Easton City Council Meeting – February 25, 2026

The meeting was called to order with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. The invocation acknowledged the tragic fire at the Hotel Hampton earlier in the week and prayed for the victims, firefighters, and emergency responders. Prayers were offered for the recovery of Wilson Fire Department member Bobby Lewullis, who was injured in the fire. The invocation also recognized Black History Month and local civil rights leaders.

• Roll call: Council members present included Ken Brown, Julie Zando-Dennis, Frank Pintabone, Frank Graziano, Susan Hartranft-Bittinger, and Mayor Salvatore J. Panto, Jr.
• Council member Crystal Rose was absent.

The agenda for the meeting was approved unanimously. Minutes from the February 11th meeting were also approved without additions or corrections.

Kristen Cooper from the Easton Police Department Community Advocate Program gave a presentation on the program’s work, accompanied by Officer Crosson. The program focuses on:

• Victim Advocacy: Supporting crime victims through the legal process, providing court preparation, referrals to services, and ongoing emotional support. Within 90 days of a crime, only 19% of victims require additional police service.
• Social Services: Addressing non-crime related issues such as mental health concerns, family disputes, child welfare, substance abuse, and disability needs. Mental health call recidivism was reduced from an average of 2 calls per 90 days to 1 call per 90 days.
• Unhoused Population Support: Officer Crosson builds relationships with the unhoused population in Easton, offering resources, support, and connections to treatment. In 2025, approximately 40 people entered treatment and there were 610 encounters with individuals needing support.

The program uses a case management system called Casebook to track services and outcomes. Cooper also provided an update on the Hampton Hotel fire, noting that 40 people from the Hampton and 25 from surrounding buildings needed services. A multi-agency resource center was scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the State Theatre Gallery to provide assistance with document replacement, housing, and legal services.

Luke, a downtown resident, offered comments on the recent fire and the unhoused population:

• Suggested using the term ‘unhoused’ rather than ‘homeless’ to avoid dehumanizing language.
• Thanked first responders, including Bobby Lewullis from Wilson Borough Fire Department, the Red Cross, and United Way for their response to the Hampton Hotel fire.
• Expressed pride in the community’s support for fire victims through donation drives.
• Advocated for the city to invest in public housing, including another single room occupancy (SRO) facility.

The consent agenda included eight resolutions for certificates of appropriateness for the following addresses:

• 16 Center Square
• 349-51 Northampton Street
• 501-03 Northampton Street (Hooper House – city property)
• 219 Ferry Street
• 26 North 6th Street
• 37 North 5th Street
• 441-43 Northampton Street
• 157-63 Northampton Street

The consent agenda also included a resolution recognizing the city’s designation as a SolSmart Silver Community through the Energy Ready and SolSmart program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. All items were approved unanimously.

Councilman Frank Pintabone reported on Economic Development activities:

• The department received approval on Hooper House stabilization from the Historic District Commission.
• Completed planning for the next ‘Taste of Food Industry’ event on June 16th at the Quadrant on Third Street (8:30-10:30 AM).
• Completed initial draft of guidelines for the 2026 outdoor dining program (to be presented at the March 10th committee meeting).
• Planning for the annual commercial real estate familiarization tour on June 11th (2-5 PM).
• Applied for AARP Community Challenge grant for Eddyside Park Pavilion renovations ($15,000) and PennDOT MTF 611 South pedestrian improvements ($565,885).
• Closed out Marquis Apartments RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) application.
• Held strategic planning sessions with staff.
• Thanked DPW crews for excellent snow removal work during recent storms.

The city spent approximately $66,000 on snow removal for three recent storms.

Councilwoman Crystal Rose’s report (read by Councilman Pintabone):

• A special zoning hearing board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26th at 6 PM for the proposed 70 North Fourth Street mixed-use building.
• The Easton Planning Commission will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 4th at 6 PM.
• Finalizing an ordinance update for data centers and working on addressing detention centers.
• Scheduled discussion on developer garage parking permit agreements for the March 10th committee meeting.

