[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Wood-Ridge 4-7-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-7.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 56 but was renumbered for organizational purposes.
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 Borough's volunteer first responder agencies, the Wood-Ridge Fire Department and the Wood-Ridge Emergency Squad, respectively, for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services to the residents of the Borough of Wood-Ridge.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a deferred income account for each volunteer member that meets the criteria set forth below; such contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan that shall be established by the Borough of Wood-Ridge pursuant to P.L. 1997, c. 388; and such plan shall be administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, the United States Internal Revenue Code, and this article. The Boards of Officers of the Wood-Ridge Fire Department and the Wood-Ridge Emergency Squad, respectively, shall each appoint a member to serve as LOSAP Coordinator of their respective agency for the purpose of administering the LOSAP point system.
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member that meets the criteria and point schedule as follows:
A. 
LOSAP point system. Eighty points are needed for a qualifying year; 120 points for the maximum benefit. Points may be earned and accumulated through service in either the Fire Department or the Emergency Squad or a combination of both up to the maximum benefit. Nothing herein shall be construed as permitting or entitling an individual who is a member of both the Fire Department and the Emergency Squad as being eligible for any additional and/or double benefit in excess of that which is earned by achieving 120 points.
B. 
Benefit point scale: 80 points minimum, 120 points maximum. Points are credited based upon participation. The benefit received is based on the following percentage schedule:
Points Credited
Percentage of Benefit Received
120 or greater
100%
115 to 119
95%
110 to 114
90%
105 to 109
85%
100 to 104
80%
95 to 99
75%
90 to 94
70%
85 to 89
65%
80 to 84
60%
Below 80
0%
C. 
Eligibility. To be an eligible award recipient in the LOSAP plan, a member must complete five cumulative calendar years, which may be a combination of service in the Fire Department and the Emergency Squad. However, individuals who are members of both agencies may not receive "double credit" for the same period of service, i.e., an individual serving simultaneously for three years in both the Fire Department and the Emergency Squad will not be credited with completing six years of service. Partial years are not to be credited towards the award but the same shall be credited towards the benefit percentage. If a member fails to participate in the plan for five years, said member's funds are to be returned to the Borough's general fund. At such time, said funds will be totally removed from the LOSAP plan.
D. 
Partial year credit.
(1) 
Points may be credited based on partial year participation. The partial year credit will affect those members who enter or leave the Department during the calendar year (prior to the end of the plan year, December 31 of each plan year). The points for an incomplete year are prorated for a full year; the benefit received will be 1/12 of percentage rating per months of participation.
(2) 
For example: a person who participates for seven months and accumulates 60 points. Divide 12 by the number of months served (12/7 = 1.71). Multiply the result by the number of points accumulated (1.71 x 60 = 102). The 102 prorated points fall in the 80% category of benefit percentage. The participant will receive 7/12 of the 80% of the benefit.
E. 
Withdrawal. Participants may begin withdrawing funds after reaching the age determined by the plan administrator or the State of New Jersey.
[Amended 3-8-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2]
Eligible members shall receive LOSAP points according to a LOSAP Point Schedule prepared by the LOSAP Coordinator, approved by the Fire Department Board of Officers, and adopted at a public meeting by resolution of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Wood-Ridge.
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated to be $47,150 per year.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for services provided to the volunteer Wood-Ridge Fire Department and/or the volunteer Wood-Ridge Emergency Squad in accordance with the schedule set forth hereinabove.