Town Fair in Downtown Erie on May 21

Bring your friends and family to beautiful Downtown Erie for the Erie Chamber of Commerce’s Town Fair on Saturday, May 21. The Fair booths will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Briggs, Wells, Kattell, and Moffat streets. Town staff and advisory boards will be represented at six different booths this year sharing information about the Erie Police Department, historic preservation, Emerald Ash Borer and tree care, recreation activities, the Home Rule process, and makerspaces.

Staff will also have information about available job openings at the Town. Stop by and say hello!
To find easy parking, don't forget about the public lots at Town Hall off Holbrook or consider riding to the Fair and using the Bike Plaza at the intersection of Wells and Pierce streets. Traffic will be slower than usual, and parking will be tight. Please be aware of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout downtown and follow all posted detour signs. Also be sure to follow the Erie Chamber on social media for last-minute updates about the Erie Balloon Launches on May 20, 21, and 22 – as they are weather dependent. Visit the Town Fair website for more information.

Water Wise – Slow the Flow by Having Your Sprinklers Checked for Free

Similar to your car, sprinkler systems need an occasional checkup to ensure they’re watering your lawn as efficiently as possible. Get your system checked with a FREE Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluation provided by the Town of Erie and Resource Central.

Sprinkler evaluations last about 75 minutes and could help save thousands of gallons of water each year and keep your lawn healthy. It’s easy to sign up - simply call 303-999-3824 or schedule an appointment at ResourceCentral.org/Sprinklers.

National Public Works Week

It’s National Public Works Week! Public Works is often one of the lowest profile yet one of the most important departments in any municipality. Our public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, emergency management, sustainability, water quality, water treatment, and many other behind-the-scenes functions that contribute to the well-being and quality of life we all enjoy in Erie.

If you see someone out working on Town streets, at the recycling center, around Town facilities, or driving a Town of Erie vehicle, chances are they are in Public Works. Give them a wave and let them know we appreciate what they do for our community.

Photo: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org

Emerald Ash Borer in Erie and What You Can Do

As of early 2022, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is presumed present in low levels throughout Erie. Now is the appropriate time for residents to MAKE A PLAN for your Ash trees.

Step 1 - Inventory your trees
Do you have any Ash trees? Emerald Ash Borer only kills Ash trees.

Step 2 - Evaluate your Ash trees
Mature, healthy Ash trees growing in a good location with room to grow are good candidates for treatment and preservation. Unhealthy Ash trees are not.

Step 3 - Chemical Treatment
Pesticides must be reapplied every 1-3 years based on specific manufacturer’s recommendations. The most effective pesticides must be applied by licensed pesticide applicators and are most effective when applied before a tree becomes infested.

Step 4 - Plan for Removal
Untreated Ash trees will be killed by EAB – it is just a matter of time. Get tree removal estimates from local licensed Arborists and budget for this future expense.

Step 5- Plant diversity!
Consider replacing unhealthy Ash trees with diverse species to ensure the health of Erie’s future tree canopy. As an Erie resident, you may qualify for our tree planting program to cover some of the cost.

Visit the Erie website for additional resources and information.

Know Your Property Line

The Parks & Recreation Department wants to be a good neighbor to residents whose properties are adjacent to Town-owned property. To do this, we all have to know and understand our property lines and limits. Below are some of the things to remember along your property line:

Storage: Personal items such as landscape materials, lawnmowers, wood, and utility trailers, including structures (sheds, fences, raised garden beds, weather stations) must be stored solely on private property.
Recreation: Private recreational items such as playgrounds, trampolines, horseshoe pits, treehouses, rope swings, and bird feeders are not permitted on Town-owned property.
Dumping: Discarding grass clippings, sod, soil, yard waste, trash, debris, landscape materials, and dog waste over your backyard fence is harmful to the open space. This also includes general trash and debris accumulation.
Extended Landscaping: Irrigation, planting, gardening, residential mowing, dog houses, timber walls, and structural supports for private property improvements must be contained within your backyard.
Access: Accessing your property through Town open space property is not permitted. Creating walkways beyond your fence line or removing Town fencing is prohibited.
Motor Vehicle Operation: The operation of any motorized vehicle or equipment such as trucks, electric/gas scooters, and skid steers on or through parks and open space property is not allowed.

In the coming months, the Parks & Open Space Department will be identifying and monitoring encroachments onto Town-owned properties, notifying adjacent property owners of any identified encroachments, and communicating what issues need to be corrected within an allotted timeframe to be in compliance with the Town Municipal Code.

EPD Detective Featured on #GovPossible

In case you missed it, the People of Public Service’s Gallery for Public Service Recognition Week (May 9-13) featured Erie’s own Detective Shannon Crow. When asked what her superpower is, Crow said, “As a detective, my public service superpower is working closely with victims throughout the criminal justice process.” We’re honored to have her represent the Erie Police Department. To view the full gallery, visit www.performance.gov/peopleofgov/.

Town of Erie is hiring

As the Town continues to grow, we have several openings and encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Keep checking the Town of Erie job board for Erie’s latest openings, which currently include: