MIDDLESEX TWP — Middlesex Township supervisors Wednesday night gave township manager Adam Hartwig approval to draft an ordinance regarding tax breaks for volunteer firefighters.

They made their decision after hearing about firefighter retention opportunities from Melissa Bitzer, a member of the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company's board of directors.

Citing Act 172 of 2016, Bitzer explained Pennsylvania allows municipalities to enact two types of tax credits specific to firefighters: real estate and municipal earned income taxes (EIT).

“The hope is that we can keep our current, existing firefighters,” Bitzer said. “And possibly bring on some new ones.”

Act 172 mandates an enacted property tax credit can't exceed 20% of the volunteer's tax liability.

The EIT break would be set by the township.

Act 172 states that in the event a volunteer's EIT liability is less than the offered tax credit, the credit must equal the volunteer's liability.

The breaks are limited to “active volunteers,” which Bitzer said is open to interpretation.

A list of eligible volunteers would need to be defined by the fire department in accordance with the township.

Mike Huber, fire chief, estimated the department has at most 20 active volunteers.

“This tax relief would mean so much to our volunteers,” Bitzer said.

Bitzer noted the term “volunteer” is important. Many township firefighters have full-time jobs and families.

Bitzer said the credits would help those who risk their lives to keep the community safe.

Supervisors agreed to have Hartwig look into drafting an ordinance to reflect the proposed tax breaks.