[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Ho-Ho-Kus as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 8-20-2002 by Ord. No. 857]
A Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) is hereby created to reward
members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance
Corps, Inc., for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the
residents of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for
volunteer services provided to the Volunteer Fire Department/Ambulance
Corps in accordance with the schedules attached hereto[1]:
A.
Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department: Schedule A.
B.
Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.: Schedule B.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said schedules are included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Amended 8-26-2014 by Ord. No. 1030; 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-82]
The annual stipend for each eligible member shall be up to $2,000
per year.
[Amended 8-26-2014 by Ord. No. 1030; 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-82]
The estimated annual cost of the program has been calculated
as follows: not to exceed $2,000 per year for eligible EMT members
and $1,000 per year for eligible driver-lifter members of the Volunteer
Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Inc.
Nothing in this VIP program is intended to change the status
of the Volunteer Fire Department and/or Volunteer Ambulance Corps,
it being the intent and purpose herein that both organizations remain
as volunteer organizations by law.
Nothing in this VIP is intended to create an employer-employee
relationship between a volunteer firefighter or Ambulance Corps member
and the Borough.
Nothing in this VIP will entitle any volunteer firefighter or
Ambulance Corps member to any medical, pension or other like benefits
provided by the Borough to its employees.
Any person who is a member of both the Volunteer Fire Department
and Ambulance Corps will be eligible to earn points for services to
both organizations.
An employee of the Borough who is also a volunteer firefighter
and/or Ambulance Corps member will not be entitled to earn points
while performing such volunteer services during regular work hours.
This article shall not take effect unless it is approved by
the voters as a public question at the next general election.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This article was approved by the voters at
the general election held November 5, 2002.
[Adopted 6-23-2004 by Ord. No. 890]
[Amended 2-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-20]
In recognition of the time and effort donated to the Borough and its citizens, it is the intent of this article to exempt certain volunteers defined in § 80-12 from certain fees imposed by the Borough.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A resident of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus who is an active member
in good standing in the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department, the Ho-Ho-Kus
Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Office of Emergency Management, the
Recreation Commission, the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee,
the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, the Library Board
or the Board of Health. "Good standing" shall also include current
compliance with all municipal, federal and safety mandated programs
as may be applicable.
[Amended 2-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-20; 1-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-77]
An active volunteer member, his or her spouse and all natural
or adopted children under 21 years of age who are unmarried and permanently
occupying the same residence as an active volunteer member in the
Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus.
Those charges established by the governing body of Ho-Ho-Kus,
County of Bergen.
Includes all active members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department,
the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Office of Emergency Management,
the Recreation Commission, the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee,
the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, the Library Board
and the Board of Health who have satisfactorily completed their probationary
period, if applicable, and are in good standing either within their
respective organizations or their board or commission memberships
and whose property taxes or any receivables due to the Borough of
Ho-Ho-Kus are not in arrears.
[Amended 2-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-20; 1-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-77]
All qualified volunteers as described herein and their families
shall be entitled to the following benefits:
A.
Exemption from the municipal portion of dog, cat and marriage licenses.
B.
Exemption from the municipal portion of the fee for building permit
applications, fence permits and certificates of compliance/approval
for the volunteer's primary residence.
C.
Exemption
from the Borough Planning Board and Board of Adjustment application
fees.
A.
Not later than January 10 of each calendar year, the Fire Chief of
the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department, the Captain of the Ho-Ho-Kus
Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Emergency Management Director, the
Chairpersons of the Zoning and Planning Boards, the Chairperson of
the Recreation Commission, the Chairperson of the Shade Tree and Beautification
Committee, the Chairpersons of the Library Board and Board of Health
shall submit to the Borough Clerk a list of all residents who meet
the definition of an active member in good standing and whose property
taxes or any receivables due to the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus are not in
arrears. Such list shall be updated on a periodic basis by the volunteer
organization or boards to add those individuals who have completed
their probationary status, as applicable, or to delete individuals
who have been removed from membership or who no longer meet the criteria
for active member status.
[Amended 2-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-20; 1-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-77]
B.
On a form provided by the Borough Clerk, each active member shall
provide information related to family status to assist municipal officials
to determine eligibility for the waiving of fees.
C.
All active members and their families must comply with all registration
procedures and complete all application forms established by the Borough
of Ho-Ho-Kus.
No exemptions shall be allowed for the following:
In the event any question or dispute arises under this article,
the Mayor and Council shall decide such matters, and their decision
shall be final.
