Firefighter tax credit up for vote

A tax break for volunteer firefighters in Hatfield will be up for a formal vote later this month, several weeks later than originally planned.

Hatfield’s board will vote Sept. 27 on an ordinance reducing taxes for volunteer firefighters, after discovering state requirements that delayed a vote originally slated for August.

“We will have a public hearing at the regular meeting in September, and then the board will be in a position to approve this tax relief, which obviously is a very

good thing for our volunteers,” said Township Manager Aaron Bibro.

Hatfield receives fire coverage from the Hatfield and Colmar fire companies, which share a portion of the dedicated fire tax millage paid by residents, and each covers portions of the township. Act 172 of 2016, a state law, allows municipalities to lower taxes for volunteer firefighters and other emergency personnel as an incentive for those groups to recruit and retain members.

Hatfield officials announced a proposal last month that had been developed and vetted by the board’s finance committee: a credit of up to $500 on township earned income taxes, along with a 20 percent reduction in real estate taxes. With the two credits combined, an active volunteer who owns an average house in the township and makes $100,000 per year or less would pay $570 less in township taxes starting in 2018, and staff estimate the credit would apply to 35 to 45 people, at a total estimated cost of roughly $20,000 per year.

The commissioners voted in July to advertise an ordinance enacting the tax credit, and said at the time they hoped to pass it on Aug. 23, but Bibro announced that night that timing requirements in the state law required waiting for one more month, until the Sept. 27 board meeting, due to time needed to advertise a public discussion.

“The legislation requires an additional period of time for public notice, as well as a public hearing, which is different than what the first class township code requires,” Bibro said.

Since the July discussion, Bibro said, he’s heard from several firefighters, “all excited and thankful” for the proposal, and board President Tom Zipfel said he’s heard the same.

“I’ve had a number of people come and thank us, and (commissioner) Bob Rodgers, it was his initiative that started this, so thanks to him and staff for putting it together,” Zipfel said.

In other business Aug. 23, staff and the commissioners gave updates on several long-discussed projects. Commissioner Larry Hughes announced repairs to the Walnut Street bridge, the latest in a series of bridge repairs across the township, are now complete, and the bridge is back open.

“That’s the fifth bridge in the last five years that we’ve replaced or repaired,” he said. “The projects were over $4 million, and due to grants, it’s only going to cost ten percent township taxpayer dollars.”

Zipfel announced the township’s civil service commission met Aug. 23 to start updating the eligibility list for new police hires, which come after several departures from the department in 2017.

“We plan on hiring one new police officer by the end of this calendar year,” Zipfel said.

Commissioner Gerry Andris said the 2018 budget process will begin in September with internal staff meetings, and public goalsetting meetings will be held by the board in October and November. Earned income and transfer tax revenues have both increased in 2017 over the prior year, which Andris said were both signs of a strong local real estate market.

Hatfield parks and recreation staff are planning several fall events, Commissioner Laura Thomas reported, including the “Dog-A-Poolooza” fundraiser at the Hatfield Aquatic Center on Sept. 9. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., residents can bring pets to swim in the township’s pool for $5 per person and $10 per dog, with proceeds from the entry fees, raffles, and silent auctions going to local animal rescue groups.

Other upcoming events include fall fitness classes, basketball and pickleball sessions, and the annual Rocktoberfest, scheduled for Sept. 30.

For more information or to register for upcoming events, contact the township at 215-855-0900 or visit www.HatfieldRec.com.

Hatfield’s commissioners next meet at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 and Sept. 27, both at the township administration building, 1950 School Road. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.HatfieldTownship.org or follow @HatfieldPA on Twitter.