[Adopted 8-20-1999 by Ord. No. 1999:809]
A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is
hereby created in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997 to reward members of the volunteer firefighters and ambulance
squad members for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the
residents of Borough of Closter.
[Amended 10-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023:1323]
A. 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 Borough of Closter 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 United States
Internal Revenue Code and this article.
B. The maximum
annual contribution to each eligible member of the LOSAP shall increase
automatically without public hearing or public question, in an amount
not to exceed the number calculated by multiplying the original contribution
as approved by public question, as increased from time to time by
resolution of the governing body pursuant to the Act, by the consumer
price index factor. The consumer price index factor shall be established
as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-155.
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions
to each eligible member that meets the criteria as follows:
A. One hundred points are required for a member to be
eligible for an annual contribution.
B. Five years of service are required for vesting.
C. The annual contribution to an eligible member of the
Fire Department shall be $200 to $700 on a sliding-scale basis.
D. The annual contribution to an eligible volunteer service
(ambulance) corp member shall be $600 per member.
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated
as follows:
A. For regular annual services: $34,000 per year.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited
with points for volunteer services provided to the volunteer fire
company/ambulance squad in accordance with the following schedule:
A. Fire Department: see Schedule A.
B. Ambulance and Rescue Squad: see Schedule B.
That this article shall not take effect unless
it is approved by voters as a public question at the next general
election.