East and Main Street Initiative is hosting a ‘Walk Up the Block Party’ on Saturday from 12-2 PM on the 400 block of Northampton Street to support businesses impacted by the fire.

Councilman Frank Graziano reported on Public Safety:

• Thanked the Easton Fire Department and all mutual aid fire departments, police, EMS, Northampton County 911, and emergency management for their response to the Hampton Hotel fire.
• Thanked the State Theater for opening their doors to shelter displaced residents.
• Acknowledged the Red Cross and Community Advocate program for quickly identifying victims and coordinating shelter.
• 35 individuals are still staying at Alumni Hall shelter; case management is ongoing and housing remains a significant challenge.
• Thanked the community for stepping up with meals and donation drives for displaced residents.

Councilwoman Julie Zando-Dennis reported on Public Works:

• Thanked the public works department for their snow removal efforts.
• Had a tour of the public works garage with David Hopkins and discussed snow removal procedures, particularly challenges with low temperatures and freezing conditions.
• Met with State Representative Lisa Boscola about supporting a privacy bill addressing license plate readers (Flock cameras). Representative Boscola is investigating whether an amendment could be added to an existing consumer privacy bill.

Hampton Fire Follow-up:

• Thanked community members who donated at clothing drives held at Paxinosa Elementary, Platinum Star Cleaning, and House Planted.
• Within the first 24 hours, emergency needs (shoes, socks, coats) were provided to fire victims.
• A core group of volunteers, including Zando-Dennis and Graziano, have been visiting the shelter multiple times daily to meet with residents and provide clothing and support.
• The Red Cross is operating the shelter with volunteers from Pittsburgh assisting.

Demographics of Shelter Residents:

• Many residents are over 65 with limited social security income; some have disabilities or serious illnesses.
• Some under 65 residents have jobs and were commuting to/from work while staying at the shelter.
• Some residents have physical or mental health disabilities.
• One woman is seven months pregnant.
• Only one person has a substance abuse problem; he voluntarily asked to enter rehab.

A multi-agency resource center will be held Friday (3-8 PM) and Saturday (9 AM-2 PM) at the State Theater Gallery. Additional fundraising events are being planned for businesses and residents impacted by the fire.

Councilwoman Susan Hartranft-Bittinger reported on Administration:

• Thanked the community, fire department, EMS, and police for helping those affected by the fire.
• Thanked the Easton Area School District for allowing the shelter at Paxinosa Elementary and Northampton Community College for their assistance with housing.
• The city is hiring police officers; approximately four officer openings are available. Applications are due by March 20th, 2026.

City Solicitor Joel Scheer had no report.

Mayor Salvatore J. Panto, Jr. reported:

• Police Applications: The city received 12 full applications and 72 quick applications (total of 84) for police officer positions. HR Director Estelle Gehringer feels confident about the response.
• Lynden Project: 73 condominiums planned for 101 S 3rd St with a sales office opening in the Wells Fargo building on Center Square. The penthouse had a bidding war and sold for over $1 million. 13 units are already under contract. Mayor emphasized the importance of owner-occupied downtown housing.
• 70 North Fourth Street Hearing: Zoning hearing board meeting is tomorrow night.
• State of the City: Will be given on March 11th, the same night new police officers will be sworn in publicly (five officers are completing field training and will finish by March 23rd).
• Aquatic Facility Design Agreement: The city is making an agreement for feasibility and assessment services at Eddyside and Heil Pools. Heil Pool will be closed indefinitely until restored.

