Following the directives established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit public gatherings, several of the following meetings / activities might be changed, canceled, streamed or online. Masks over the nose and mouth are required in all government offices and buildings. Temperature checks may be made. Check websites and social media as available.

Municipal notes

SHREDDING: NorCo residents only: free household document shredding events, 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 16, rain or shine, 2801 Emrick Blvd. Paper waste will not be accepted from any business or organization.

There is a limit of three boxes or bags per vehicle with a 25 pound weight limit per box or bag. Accepted items include accounting records, canceled checks, pay stubs, financial statements, investment transactions, legal documents, medical records, tax forms, etc. Unacceptable materials include junk mail, magazines, catalogs, photographs, negatives and X-rays. Staples, paper clips, rubber bands and folders are okay. Ring binders, metal strips, and plastic sheet protectors or coverings will be refused.

SBA DISASTER LOANS: Northampton County’s Lamont McClure and Emergency Management Services announce that homeowners, residents and businesses are now eligible for Small Business Assistance (SBA) loans for any damage they suffered from Hurricane Ida. Applications for physical damage are due by Nov. 9, 2021; applications related to economic injury are due by June 10, 2022.

The following loans are available: Business Physical Disaster Loan; Economic Injury Disaster Loans; and Home Disaster Loans.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications by visiting https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela or by calling 1-800-659-2955. Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

BALLOT BOXES: The Northampton County Elections Office announces that it will install a secure ballot drop-off box for mail-in ballots in each of the county’s four districts. The boxes will be available until 8 p.m. Nov. 2, 2021. Accessing the drop-off boxes does not require going through security. The locations and drop-off times are:

Rotunda of the Government Center, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 669 Washington St., Easton.

When dropping off a ballot, voters can park for free in the loading-and-unloading zone on Washington Street in front of the courthouse or use the new parking lot at the intersection of Wolf Avenue and Washington Street.

Human Services Building, 8:30a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2801 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem, 18020

Northampton County 911 Center, 8:30a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth

Bethlehem City Hall, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem

To avoid having a mail-in ballot rejected, voters must make sure the ballot is enclosed in the sealed privacy envelope, that the return envelope is signed and dated, that there are no identifying marks or symbols on the privacy envelope and that the ballot is returned to the Elections Office by 8 p.m. Nov. 2.

Voters may only drop off their own ballots. Third party return of ballots is prohibited unless the person returning the ballot is rendering assistance to a disabled voter or emergency absentee voter and has a signed “Certification of Designated Agent” form. A copy of this form can be downloaded at vote.pa.gov. Counterfeiting, forging, tampering with or destroying ballots is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to sections 1816 and 1817 of the PA Election Code. (25 P.S. §§ 3516 and 3517) Voters may track the status of their mail-in or absentee ballots at vote.pa.gov. Northampton County Executive Office, 669 Washington St., Easton 18042.

Wednesday, October 13

Northampton Co. Industrial Development Authority, 4 p.m., Northampton Co. Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton.

Northampton Co. Karst Geology Advisory Council, 4:30 p.m., Northampton Co. Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton.

Bethlehem Twp. NorCo Municipal Authority, 6:30 p.m. Municipal building, 4225 Easton Ave.

Hellertown Borough Water Authority Board, 7 p.m. 685 Main St.

Lehigh Co. Commissioners, 7:30 p.m. Public hearing room, Gov’t. Center, 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown.

Thursday, October 14

Northampton Co. Revenue Appeals Board hearing, 9 a.m., Northampton Co. Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton.

Bethlehem Authority, 3:30 p.m. City hall, 10 E. Church St.

Bethlehem Planning Commission, 5 p.m., City hall, 10 E. Church St. Masks are mandatory. Questions, comments may be submitted 24 hours in advance of hearing to planninginfo@bethlehem-pa.gov; must include name and phone number. More information: visit www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Community-Economic-Development/Planning-Zoning

Monday, October 18

Bethlehem Area School Board Finance and Human Resources, 6 p.m., Education Center, 1516 Sycamore St.

Historic Conservation Commission, 6 p.m. Masks required. Submit comments, questions 24 hours in advance of meeting to planninginfo@bethlehem-pa.gov; include name and phone number.

Bethlehem Twp. Commissioners,7 p.m. Municipal building, 4225 Easton Ave.

Fountain Hill Zoning, 7 p.m., 941 Long St.

Hellertown Borough Council, 6:50 p.m. 685 Main St.

Tuesday, October 19

Bethlehem City Committee of the Whole, Capital Plan Review, 6 p.m. City hall, 10 E. Church St.

Bethlehem City Council, 7 p.m. City hall, 10 E. Church St. Current and recent meetings are located on line at www.youtube.com/channel/UCRLFG5Y9Ui0jADKaRE1W3xw.

Freemansburg Council workshop, if needed, 7 p.m. 600 Monroe St.

Hanover Twp. (LeCo) Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m. 2202 Grove Road, Allentown.

Wednesday, October 20

Northampton Co. Personnel and Finance committees, 4 p.m. Northampton Co. Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton.

Northampton Co. Capital Projects and Operations Committee, 5 p.m., Northampton Co. Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton.

Fountain Hill Council, 7 p.m., 941 Long St.

Hellertown Borough Zoning Hearing, 6:50 p.m. 685 Main St. for Zoom access, visit https://zoom.us/j/92670655549?pwd=amwydVhVc0N0d0p4U2tzSUV4NG9GZz09

Hanover Twp. (LeCo) Supervisors, 7:30 p.m. 2202 Grove Road, Allentown.

The Bethlehem Press calendar listings are, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of printing. We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information submitted by external parties.