Property tax reform and the future of municipal police and fire departments were hot- button issues discussed at the Jan. 29 meeting of the Mid Eastern Counties Association of Boroughs, held at Catasauqua Municipal Complex, 90 Bridge St.

State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, in a keynote address and question-and-answer session, spoke on matters of interest to mayors and council members based on their concerns.

McNeill said Democrats were the minority party in Harrisburg, and Republicans have more bills out of committee for vote than Democrats do.

“This is an election year,” McNeill said, providing a better chance the proposed property tax reform can come up for a vote.

There are committees in the state legislature still studying the proposals.

Concerns continue to be raised by senior citizens regarding hikes in real estate taxes. McNeill mentioned a proposal is being contemplated to have sales tax provide relief from property taxes, including school taxes. She mentioned big sales tax items, such as refrigerators and cars, are items that seniors generally purchase less frequently.

However, there was no time table mentioned on when proposals might be brought to the floor for a vote. McNeill said committees spent the summer in meetings, including with constituents.

Steve Travers, Catasauqua Borough manager, remarked fire and police departments could possibly be operated by the county in the future. He mentioned there are reports of fire departments having fewer and fewer volunteers. And boroughs such as Bath already have Pennsylvania State Police providing coverage.

It is an issue they will continue to monitor as time goes by.