[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Hopewell as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-26-2000 by Ord. No. 00-05]
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 firefighters named for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services to the residents of the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.
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 U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and this article.
A. 
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member that meets the criteria as follows:
0 to 34 points
=
$0
35 to 39 points
=
$125
40 to 44 points
=
$250
45 to 49 points
=
$400
50 to 59 points
=
$550
60 to 69 points
=
$700
70 or more points
=
$800
B. 
A member is vested after five years.
[Added 7-11-2024 by Ord. No. 24-08]
A. 
The Township Committee of the Township of Hopewell, in the County of Cumberland, desires to continue to support the Hopewell Township Stow Creek Fire Department volunteer firefighters by raising the contribution in the LOSAP program.
B. 
The Township Committee of the Township of Hopewell authorizes a $225 increase for 2023, a $225 increase for 2024, a $100 increase for 2025, a $100 increase for 2026, and an increase in the amount at the rate of the Philadelphia CPI every year thereafter.
C. 
A certified copy of this section as introduced shall be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services within five days of introduction.
D. 
A certified copy of this section upon adoption, with the recorded vote included thereon, shall be filed with said Director of the Division of Local Government Services within five days after such adoption.
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows:
A. 
For regular annual services: $10,000 per year.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the volunteer fire company in accordance with the following schedule:
A. 
Training classes: Maximum 25 points, one point per training hour; this includes, but is not limited to, company sanctioned events such as:
(1) 
County drills;
(2) 
Tanker task force drills;
(3) 
Driving training courses;
(4) 
Pump operation courses;
(5) 
CPR training;
(6) 
EMT training;
(7) 
RERP training.
B. 
Drills: Maximum 20 points, two points per drill.
C. 
Meetings: Maximum 12 points, one point per meeting; meeting may be a regular, special, or relief meeting.
D. 
Special assignments/extra credit/work details: One point per, maximum of 15 points. Must be a company function or receive approval from office in charge.
E. 
Elected or appointed office: Five points.
F. 
Percentages of attendance at emergencies:
10% to 39%
15 points
40% to 59%
40 points
60% to 100%
50 points
This article shall not take effect unless it is approved by voters as a public question at the next general election. If approved at the next general election this article shall take effect upon final adoption and publication of notice of adoption pursuant to law.