[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council
of the Township of Manchester by Ord. No. 02-014 (Sec. 2-76 of the 1996 Revised
General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire department — See Ch. 34.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish
a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) for active volunteer members
of the Township's emergency service organizations. The LOSAP program
is designed to enhance the ability of the Township to provide fire
aid protection and help the fire and first aid squads recruit and
maintain membership.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183, there is hereby
established, within the Township of Manchester, an emergency services
volunteer Length of Service Award Program, hereinafter referred to
as "LOSAP."
The LOSAP program shall provide for the fixed
annual contribution to a tax-deferred income account for each eligible
volunteer fire and first aid member that satisfy criteria set forth
in this chapter.
The LOSAP program shall provide for an annual
contribution for each eligible volunteer member who accumulates 100
points during a calendar year pursuant to a point system attached
hereto and made a part hereof.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The point system schedule,
as amended, may be found on file in the office of the Township Clerk.
The annual contribution amount for each year
of future service for each eligible volunteer member shall be $1,150.
The estimated annual cost of this provision of the LOSAP program shall
be based on 125 members for a total cost of $143,750.
The LOSAP program shall be deemed effective
after approval and ratification by the Township voters at the next
general election.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Length of Service Award
Program established herein received approval from the voters of Manchester
Township in the November 2002 General Election.
After ratification of the LOSAP as provided
in this chapter, the maximum annual contribution may be increased
without public hearing or public question provided such increased
contributions do not exceed the number calculated by multiplying the
original contribution as approved by public question by the consumer
price index factor. The consumer price index factor shall be established
as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-185.
Any amounts appropriated annually for a LOSAP
program shall be included in the budget of the municipality as a separate
line item.
[Added 2-23-2004 by Ord. No. 04-004]
A.
That pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-191, each participating
emergency service organization shall furnish to the sponsoring agency
an annual certification list, certified under oath, by three senior
officers of the emergency service organization, of all volunteer members,
which shall identify those active volunteer members who have qualified
for credit under the award program for the previous year. The certification
shall be based on records maintained by the emergency service organization
in accordance with the adopted point system. The certification shall
be presented within 30 days of the plan anniversary date. The certification
shall include the following language: "I do solemnly declare and certify
under the penalties of the law that the within list of volunteer members
qualified for credit under the LOSAP program is correct in all its
particulars; that the services have been rendered in accordance with
the point system established; that no points have been given to any
member that has not been earned within the knowledge of this certifying
officer; and that the points awarded have been earned pursuant to
and in accordance with the LOSAP program established."
B.
Upon receiving the certified list from the participating
emergency service organization, the Chief Financial Officer of the
Township shall, within 30 days, review it and request any records
or other backup that is deemed necessary in order to substantiate
the information provided. The approved list of active certified volunteer
members shall be returned to each participating emergency service
organization and posted for at least 30 days for review by members.
