Residents will see new faces at Easton City Council meetings to start 2026.
Julie Zando-Dennis, Frank Graziano III and Susan Hartranft-Bittinger were elected to city council in November, and will attend their first full meeting as council members next week.
On Jan. 2, the three new council members were sworn in by Judge Brian J. Panella of Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. The council also bid farewell to three departing council members: Roger Ruggles, Jim Edinger and Taiba Sultana.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. presented the departing members with gifts, and welcomed the new members.
“I would just like to welcome everybody to what I think is a very dynamic council. We work really well together,” Panto said.
Other council members gave welcoming remarks, stating that they look forward to working together.
Graziano previously served on the Easton Planning Commission, and will represent District 1, which primarily covers the College Hill and Downtown neighborhoods.
Graziano said during campaigning he learned that Easton residents are engaged and want to be heard.
“The people of Easton have a very deep pride in this city,” he said. “I’ve lived in the city my entire life, and I share that same love and pride for the city. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to listen to the residents and advocate for them, which is a responsibility I do not take lightly.”
Zando-Dennis serves as vice president of Safe Harbor Easton and is involved with the West Ward Community Initiative. She works as a construction professional and pollution claims examiner.
She represents District 2, which covers most of the West Ward.
“It’s an honor to serve the city of Easton, and especially my neighborhood the West Ward, for which I’m going to hopefully make you proud,” she said.
Before sitting on city council, Hartranft-Bittinger served as a school board member for Easton Area School District and is a lifelong South Side resident. She will represent South Side’s District 3.
“I can’t wait to work with these great people here,” she said.