[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Gloucester City 7-23-2009 by Ord. No. O24-2009. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and Common Council that:
A. 
A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is herewith created in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997, to reward members of the volunteer firefighter organization for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services to the residents of the City of Gloucester City.
B. 
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed 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 City of Gloucester City 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 ordinance.
C. 
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member that meets the criteria as follows:
(1) 
Must attend 50% of each of the following: fire calls, drills and training. To be eligible, all participants must meet all federal and state mandated training requirements.
(2) 
Five years of service are required for vesting; and
D. 
The LOSAP shall provide for contributions as credit for no more than five years of prior service for each eligible volunteer in accordance with the following schedule: an active member with five or more of eligible prior service credit shall receive $1,000 for five years such credit, payable at the rate of $200 per year.
E. 
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows:
(1) 
For regular annual services: $25,000 per year.
(2) 
For contributions for prior years' service: $5,000 per year for an estimated five years.
F. 
Membership start date shall be November 1 and must serve one full year to be eligible.
G. 
This ordinance shall not take effect unless it is approved by voters as a public question at the next general election.
H. 
The following referendum question shall be submitted to the voters of the City of Gloucester City at the November 3, 2009 General Election:
Shall the City of Gloucester City be authorized to establish a Length of Service Awards Program for the volunteer firefighters that serve the City in accordance with 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 and in accordance with the schedule adopted by the City of Gloucester City.
(2) 
The proposed maximum annual contribution for an active volunteer member is $500.
(3) 
For contributions for prior years' services: $200 per year for an estimated five years.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Length of Service Awards Program was approved by the voters of the City of Gloucester City at the November 3, 2009 General Election.