City Administrator Luis Campos reported:

• Hampton Fire Response: Acknowledged city hall employees for keeping city hall open during the fire when power went out (approximately 3,500 residents lost power for about two hours). Met-Ed shut off power due to an energized fire truck on top of a manhole.
• The city is better prepared to deal with large-scale fires than in the past; the Ferry Street fire served as a case study for multi-agency cooperation.
• Parking Agreements: Signed memorandum of agreement with St. John’s Church for parking lot access (similar to Social Security lot). St. John’s lot will be open to the public after 5 PM until 8 AM and on weekends (limited Sunday hours). Combined with Social Security lot, this provides approximately 125 additional spots during peak hours (state theater events). Parking is $2/hour.
• The city started a pilot program reserving 30 spots in the Fourth Street Garage for monthly parkers.
• Polling Location: The Bureau of Elections asked the city to host a polling location at city hall downtown (previous location on Spring Garden Street is no longer available due to church purchase/renovation).
• There is a grievance currently under review; an executive session will be scheduled for discussion.
• The two-year budget discussion is postponed to the next committee meeting.
• Thanked Councilman Pintabone for his support during the fire (providing meals and water to firefighters, visiting injured firefighter Bobby Luellis at the hospital).
• Signed a disaster declaration to facilitate funding from county and state agencies for victims and businesses (SBA, etc.).

Councilman Pintabone raised concerns about Met-Ed’s response during the Hampton fire:

• The city called Met-Ed between 10:30-11:00 AM to shut off power; Met-Ed acknowledged but did not act.
• Met-Ed shut off power around 2 PM, creating a risky situation for the fire truck and firefighters.
• Fire Chief Henry Hennings was very upset and sent Met-Ed representatives to Pintabone.
• The city will schedule a meeting with Met-Ed to explain how they made such a significant error.

Councilman Pintabone discussed parking issues:

• St. John’s and Social Security parking lots are only $2/hour (cheaper than garage).
• The city started a pilot program reserving 30 spots in the Fourth Street Garage for monthly parkers.
• Pintabone noted a challenge during snow emergencies: residents on snow emergency routes are offered free garage parking, but residents not on snow emergency routes take the spots, leaving those who need parking with nowhere to go. The city is looking into solutions.
• The city is also looking into more efficient and economical ways of removing snow from the garage roof (approximately 70 spaces impacted).

Council voted on the following resolutions (all passed unanimously):

• Resolution authorizing destruction of police files
• Resolution authorizing Easton DCED to apply for a Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grant
• Resolution approving agreement with Aquatic Facility Design for feasibility and assessment services for Eddyside and Hild Pool facilities
• Resolution authorizing agreement with Xavier Landscaping for installation of new seating walls
• Resolution approving proposal from Barry Isett and Associates for survey work related to Easton Iron and Metal Property (work scheduled for 2026, construction scheduled for 2027)
• Resolution authorizing agreement with IPS for merchant processing services for on-street parking meter transactions

Eric from North 13th Street spoke about parking issues on 13th Street:

• Stated parking is ‘horrendous’ on 13th Street.
• Said he spoke to Councilman Pintabone two years ago and never received a callback.
• Called the mayor’s secretary that morning; the mayor was going to speak to the chief and call back but never did.
• Received a parking ticket that morning for parking in front of his own driveway.
• Parking enforcement officer Marcus Gilbert told him it was illegal to park in front of his own driveway; Eric researched the code and found it was allowed.
• Eric appealed the ticket; Gilbert gave him a warning but said not to do it again because it was illegal.
• Eric offered to provide a solution for removing snow from garage roofs (he has 30 years experience with Warren County DPW).

Mayor Panto noted they had a meeting that afternoon to discuss the issue.

Councilman Pintabone raised two final items:

• Requested contracts for the 14 Flock cameras be provided to council via email for review.
• Proposed creating an ordinance requiring apartment buildings to keep occupancy lists either online or with city hall. This is the second fire (Lafayette and Hampton) where fire department did not know how many people were living in the building. Solicitor Scheer noted landlord registration currently requires occupancy lists for per capita tax purposes; he will investigate why rooming houses may be treated differently and whether the ordinance can be amended. Scheer agreed to review the proposal.

Mayor Panto reminded residents about the block watch reorganizational meeting tomorrow night at the State Theatre Gallery. Block watch is the ‘eyes and ears’ of the city for the police department.

Meeting adjourned.