additionally, in 2013, the city expects to spend less on highway cleanup.

"That's directly related to a mild winter last year. Our barns are full (of road salt)," Heagele said.

But the Crayola Experience expansion will likely cost the city a bit more than just the last $100,000 installment of a total $300,000 payment to McDonalds to entice them to move out of their Northampton Street location this past September.

The Crayola store is planning on vacating the space in the Alpha Building it currently rents from the city to reopen in the same space as the children's interactive museum.

"We're assuming that it will remain vacant through the end of the year," Heagele said. "We're taking a conservative approach (when it comes to potential revenue."

Panto said the Crayola Experience is planning on closing for three months at the beginning of 2013, from January through March, to enable its planned expansion.

Another 2013 city budget disscussion, to review and discuss city expenditures, along with a detailed presentation of possible rate hikes for city planning and code enforcement, is set for Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

Former Barney's Steak Shop to Remain Empty, Six Other Easton Zoning Applications Approved

By Christina Georgiou

 An application for a mini-grocery and sandwich shop at the former Barney's Steak Shop in Easton's Southside neighborhood was denied 4-1 at a Zoning Hearing Board meeting, while six other applications for a variety of uses at other locations in the city were unanimously approved Monday evening.

The proposed shop application, at 156 West Nesquehoning St., which was planned to be a small “grocery store with bread, milk, cold sandwiches and, if possible, hot sandwiches on a grill, done the proper way,” was opposed by most members of the board. Members said they felt the shop would disrupt the residential neighborhood by causing potential garbage and parking issues, and that there are better uses for the space, which has been vacant for a decade.

“I know Barney's was there before, but I see it as setting a precedent, putting a restaurant in a residential neighborhood,” said board member Michael Civitella.

“I think there are more appropriate kinds of businesses that could go in a residential neighborhood,” said board member Michael Brett, adding that there are other nearby areas that could host the business.

“I think when Barney was there, it was a neighborhood-type of place, and everyone walked back then,” said board member Pamela Panto. “I don't think it's appropriate.”

The board majority seemed to be responding to the thoughts of neighbors Michael and Gail Groman, who testified they had concerns about the impact such a business would have on residents.

“There is limited parking as it is right now,” said Michael Groman. “It will have ramifications.”

“It's going to be a lot of noise,” said Gail Groman, who also worried that deliveries in an alley behind the location would be difficult, since a tenant in the same building as the proposed shop also has parking in the space.

The lone dissenting vote came from zoning board chairman James Edinger.

“I guess I'm the only one who feels different,” Edinger said. “A convenience-type store doesn't (cause much nuisance). We had one in my neighborhood—90 percent of the traffic is foot traffic. In my opinion, it's a good fit.”

Sigal Museum Gets Permission for Permanent Banner

An application for a temporary banner by the Sigal Museum on Northampton Street in the city's Downtown was amended to be a permanent addition to the building's facade and unanimously approved by the board as well on Monday evening.

The museum, owned and operated by the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, is being overlooked by city visitors who fail to notice the museum's name on the building, testified Barbara Kowitz, the museum's director.

“More often than not, people walk by and don't know that The Sigal is,” she said. “We feel the need to similarly advertise to other museums around the country.”

The banner, which will remain up “24/7, 52 weeks a year,” is planned to be approximately 3 feet wide and 22 1/2 feet high, and will be anchored by a framework bolted through the structural steel of the building, she testified.

The application, originally for temporary banner permission, was amended to be a permanent fixture after zoning hearing board solicitor Robert Nitchkey pointed out the board cannot give approval for a temporary banner without there being a fixed time limit on the installation.

Additionally, the application was amended for a smaller banner than the original request for a banner “up to 104 square feet” at the prior request of the Easton Historic District Commission.

Once the details of the request were defined, the board unanimously approved the banner, which Kowitz promised would be regularly replaced as wear and tear from the elements take their toll.

“It's difficult to identify the building as it is,” Edinger noted.

Bicycle Rental Business to Open in Hugh Moore Park

Zoning board members unanimously approved the application of Henry Meeker to run a bicycle rental business in Hugh Moore Park as well.

The proposal came before the board for a special exception because the site lies in the 500-year flood plain.

