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ELKINS -- The city of Elkins will begin trimming brush and branches in alleyways today, officials said.
The city's Street Department will perform the trimming of brush and branches overhanging city alleys.
The work will proceed throughout city wards in order, starting with First Ward, officials said.
"The city has the responsibility to keep all roads and alleys free of obstructions," Mike Kesecker, the city's operations manager, said.
"Branches sticking out into the right of way can make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians and can cause damage to passing vehicles. The trees and bushes themselves can be damaged when their branches stick out where they might be ripped off by vehicles."
According to a City of Elkins press release, the city's authority to trim back branches over roads and alleys is stipulated in Elkins City Code § 93.007, which states that "no person shall in any way obstruct any street," with obstructions defined as including "branches... overhanging [roads and alleys] so as to interfere with travel thereon and use thereof."
Although work will begin with First Ward today and proceed in order through the other wards, it is not possible to estimate how long each ward will take, officials said.
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The City of Elkins also announced that customers can access expanded online payment options starting Tuesday, with the launch of the city's new InvoiceCloud electronic payment and billing platform.
The city's previous online payments processor, PSN, has merged with InvoiceCloud, and the new platform will provide greater flexibility and a wider range of services for customers, officials said.
The InvoiceCloud platform will continue to support both scheduled and manual online payments for utility and fire-fee bills. Customers with active Auto-Pays (scheduled payments) on the PSN platform will continue to have their bills paid as scheduled, with no further action necessary. Customers with paperless billing will continue to receive notification emails, with no further action necessary.
However, all customers will need to establish new usernames and passwords before logging onto the new InvoiceCloud platform to view or change account information, reschedule or make manual payments, and use other platform features, officials said. Customers will be prompted to set up a new username and password the first time they visit the site.
To access the new platform, visit www.invoicecloud.com/cityofelkinswv. On that page, customers will be able to choose between "Utility & Fire Fees" or "Non-Utility Payments."
After selecting "Utility & Fire Fees," customers will be prompted to enter their account number and at least the last name of the person on the account. You must enter your account number in the following format (including dashes): ###-######-##. On the next screen, check the box next to your account information, click "Create Online Account," and follow instructions to proceed.
In addition to utility and fire-fee payments, the new InvoiceCloud platform also enables customers to make online payments for building permits, business license renewals, special trash pickups, B&O taxes, and other city bills. Once you receive a bill, whether via mail or email, you will be able to pay it online by clicking "Non-Utility Payments" on the landing page and providing the requested information.
To further strengthen security around customer financial information, city staff stopped accepting payments by phone in January. Customers wishing to pay or check balances by phone can do so by contacting InvoiceCloud at 866-370-0178.
Questions about using this service should be directed to Elkins Deputy Treasurer Jennifer Shreve at 304-636-1414, ext. 1318, or by email at jshreve@cityofelkinswv.com.
Access the new platform here: www.invoicecloud.com/cityofelkinswv.