A Length of Service Award 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 following volunteer
fire-fighting/first aid organizations for their loyal, diligent, and
devoted services to residents of the Township of Hamilton:
A. Fire department.
(1) Cologne Volunteer Fire Co.
(2) Laureldale Volunteer Fire Co.
(3) Mays Landing Volunteer Fire Co.
(4) Mizpah Volunteer Fire Co.
(5) Weymouth Volunteer Fire Co.
B. Rescue squads.
(1) Mays Landing Volunteer Rescue Squad.
(2) Weymouth Volunteer Rescue Squad.
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
Hamilton pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq., shall be invested
in those investments permitted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15B-3, 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.
This LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions
to each eligible volunteer fire company and rescue squad member that
meets the criteria as set forth as follows:
A. Volunteer fire company members earning a minimum of 100 points per qualifying year based on the point schedule set forth in the attached
Exhibit A.
B. Volunteer rescue squad members earning a minimum of 100 points per qualifying year based on the point schedule set forth in the attached
Exhibit B.
Member qualifying for a year of active service,
defined as a total of 12 months from January 1 to December 31 of a
qualifying year, must earn a minimum of 100 points.
A. No points
will be awarded unless the active volunteer member is participating
(faithfully and actually) in activities on the Length of Service Award
Program point schedule. An exception will be made for any member who
is called to military duty for a period of more than 14 consecutive
days. A copy of the orders, with a written request for LOSAP credit,
shall be presented to the LOSAP Coordinator.
[Added 4-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1986-2022]
The Chief of each qualified organization shall
be the certifying officer. Certifying reports shall be submitted to
the Township Clerk no later than March 15 of each year.
[Amended 8-1-2005 by Ord. No. 1537-2005
The estimated cost of the program shall be calculated
as follows:
A. Annual contribution for each eligible member: a minimum
of $400 and a maximum of $1,000.
B. Total annual contribution: a minimum of $93,032 and
a maximum of $232,000 per year.
C. No credit for service rendered prior to the establishment
of this service award program shall be provided under this chapter.
D. No participant in the plan shall be required to make
any contribution.
This chapter shall not take effect unless it
is approved by Township voters as a public question at the next general
election.
The following referendum question shall be submitted
to the voters of the Township of Hamilton at the November 2, 1999,
general election:
Shall the Township of Hamilton be authorized
to establish a Length of Service Awards Program for the volunteer
fire fighters and rescue squad members that serve Hamilton Township
pursuant to the following terms and conditions.
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a.
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The program shall provide for annual contributions
to a deferred income account for each active volunteer member that
meets the eligibility criteria and in accordance with the schedule
adopted by the Township of Hamilton.
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b.
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The proposed maximum annual contribution for
an active volunteer member shall be no less than one hundred ($100.00)
dollars, and no more than four hundred ($400.00) dollars.
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c.
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The estimated cost of the program has been calculated
as follows:
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a.
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For regular annual services: No less than twenty
one thousand ($21,000.00) dollars and no more than eighty-four thousand
($84,000,00) dollars per year.
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Yes:
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No:
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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
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The Township of Hamilton has decided to create
a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) for members of the Volunteer
Fire Departments and Rescue Squads that serve the citizens of the
Township of Hamilton. The general requirements for a LOSAP are set
forth in State law N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.
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Each volunteer firefighter and rescue squad
member that perform the required amount of service will have not less
than one hundred ($100.00) dollars nor more than four hundred ($400.00)
dollars per year deposited into a tax deferred income account that
will earn interest for the volunteer.
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The cost will be budgeted annually in the budget
of the Township of Hamilton and is anticipated to be no less than
twenty-one thousand ($21,000.00) dollars and no more than eighty-four
thousand ($84,000.00) dollars.
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Additional details on the program may be found
in the ordinance, adopted by the Township of Hamilton which is available
for public inspection, along with a copy of the State enabling law
at, The Hamilton Township Municipal building, 5101 Thirteenth Street,
Mays Landing, New Jersey 08330.
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Additional details on the program may be found
in Ordinance #1346-99 Adopted by the Township of Hamilton, which is
available for public inspection, along with a copy of the State enabling
law at the Municipal Building, 6101 Thirteenth Street, Mays Landing,
New Jersey 08330.
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All ordinances and parts of ordinances of Hamilton
Township heretofore adopted that are inconsistent with any of the
terms and provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent
of such inconsistency.
If any section, paragraph, subsection, clause
or provision of this chapter shall be declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity
of this chapter as a whole or any part thereof.
This chapter shall not take effect unless it
is approved by the voters of the Township of Hamilton as a public
question at the next general election to be held on November 2, 1999.