Lower Pottsgrove to advertise volunteer firefighter tax‑abatement ordinance

The Lower Pottsgrove Township Board of Commissioners voted March 20 to advertise a draft Volunteer First Responder Tax Abatement ordinance for consideration at the board—onference on April 7, 2025. Commissioner Robert Mohollen moved to advertise the ordinance; the motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

Mohollen said the ordinance follows a county-produced formula that has been shared with the township—ire companies and urged the board to move forward so the measure can be voted on next month. "The purpose is to not only reward the fire fighters, but to increase participation of the volunteers we have as well as to entice others to volunteer," Commissioner Mohollen said.

Eric Linsenbigler, chief of the Sanatoga Fire Company, told the board that members had reacted positively to the proposal. "Members of the fire company are excited to have this on the local level; it feels more personal, like we are appreciated by our community," Linsenbigler said.

President Raymond W. Lopez said he researched county and state approaches and discussed practices with the Fire Commissioners office in Harrisburg and municipalities that have adopted similar ordinances. The board did not adopt the ordinance on March 20; advertising begins the local review process and sets the ordinance for formal consideration on April 7.

If adopted, the ordinance would apply the County—ormula discussed with the fire companies; specific fiscal impacts on the township budget were not specified at the March 20 meeting. The board indicated interest in advancing a local recognition program to support recruitment and retention of volunteer responders.