[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township of Howell
by Ord. No. O-89-25, as amended through Ord. No. O-94-27 (Ch. XXVI
of the 1974 Code). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish
an incentive program to increase enrollment in volunteer fire companies
and first aid squads and volunteers for the Office of Emergency Management
Services within the Township of Howell and award such volunteers for
their tireless efforts and many hours spent to preserve and protect
the health, property and welfare of the residents of the Township
of Howell, 24 hours a day, without compensation. The provisions of
this chapter shall be limited solely to residents of the Township
of Howell who are volunteers in any volunteer fire company or volunteer
first aid squad or the Office of Emergency Management Services within
the Township and who are certified as members in good standing, life
members or survivors by the chief executive officer of their respective
volunteer fire company or first aid squad or the Office of Emergency
Management Services. Such certification shall be filed annually, no
later than January 15, with the Township Clerk by the chief executive
officer of each volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid squad
or the Office of Emergency Management Services.
As used in this chapter, the following words
and phrases shall have the following meanings:
The Board of Fire Commissioners when acting as a District
Board, not as individual Fire Commissioners.
[Added 10-5-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-21]
An individual who has participated and given volunteer service
in a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid squad or with the
Office of Emergency Management Services within the Township for the
required number of years of faithful service to the volunteer organization
as established by the bylaws or constitution of said organization
which excuses the individual member from payment of dues and/or maintaining
a certain percentage of attendance at required meetings, drills, etc.,
as the term "life member" may be individually defined by each individual
service organization.
Any person who shall have served at least one year of continuous
volunteer service in a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid
squad or with the Office of Emergency Management Services within the
Township and who shall have been certified as such in writing by the
chief executive officer of such volunteer fire company, volunteer
first aid squad or Office of Emergency Management Services.
The surviving spouse of any individual who died while a volunteer
in any volunteer fire company, volunteer first aid squad or Office
of Emergency Management Services while a member in good standing or
life member as defined in this chapter while said survivor remains
a resident of the Township of Howell.
Any individual contributing services to a volunteer fire
company, volunteer first aid squad or the Office of Emergency Management
Services without remuneration or without a formal agreement for contract
of hire. The receipt of LOSAP benefits or credits by the volunteer,
as provided by law, shall not be considered remuneration for the purpose
of this definition.
[Amended 6-24-2008 by Ord. No. O-08-05]
The required percentage of activity or participation to qualify
as a bona fide member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer first
aid squad or Office of Emergency Management Services.
Every member in good standing or a life member
or survivor of a member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer first
aid squad or the Office of Emergency Management Services (including
any and all exempt members) shall be entitled to the following benefits
from the Township of Howell:
A.
Exemption from the payment of any Howell Township
fees for Howell Township recreation activities and Township training
programs, Township license and permit fees, and fees for the use of
Township buildings and facilities and Township programs (including
any and all municipal library charges), provided that the fee or charge
is for the personal and nonprofit use of such member in good standing.
For any and all fees which include moneys payable to the state and/or
county, only the municipal portion of said fees is to be waived.
B.
The exemptions listed in Subsection A, under the same terms and conditions, shall also apply to inspection fees as currently required by Chapter 188, § 188-46D, to wit, fees for legal services performed by the Township Attorney in connection with a development application, and by § 188-46F, all site plan inspection fees for inspections performed by the Township Engineer, provided said fees are related to applications for improvements to properties owned and operated by the volunteer organizations identified in this organization, which buildings or properties are used for volunteer services or to facilitate said services.
[Added 6-24-2008 by Ord. No. O-08-05]
C.
The Fire District Board shall be exempt from payments for Township permit fees and inspection fees as required by Chapter 188. Specifically, the Fire District Board shall be exempt from those fees set forth in § 188-46D, which relate to fees for legal services performed by the Township Attorney in connection with a development application, and those fees in § 188-46F, which relate to site plan inspection fees. The Fire District Board shall be exempt from those site plan inspection fees for inspections performed by the Township Engineer set forth in § 188-46F, provided that said fees are related to applications for improvements to properties owned and operated by the Board of Fire Commissioners and/or volunteer organizations and which buildings or properties are used for volunteer service or to facilitate volunteer service. Nothing herein shall exempt the Fire District Board from any consulting engineer fees, special counsel legal fees, or state- or county-mandated fees.
[Added 10-5-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-21]