Meeker testified that the bikes, up to 40 in all, will be stored inside the Emrick Center when not in use. He plans to start with nine bicycles and expand as demand dictates, and will also lead bike tours in the park on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday through Sunday, April through October.

“But I would like to rent the bikes whenever demand dictates. If people would like to rent bikes in the winter, I'd like to make money,” Meeker said. “The goal is to have field trips, student groups, etcetera.”

None of the bikes will be motorized, he testified, and additional equipment to be stored in the Emrick Center will include helmets and a child trailer.

The business will be prohibited from operating in the event of a flood warning, and if it's so successful that he needs more than 40 bicycles, he will have to appear again before the board for further approval, conditions

Meeker seemed happy to accept.

“If I need more than 40 bikes, I think we'll have to work on getting a separate structure,” he said.

New Sports Bar Gets Parking Requirement Relief

Rivals sports bar and restaurant, planned for 5-7 Lehn's Court in the space formerly occupied by Club Beyond, was granted permission to expand from 36 to 102 seats and was additionally granted relief from the city's parking requirements by the zoning hearing board.

Matthew Cocheran and David Mandochick, both Downtown Easton residents and owner and manager respectively of the Pig Pen sports bar in Allentown, testified the expansion is necessary to the viability of the planned new business, and that providing additional parking for patrons is infeasible, given the location of the property, which they are conditionally under agreement to purchase.

The only opposition to their plan came from members of the Desai family, owners of Jack's Market at 222 Northampton St., who were recently denied their request to expand their business to include a beer distributorship at that location, partially on the basis of insufficient parking for the endeavor.

“Why would the city allow restaurant expansion when it won't allow expansion of a business in the 200 block?” asked Roshni Desai. “Even if there is a two-hour limit (at metered street parking), they'd be taking away parking from other businesses.”

However, board members did not seem to agree with the opinion.

“We have a parking deck, and we have other facilities for parking. It's not a fly-by-night outfit,” said Pamela Panto, adding that she has faith in the experience the owners of Rivals will bring to the new restaurant. “It's a good use of the building, and one more building not vacant and on our tax rolls.”

Clothing Consignment Shop to Open on 600 Block of Northampton Street

A application to open a thrift and consignment clothing shop at 637 Northampton St. was unanimously approved with little discussion as well at Monday's meeting.

Jennifer Jones testified the shop, planned in the location of a former nail salon, is planned to be open Tuesdays through Saturdays and being a consignment shop, will not take deliveries from large trucks nor
deliver large goods. She additionally said she plans to run the shop herself.

“Hopefully, as I grow, I'll need to hire someone,” Jones said.

She plans to officially open for business the first or second week of September.

Small Day Care, Garage Conversion Also Approved

In other business, the zoning hearing board also gave a nod to a small in-home day care, to care for no more than three children at 1313 Liberty St., as well as the conversion of a turn-of-the-century carriage house garage into a single-family residence on Parker Avenue on College Hill.

The day care will be run by Julieta Frey out of the home she shares with Dario Sanchez and their child, and will be subject to state license and registration requirements, the board said, adding that the small size of the operation is not expected to cause any disruption to neighbors, none of who appeared to testify at the hearing.

While some neighbors did express concern about possible drainage and run-off issues for the Parker Avenue project, board members noted that the plan would not change the footprint of the existing structure, which owner Mary Ann Dwyer and her husband hope to add a second story to and occupy themselves.

Photos added Wednesday, August 22 at 5:18 a.m.

Some Thoughts on Proposed Changes to Downtown Parking

opinion

The Girl Next Door

Parking is always a volatile issue, and more so in densely populated areas, so it's no real surprise that  potential changes to Easton's parking regulations have raised some controversy lately.

During the very many discussions about these issues though, I've noticed there are a few potential solutions that seem neglected, or haven't even been discussed.

On the other hand, some proposed changes, like switching the hours metered street parking operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. actually make a lot of sense.
This is what Northampton Street looks like on any given weekday morning around 8:30 a.m.
What is the purpose of metered parking enforcement at this hour, and exactly who are we ticketing on the rare occasions they are issued? And, if the purpose of parking meters is really to ensure turnover, not revenue, doesn't this seem pretty pointless when there is virtually no one visiting Downtown?

