Penn Township to vote on expanding volunteer service tax program to include Manor firefighters

Penn Township commissioners will vote this next week on a proposal to expand its volunteer service credit program to include residents who serve in neighboring Manor Borough Volunteer Fire Department.

Enacted by the township commissioners in 2018, the program gives real estate and earned income tax credits to Penn Township residents who serve in the township’s ambulance or volunteer fire services.

The program is supported by an act signed by former Gov. Tom Wolf in November 2016. It permits municipalities to offer credit to residents who serve in neighboring volunteer emergency services, Penn Township Secretary/Manager Mary Perez said.

Manor officials approached the township about entering into a partnership, Perez said. The borough will vote to similarly expand its tax credit program to residents who serve in Penn Township.

“Our board is very supportive of our volunteers, and this is one small way to show appreciation for their service to the community,” she said.

Penn Township has an ambulance service and five volunteer fire departments — Claridge, Grandview, Harrison City, Level Green and Paintertown.

Under Penn Township’s credit program, volunteers who are deemed active can receive a refund of up to $350 of their earned income tax and up to 20% of their total township real estate taxes.

Active volunteers are considered those who have at least one full year of service and a participation score of 23%, according to the township ordinance.

“The goal of the program is to encourage membership and service in the community’s volunteer fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical service agencies,” the ordinance states.

This score is calculated by examining the number of volunteer points the individual has completed throughout the year in relation to the number of emergency calls and drill events within the department that year.

Points are earned each time a volunteer participates in an emergency response and training or drill event. Non-emergency activities like special event traffic control, fire prevention activities, department fundraising and facility and equipment maintenance also earn points.

Volunteers who were injured during an emergency response can also be eligible for future tax credits, according to the ordinance.

The Penn Township commissioners will vote to expand its volunteer service credit program at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the township municipal building, located at 2001 Municipal Court in Harrison City.