With Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations over, reality is beginning to set in for Northampton property owners.

Residents have recently received a slightly different greeting card, one informing them of the borough's annual garbage bill.

"We're sending out 4,000 refuse bills to property owners," borough Manager Gene Zarayko said.

Residents who pay their bill by Feb. 18 will receive a discount. Tables will be set up in the borough hall lobby, staffed by employees, to assist residents with paying their bills. The practice occurs every February.

Property owners will be billed $305 for refuse collection. A $25 discount will be applied if paid by Feb. 18. If paid after the deadline, a penalty fee is imposed.

Seniors, Zarayko said, are entitled to the $25 discount if paid by the Feb. 18 deadline and an additional $25 savings if they are 65 years of age or older, provided they own and reside in the residence where the bill is sent. The savings could result in a $255 payment total.

Zarayko said garbage collection fees are expected to generate $1 million in revenue in 2014, the bulk going to the private contractor, with the remaining amount going to the borough administrative fee.

Property owners will receive their real estate tax bills in the mail shortly as well. There is a four-tenth of a mill property tax increase for 2014. Zarayko said homeowners will pay $20 more, based on an average property assessment of $50,000.