Neshaminy board approves $800 tax credit for volunteer first responders; firefighters urge support

The Neshaminy Board of School Directors voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing a first-responders real-estate tax credit, a measure supporters said is intended to help recruit and retain volunteer emergency personnel.

Missus Bowman, superintendent, moved the resolution for adoption (item 6.02), and Mister Rodriguez seconded. The board approved the measure 8-0. The board packet included a file with particulars of the tax credit, officials said.

The program described by Bowman calls for an $800 rebate for eligible first responders who document at least 25% activity, a structure she said was recommended by the district’s business operations committee and enabled by state law passed the prior March. “This went into law last March in Pennsylvania, allowing municipalities and school districts to provide retention and recruitment incentives to first responders,” Bowman said to introduce the item.

Volunteer leaders who testified during public comment urged the board to adopt the measure. David Williams, president of the Feasterville Fire Company, told the board: “We appreciate this being proposed and we look forward to your support on the referendum.” Steven Lake, president of the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company, said the district could be “one of the first” to implement the relief and thanked the board for considering it.

The resolution as presented directs district staff to implement the program as described in the attached file; the motion passed without amendment. The packet did not specify implementation timelines, eligibility verification procedures beyond the 25% activity threshold, or the funding source for the rebate. Those operational details were not discussed on the record at the meeting.

Next steps: the board approved the resolution for final adoption; staff will be responsible for carrying out the particulars listed in the attached file and reporting back as required by board policy.