City of Allen E-News

March 13, 2015

Are you flushing money down the drain? Water leaks cause the average U.S. family to waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water per year. That's enough for 270 loads of laundry! That's why the City of Allen is joining forces with cities nationwide in the Environmental Protection Agency's annual Fix a Leak Week, March 16-22.

Next week, Allen residents can pick up leak detector tablets in Utility Billing at Allen City Hall. Tablets will be available Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Simply place the tablet in your toilet tank and wait 10-20 minutes. If the water in your toilet bowl turns the same color as the tablet, you have a leak. Residents can also pick up an information sheet with details on leak detection and DIY repairs. Can't make it to City Hall? You can find the same information on the EPA website.

Give Feedback on How to Spend Your Tax Dollars

The Allen Community Development Corporation (CDC) wants your feedback as it determines how to spend funds received through its half-cent sales tax. Residents can chime in during the CDC's annual town hall meeting on Monday, March 16.

The half-cent sales tax, approved by voters, became effective on October 1, 1996. CDC funds can only be spent on land, buildings, equipment and improvements which are suitable for professional and amateur athletics, entertainment and tourism, parks and public spaces, transportation and other projects which promote new or expanded business enterprises.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Allen City Hall. For more information about the meeting, contact Rebecca Vice at 214.509.4109 or rvice@cityofallen.org.

Help Keep Emerald Ash Borers Out of Allen

Earning "Tree City USA" designation every year since 2002, Allen is a great place to enjoy the shade. But an exotic pest could threaten Allen's large population of green ash trees. The Emerald Ash Borer first appeared in Michigan, destroying millions of ash trees in that state alone. Now the borer has spread south, appearing in Arkansas and Louisiana near the east Texas border.

The insect spreads when people move and sell firewood infested with borers. When infested wood is taken to a new location, the borers move to nearby trees. They often settle in trees already experiencing stress due to drought or other issues. Though infested trees can be saved, the treatment can be costly and not all trees survive. To prevent damage to local trees, residents are urged to buy locally-sourced firewood and avoid carrying wood across state lines, especially as the summer camping season approaches.

City of Allen Community Calendar Highlights

March 22

Pirouettes for Pets

March 28

Recycling Fundraiser for

Allen Eagle Escadrille

March 28

Eggcellent Family Adventure

Does your community organization have an event open to the general public you want us to know about? Simply fill out the form at CityOfAllen.org/SubmitCalendarItem to see about getting it added to our Community Calendar.