Township of Mansfield, NJ Chapter 62 Volunteer Services

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Mansfield as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Fire Department — See Ch. 21.

Article I Length of Service Awards Program

[Adopted 8-8-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-9]

§ 62-1 Creation of program.

A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is herewith created in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997[1] to reward members of the volunteer fire company and first aid organizations for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services to the residents of the Township of Mansfield.

[1] Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-185 et seq.

§ 62-2 Annual contributions.

The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to a deferred income account for each volunteer member that meets the criteria set forth below; that such contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan that shall be established by the Township pursuant to P.L. 1997, c. 388; and that such plan shall be administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, the United States Internal Revenue Code, and this article.

§ 62-3 Criteria for eligibility.

The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member that meets the criteria as follows:

A. During the calendar year for which a volunteer member can be eligible, the volunteer member must earn at least 25 points from any combinations of categories on the following list.

(1) Regular meetings, 15 points maximum:

(a) One point each for attending regular meeting of the Franklin Fire Co. No. 1 (the Fire Co.) or the Mansfield Township Ambulance Corp. (the Ambulance Corp.).

(b) Three points will be given for 100% attendance.

(2) Regular drills, 15 points maximum:

(a) One point each for attending regular drills of the Fire Co. or the Ambulance Corp.

(b) Three points will be given for 100% attendance.

(3) Emergency calls, 35 points maximum:

(a) Dispatched calls from Burlington County for the Fire Co.:

	Percentage	Points
	50% +	35
	31% to 49%	30
	25% to 30%	25
	15% to 24%	15
	10% to 15%	10

(b) Dispatched calls from Burlington County for the Ambulance Corp. (Volunteer):

	Percentage	Points
	25%+	35
	16% to 20%	30
	11% to 15%	25
	9% to 10%	15
	5%	10

(4) Fire Co./Ambulance Corp. positions, 10 points maximum:

(a) If more than one position is held, only ten-point maximum.

[1] Ten points for Chief and/or President.

[2] Five points for all other line officers, all other executive officers, Relief Association President, Secretary and Treasurer.

[3] Five points for an active volunteer elected to serve as a delegate to the New Jersey State First Aid Council, and/or Burlington County First Aid Council.

(5) Classes, 25 points maximum:

(a) Any class approved by the Fire Co. or the Ambulance Corp.:

[1] Classes under 20 hours: one point per hour; maximum 10 points.

[2] Classes 25 to 45 hours: one point per hour; maximum 15 points.

[3] Classes over 45 hours: 20 points.

(6) Nonemergency events, 10 points maximum:

(a) One point each.

(b) The following will qualify:

[1] Special assignment.

[2] Special drill.

[3] Fundraiser.

[4] Parade.

[5] Funeral.

[6] Fire prevention.

[7] Ambulance Corp. committees (three-point maximum).

[8] Any event at Chief's or President's discretion.

(7) Duty crews, five points maximum:

	Months	Points
	10 to 12	5
	9	4
	7	3
	6	2

(8) The amount credited to the deferred-income account of each eligible member is determined as follows:

(a) For purposes of this article, the initial dollar value per point shall be $20. Furthermore, for purposes of this article, the Township shall appropriate $36,000 in the year 2002 budget for the LOSAP. A volunteer member's contribution is then determined by multiplying points earned by the point value. Contribution per eligible volunteer member is $100, and the maximum annual contribution per eligible volunteer member shall not exceed $1,150.

(b) The dollar value per point as well as the minimum annual contribution and the maximum annual contribution per eligible volunteer member shall be adjusted yearly in accordance with the percentage difference in the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index as established annually. Township contributions to individual eligible volunteer member accounts shall be made during the month of March of the following year.

(c) There shall be a thirty-day review and a thirty-day challenge period for each individual eligible volunteer member account.

(9) A list of the eligible volunteer members and the amount of contribution per each eligible volunteer member account shall be submitted to the Township Finance office and the Clerk/Administrator's office for review monthly and for the current year no later than January 10 of the following year. Any payout of an individual eligible volunteer member account shall be made in the month of March of the year following a request for payout.

§ 62-4 Estimated cost.

The estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows:

A. For regular annual services: $36,000 per year (includes administrative costs) (estimated for year 2002).

§ 62-5 Points.

Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the volunteer fire company members and first aid in accordance with the preceding schedule in § 62-3 above.

§ 62-6 When effective.

This article shall not take effect unless it is approved by voters as a public question at the next general election.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: This article was approved at the general election held November 6, 2001.

Article II Tuition Credit Program

[Adopted 6-27-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-10]

§ 62-7 Municipal participation.

The Township of Mansfield (Township) hereby chooses to participate in the tuition credit program authorized by N.J.S.A. 18A:71-78.1 et seq.

§ 62-8 Execution of agreements.

The Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute an agreement with eligible volunteers and their family members, pursuant to which said volunteers and family members pledge four years of service to the municipality, either through the Mansfield Township Ambulance Corp. or the volunteer fire company, in exchange for the tuition credit authorized by this statute.

§ 62-9 Letters of eligibility.

The Township Clerk is hereby authorized to issue letters of eligibility in favor of any volunteers first approved by the Township Committee, stating that said individual is a member in good standing of the respective organization.