Allen Township Board of Supervisors met Jan. 23 to discuss ways to reward existing fire department volunteers and incentivize new ones to join.

The draft ordinance proposes volunteer firefighters who reside in Allen Township would receive a 100% real estate tax credit. Nonresident firefighters would also receive a payment calculated by multiplying the assessed value of their property and the Allen Township real estate tax rate. The payment cannot exceed the amount that would be paid to the volunteer’s home municipality.

Supervisor Gary Behler expressed concern about the fairness of the ordinance. Some firefighters, he said, might get double what others would get for doing the same job. Basing the credit on earned income will likely cause the same issues.

The board also discussed reimbursing volunteers for mileage or per call.

Supervisor and fire Chief Dale Hassler said the program isn’t a “cure-all” but stressed something needs to be done sooner rather than later. He was concerned volunteers might start jumping departments to receive some kind of compensation.

“It’s crazy all across the state because there is not a uniform way to address it,” Solicitor Lincoln Treadwell said, as the board struggled to make the program fair for all volunteers.

Treadwell also pointed out the board has to be careful not to end up in a place where its program is paying volunteer firefighters.

The board decided to table the ordinances for further discussion.

In other business, NA Studios unveiled the township’s new website, which features a new logo, security upgrades, an AI chatbot and accessibility components.

Supervisors approved a motion temporarily closing the dog park, effective Feb. 12 until late April.

The board was expected to meet Feb. 27. The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 12 at the municipal building, 4714 Indian Trail Road.