Borough of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Length of Service Awards Program

A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is herewith created in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997 (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.) to reward members of the Volunteer Fire Department and Volunteer Auxiliary Ambulance Squad for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services to the residents of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights.

§ 37-2 Annual contributions.

The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a deferred income account for each volunteer member that meets the criteria set forth below and shall provide that such contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan that shall be established by the Borough Council pursuant to the aforesaid law and that such plan shall be administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and this chapter.

§ 37-3 Criteria for eligibility.

The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member in good standing who meets all of the minimum criteria as follows:

Each member who properly responds to at least 100 emergency calls, which may include ambulance, fire, mutual aid for fire or EMS or standbys called by a Chief;

Each member who attends at least six regularly scheduled meetings, including Company, Department or Squad meetings, in any combination; and

Each member who attends at least six drills, including Company, Department or Squad, in any combination.

§ 37-4 Vesting.

Five calendar years of service are required for vesting; service rendered prior to the adoption of this chapter and since January 1, 1995, shall be credited.

§ 37-5 Points system.

[Amended 2-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2478]

The amount of the annual contributions shall be based upon the number of points earned by each member in the prior calendar year in accordance with the Volunteer Services Points Schedule attached to this chapter and applied to the following original 2002 Annual Contribution Schedule:

Number of Points	Annual Contribution
0 to 99	$0
100 to 120	$650
121 to 140	$750
141 to 160	$850
161 to 180	$950
181 to 200	$1,050
201 and higher	$1,150

The estimated total cost of the program in 2002, the original year in which these awards were granted, was calculated to be $58,650.

§ 37-6 Annual optional increases in awards.

[Amended 2-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2478]

Beginning in 2003 and in each year thereafter, the governing body may, by resolution, grant to each qualified Department member an increase in award to be calculated by the Chief Financial Officer of this Borough pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40a:14-185f, provided such increased contribution does not exceed a number calculated by multiplying the original contribution as approved by public question by the consumer price index factor. As used in this section, "consumer price index factor" means a fraction the denominator of which shall be the Revised Consumers Price Index - All Items, Philadelphia Area (1967-100)" (the "CPI") published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the month in which the Length of Service Awards Program passes public question and whose numerator shall be the CPI for the most recent month available at the time the increased contribution or benefit takes effect. If the publication of the CPI is discontinued, the director shall issue regulations pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq.

§ 37-7 Schedule of points for services.

Each active volunteer member in good standing of either the Volunteer Fire Department or the Volunteer Auxiliary Ambulance Squad shall be credited with points for volunteer services actually provided and not rendered while in the employ of the Borough or the County of Bergen as part of such employment in accordance with the attached schedule which is made a part hereof by reference.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Said schedule is included as an attachment to this chapter.