Nesquehoning is looking to help volunteer emergency responders through a tax credit program that gives them a credit for their earned income and property taxes.

Those credits are up to $200 each based on the volunteer’s eligibility in the program, annual income and property they reside.

Last week, borough council voted to advertise its proposed Act 172 (Volunteer Service Credit Program) ordinance.

The proposed ordinance establishes a tax credit program for volunteer firefighters who are members of Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1, New Columbus Fire Company or Hauto Volunteer Fire Company. Also listed as an eligible entity is the Nesquehoning Ambulance Service, which is disbanding on Dec. 23.

“The goal of the program is to encourage membership and services in the community’s volunteer fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical service agencies serving the Borough of Nesquehoning,” the proposed ordinance says.

The program will include a number of criteria a volunteer must meet, including the number of emergency response calls he or she responds to, the level of training and participation in trainings and drills, the total amount of time expended by the volunteer on administrative or other support services, involvement in other events and projects that aid the volunteer fire company’s financial viability or operations, and the total number of years the volunteer has served.

Nesquehoning Borough Council will act on the ordinance at its next meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19.

In other ordinance matters, the borough adopted an amended prohibited parking ordinance and voted to advertise a dumpster ordinance.

In the prohibited parking ordinance, council added no parking will be allowed on the north side of East Catawissa Street from Route 93 to 300 feet west of the intersection of Route 93; the west side of Route 93 from East Catawissa Street to 250 feet north of the East Catawissa Street intersection; the west side of Ratcliff Street from Catawissa to Railroad Street; the south side of High Street from Allen Street to Mermon Avenue; and the south side of Mill Street from Mermon Avenue to Hazard Street.

In the proposed dumpster ordinance, anyone obtaining a dumpster for projects that would be placed on the street must purchase a permit for $50.

It also outlines timelines, placement and use restrictions of dumpsters on borough streets.