A Kingwood Township Length of Service Awards
Program, hereinafter referred to as "LOSAP" is herewith created in
accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997, and shall be administered by the provisions thereunder,
and for the purpose of rewarding members of the Kingwood Township
Volunteer Fire Company and Kingwood Township First Aid and Rescue
Squad for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents
of the Township of Kingwood.
All words and phrases used in this chapter shall
be defined as set forth in the definition section of the enabling
statute, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-184, or as may be amended.
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions
to a deferred income account for each volunteer member that meets
the criteria set forth below. Such contributions shall be made in
accordance with a plan that shall be established by the Township of
Kingwood pursuant to P.L. 1997, c. 388; and such plan shall be administered
in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations of the
State of New Jersey, the United States Internal Revenue Code and this
chapter.
The LOSAP shall provide for the annual contributions
of $500 to each eligible member (commencing the calendar year 1999)
that meets the criteria as follows:
A. Active full-time volunteers in good standing.
B. Minimum of 50 points required per calendar year.
C. Points attained in strict conformance with schedule set forth in §
28-7 below.
D. Any proposed bylaw change by either the Fire Company
or First Aid Squad which in any way affects or alters the calculation
or award of points or criteria must first be submitted to and approved
by resolution of the Township Committee.
E. There shall be no "excusal policy" for any volunteer
because of sickness, business or otherwise. Each required point must
be earned in order to qualify.
F. The Volunteer Fire Company and First Aid Squad shall
each maintain separate records on each active volunteer on forms approved
by the Township Committee (which may be amended by resolution of the
Township Committee), and subject to review and audit by the Township
Committee or its designated representative.
G. The Volunteer Fire Company and First Aid Squad shall
provide to the Township Committee an annual certification no later
than January 21 of each calendar year, certified under oath, identifying
all active volunteer members who have qualified for credit for the
previous year. The certified list shall be reviewed and approved by
the Township Committee, which thereafter shall return the approved
list to each participating emergency service organization for posting
in their respective buildings for a period of at least 30 days for
review by members.
H. The certification records for prior years' service shall be provided as set forth in Subsections
F and
G above, as well as any other information as requested by the Township Committee.
[Amended 11-4-2021 by Ord. No. 21-20-2021]
The LOSAP shall provide for contributions as
credit for no more than five years of prior years services' for each
eligible volunteer in the annual contribution amount of $300 for each
eligible year, upon audited review of eligibility requirements and
approval by the Township.
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated
as follows:
A. For regular annual services $7,000 per year for the
Kingwood Township Volunteer Fire Company and $3,000 per year for the
Kingwood Township First Aid and Rescue Squad for a total of $10,000
per year.
[Amended 6-3-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15-2021]
B. For contributions for prior years' service at the
rate of $300 per year per eligible volunteer for an estimated total
contribution of $19,500.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited
with points for volunteer services provided to the Kingwood Township
Volunteer Fire Company and Kingwood Township First Aid and Rescue
Squad in accordance with the following schedule:
A. Kingwood Township Volunteer Fire Company.
(1) LOSAP point system, Kingwood Fire Company: minimum
50 points to qualify.
(2) Call and stand-by participation: thirty-point maximum;
at least 10 points must be earned in this area.
[Amended 6-3-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15-2021]
(b)
Twenty-five percent to 35.9%: 20 points.
(c)
Fifteen percent to 24.9%: 10 points.
(3) Training: twenty-point maximum; one point for each
two hours of training attended.
(4) Drills and demonstrations: twenty-point maximum; one
point for each drill physically attended. Excused absences do not
count. One point for each demonstration participated in.
(5) Elected position: twenty-point maximum; five points
for each elected position held for a full year.
(6) Meetings: twenty-point maximum; one point for each
regular or special meeting physically attended. Excused absences do
not count.
(7) Miscellaneous: twenty-point maximum; one point for
every two hours devoted to Fire Company business, such as but not
limited to rig maintenance, buildings and grounds maintenance, fund
raising, banquets, etc.
B. Kingwood Township First Aid and Rescue Squad.
(1) LOSAP point system, Kingwood Rescue Squad: minimum
50 points to qualify.
(2) Call and stand-by participation: thirty-point maximum;
at least 10 points must be earned in this area.
[Amended 6-3-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15-2021]
(b)
Thirty percent to 39.9%: 20 points.
(c)
Twenty percent to 29.9%: 10 points.
(3) Training: twenty-point maximum; one point for each
credit toward recertification.
(4) Drills and demonstrations: twenty-point maximum; one
point for each drill physically attended. Excused absences do not
count. One point for each demonstration participated in.
(5) Elected position: twenty-point maximum; five points
for each elected position held for a full year.
(6) Meetings: twenty-point maximum; one point for each
regular or special meeting physically attended. Excused absences do
not count.
(7) Miscellaneous: twenty-point maximum; one point for
every two hours devoted to Rescue Squad business, such as but not
limited to rig maintenance, buildings and grounds maintenance, fund
raising, banquets, etc.
Contributions made under the LOSAP shall vest
at the rate of 20% per calendar year so that the contribution for
a given year will be fully vested after five calendar years. By way
of example, a contribution for services in 1999, and made after certification
and approval in 2000, will be fully (100%) vested as of January 1,
2005. In the event that the volunteer attains the age of 65, or in
the event of death or permanent disability, all amounts in the volunteer's
benefit program shall be fully vested as of the date of the said occurrence.
This chapter shall not take effect unless it
is approved by voters as a public question at the next general election.