The first is the possibility of offering the first five or ten minutes of parking free. This would allow time for drivers to hunt up some quarters, should they be in short supply. It would also give essentially free parking to those customers the city and businesses should value most—those that come to pick something up, drop off their money and leave.

This can be accomplished with our existing technology too. The meter that 'zeros out' when a vehicle pulls out can just as easily be programmed to start with time on the meter, possibly with a message on the screen, “Welcome to Easton Pennsylvania!”

Everyone loves finding a meter with time on it—it makes them feel like it's going to be a great day. That is exactly what we want when people visit our city. So why aren't we doing it?

Starting with a few minutes on the meter also negates the “unfairness” of the city pocketing change in the form of paid time that is never used.

While many folks seem to love the idea of parking meters that take credit cards, the fact is, the equipment is expensive, estimated at three times the cost of the meters we already have, and they will definitely necessitate that very unpopular rate hike, likely doubling the current rate of 50 cents an hour.

Parking meters that don't take credit cards may actually have a number of advantages...
especially if the first few minutes are free.

Sure, some people don't carry quarters, but should the people who do and like to pay cash really pay more for the convenience of the unprepared? Or for those who are so much better off that a few extras dollars here and there doesn't make a dent?

It could be argued that the less fortunate aren't real customers in the city's Downtown, but this is patently untrue. Even the less well off treat themselves now and again. And they will choose to do so repeatedly in a place they enjoy, one that welcomes them and treats them well. That won't happen in a city that seems willing to bleed them dry before they've had any fun. Their money is as good as anyone else's, and there are more of them nearby than those of the wealthy.

Additionally, in a lousy economy, wouldn't shop owners value those extra few dollars over putting them into the city's coffers, only to pay for a convenience for a few?

Not to mention, what is the message when people feel they have to pull their credit cards out before they've stepped foot in a single shop?

Lastly, keeping parking meters as a cash-only situation is actually very good for shopkeepers, provided they are prepared to make change. And they should be. People looking for change will quite willingly go into any store that has a friendly window sign proclaiming “We have quarters for the meters!”

All those people are potentially new customers—people that otherwise would have passed an unknown shop by without a second glance.

Making change is a form of free advertising and a chance to show off one's wares. Even if they don't buy something that trip, they will remember the shop and come back, or recommend it to others. It also builds community and allows businesses to interact with the public and promote each other.

Mayor Sal Panto recently said that people don't stroll around any more. Well, to a point, he's right—at least about Easton. It's not true at all in places our city has compared itself to, such as New Hope, New York City and Bethlehem, just to name a few.

When the public doesn't know there's anything worth seeing, they don't stay and walk around. And then they don't spend their money here.

But when someone, particularly a business owner or shop clerk tells them about the wonderful little place around the corner or recommends that fabulous ethnic restaurant is or relates what a lovely time one can have on the riverfront just a couple of blocks away, many will.

When they're done and go home, those visitors will tell their friends what a great time they had and what a wonderful city Easton is to visit.

Why would anyone pass that up, to have the public pay double and lose potential customers and dollars?

It could be argued we already pay the Ambassadors to give the public directions and make recommendations, in addition to keeping the streets clean. And, when approached, they do a great job. Truly.

But really, when was the last time you were in an unfamiliar city and asked a person pushing a broom, picking up trash or planting flowers their opinion on fine dining? Maybe if the back of their shirts said something like, “I'm an expert on all things Easton. Ask me!” instead of “Clean and Safe” those questions would come their way more often.

However, for now, until that happens, until we are New Hope or New York City (both of which, it might be added, have few or no parking meters that take credit cards!), or, best yet, we get back to being the City of Easton everyone remembers of old, we need every trick in the book to have people spend their dollars in our shops and restaurants, not to mention salons and other fine service establishments, and their spare change in our meters.

With at least a five or six hour limit at most of them, so they can stay as long as they like.

Anything less is telling people to go home and to take their spending money with them.

Full disclosure: Once upon a time, the author had a very successful little bead and vintage jewelry shop in New Hope. Which regularly dispensed a solid $50 or more in quarters every summer weekend. She probably got ten dollars in sales for every dollar changed, along with some of her best customers, who ultimately spent a lot more than that. She credits an eight-by-ten-inch cheerily hand-lettered sign that said...“We have quarters for the meters.”