A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is hereby created in accordance
with Chapter 388 of the Law of 1997, to reward members of the volunteer firefighters
and ambulance corps members for their loyal, diligent and devoted services
to the residents of the Borough of River Edge.
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a deferred
income account for each active 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 Borough of River Edge pursuant to P.L. 1977,
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
chapter.
Commencing January 1, 2001, LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions
for each eligible member who meets the criteria as follows:
A. As per Schedule A and B attached hereto.
B. Five years of service are required for vesting.
C. The annual contribution shall be $1,000 per eligible
member.
D. The LOSAP shall not provide for any prior years of service.
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows: for
regular annual services, $77,000 per year.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited for volunteer services
provided to the volunteer fire department or ambulance corps in accordance
with the schedule attached hereto.
This chapter shall not take effect unless it is approved by voters as
a public question at the next general election.
Volunteers who are also paid employees of the Borough of River Edge
may not receive credit toward the LOSAP for responses and activities during
their normally scheduled work hours, but are eligible for this incentive for
any of the responses and activities they participate in outside of those work
hours.
A volunteer may only be credited for one LOSAP benefit per year pursuant
to this chapter if that volunteer participates in more than one emergency
service organization within the Borough of River Edge.
The annual maximum LOSAP contribution as set forth herein may be increased
annually in accordance with the changes in the consumer price index (CPI)
as established by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services
within the Department of Community Affairs.
The following referendum question shall be submitted to the voters of
the Borough of River Edge at the November 7, 2000, general election:
SHALL THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE BE AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH A LENGTH
OF SERVICE AWARDS PROGRAM (LOSAP) FOR THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND AMBULANCE
CORPS MEMBERS THAT SERVE THE MUNICIPALITY PURSUANT TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS
AND CONDITIONS:
|
1.
|
The program shall provide for annual contributions to a deferred income
account for each active volunteer member that meets the eligibility criteria
in accordance with the schedules adopted by the Borough of River Edge.
|
2.
|
The proposed annual contribution for an active volunteer member shall
be $1,000.
|
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated to be $77,000
per year (77 active volunteers $1,000 per participating member.)
|
EXPLANATION:
|
THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE HAS DECIDED TO CREATE A LENGTH OF SERVICE
AWARDS PROGRAM (LOSAP) FOR MEMBERS OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AMBULANCE
CORPS THAT SERVES THE CITIZENS OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE. THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
FOR A LOSAP ARE SET FORTH IN STATE LAW (N.J.S.A. 40A:L4-183 ET. SEQ.).
|
EACH VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER/AMBULANCE CORP MEMBER WHO PERFORMS A REQUIRED
MINIMUM AMOUNT OF SERVICE EACH YEAR WILL HAVE THE AMOUNT OF $1,000 DEPOSITED
INTO A TAX DEFERRED INCOME ACCOUNT THAT WILL EARN INTEREST FOR THE VOLUNTEER.
|
THE COST WILL BE BUDGETED ANNUALLY IN THE BUDGET OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVER
EDGE AND IS ANTICIPATED TO BE $77,000 PER YEAR.
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM MAY BE FOUND IN ORDINANCE 1289
ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE, WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION,
ALONG WITH A COPY OF THE STATE ENABLING LAW AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 705
KINDERKAMACK ROAD, RIVER EDGE, NEW JERSEY 07661 DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS.
|