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.