The purpose of this article is to establish an incentive program
to increase enrollment in volunteer fire companies and volunteer ambulance
corps within the Borough of Lodi and to reward such volunteers for
their tireless efforts and many hours spent to preserve and protect
the health, safety, property and welfare of the residents of the Borough
of Lodi 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, without compensation.
As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall
have the following meanings:
ACTIVE MEMBER
Individuals who are members in the volunteer fire department
or ambulance corps of the Borough who meet the definition of active
member in accordance with the bylaws, rules and regulations of the
applicable organization and have served at least one year of continuous
service in the organization immediately prior to the certification
required herein.
FAMILY
An active member, his or her spouse, and all natural or adopted
children under the age of 22 years who are unmarried and permanently
occupying the same residence as the active member in the Borough of
Lodi.
FEES
Those charges referred to herein which are or have been established
by the governing body of the Borough of Lodi and are retained as revenue.
Specifically excluded is any portion of the fee which is collected
by the Borough on behalf of another entity, including, but not limited
to, the State of New Jersey, the County of Bergen and any other outside
entity.
Every member in good standing of the Lodi Volunteer Fire Department
or the Lodi Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Squad who qualifies as
per this article, who is performing volunteer services to the Borough,
shall be entitled to the following benefits from the Borough:
A. Exemption from the payment of any Borough of Lodi fees, up to a maximum
of $300 per calendar year, for recreation activities; Borough license
fees for dogs, cats or other animals; building permit fees and fees
for certificates of occupancy, provided it is for a one- or two-family
residence which is or is about to be occupied by the active member
as his/her personal residence or is about to be sold by the active
member; photocopying fees; fees for police accident reports; marriage
licenses; garage sale permits at the residence of the member; dumpster
permits at the residence of the member; driveway permits at the residence
of the member; provided, further, that the fee or charge is for the
personal and nonprofit use of such member in good standing.
B. The exemption
from fees as provided herein shall not exempt the member from obtaining
the license or permit.
C. Building
permit fees or fees otherwise associated with certificates of occupancy
which are exempted herein shall be limited to the construction of
or an addition or alteration to either a one- or two-family dwelling
owned and occupied by an active member of the volunteer organization.
Anything to the contrary herein contained notwithstanding, no
exemption shall be permitted for the following fees:
A. Fees, licenses and permits associated with any for-profit activity.
B. Fees and escrows required by either the Planning Board or the Board
of Adjustment in connection with any site plan, subdivision, conditional
use or variance application.
C. Escrows associated with any engineering inspections.
D. Special event permits, soil removal applications, stream encroachment
permits, sign permits and mercantile licenses.
E. Posting of performance guaranties where required or permitted by
law.