[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of New Providence 8-14-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-5. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire department — See Ch. 51.
A. 
The Borough deems it appropriate and necessary to act to ensure retention of existing members and to provide them incentives for recruiting new volunteer members for the New Providence Rescue Squad (NPRS) and the New Providence Fire Department (NPFD); and
B. 
The Borough has determined that the creation of a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) will enhance the ability of the Borough to retain and recruit volunteer NPRS and NPFD members.
LOSAP is created, in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997,[1] to reward active volunteer members of the NPRS and NPFD for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of the Borough.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.
A. 
LOSAP shall provide for fixed, annual contributions to a deferred-income account for each active volunteer member of the NPRS and NPFD who meets the criteria set forth below or hereafter provided by amendment to this chapter.
B. 
Such contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan established by the Borough and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, the United States Internal Revenue Code, and this chapter.
LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible, active volunteer member of the NPRS and NPFD who meets the criteria as follows:
A. 
The number of points required for an active year of service for an active volunteer NPRS or NPFD member is 50.
B. 
An active volunteer member of the NPRS shall not be eligible if on probation or, in the case of an active volunteer member of the NPFD, shall not be eligible if on probation or inactive status.
C. 
The provisions of Subsections A and B are as determined by the bylaws and/or other governing documents of the NPRS or the NPFD, as the case may be, and/or the officers of each respective organization.
D. 
Any new, active volunteer member of the NPRS or the NPFD shall not become eligible to participate in LOSAP until the next calendar year, after coming off probation in the case of the NPRS or NPFD, or in the case of the NPFD only, is no longer on inactive status.
E. 
Current, active volunteer members as of the date that the voters approve LOSAP shall become immediately eligible to participate in LOSAP.
F. 
Any active volunteer member of the NPRS or the NPFD who obtains 50 points or more will receive $500.00 deferred contributions for his/her active volunteer status on the NPRS or NPFD, as the case may be.
G. 
No person who is an active volunteer member of both the NPRS and the NPFD shall be permitted to receive deferred contribution for his/her active status in said organizations for more than $500.
H. 
Any active volunteer member of either the NPRS and/or the NPFD who is receiving a public pension from or through the State of New Jersey shall be permitted to receive such deferred contribution unless otherwise prohibited by law.
A. 
LOSAP shall provide for prior years' credit up to a maximum of 10 years of active emergency service periods prior to the establishment of the program. Such credit will be granted to the active volunteer and credited to the active volunteer in the first year of the program.
B. 
Credit for service prior to the establishment of the LOSAP shall be awarded to an active volunteer who has earned at least 50 points in accordance with the LOSAP point system as established by the Borough. It shall be the responsibility of the volunteer agency to review prior membership records and certify the credits to the Borough.
C. 
Credit for service prior to the establishment of the LOSAP shall be credited in the amount of $50 per year for each year certified in accordance with § 66-5B of this chapter, up to a maximum of 10 years of service or $500.
The estimated costs of the program have been calculated as $50,000 per year.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the NPRS or the NPFD in accordance with the attached schedules.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said schedules are included at the end of this chapter.
A. 
The attached ballot question and explanatory statementEditor's Note: The text of the ballot question and explanatory statement are on file with Ord. No. 2000-5 in the Borough offices. shall be submitted to the Clerk of Union County for the purpose of presenting said ballot question to the voters of the Borough at the next general election to be held on November 7, 2000.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The voters did approve Ord. No. 2000-5 at said general election.
B. 
In the event this chapter is approved by the voters of the Borough, LOSAP shall become effective for calendar year 2001 as of January 1, 2001.