[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater 7-1-2002 by Ord. No. 02-08. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A length of service awards program (program) is hereby created in accordance
with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997 (Emergency Services Volunteer Length
of Service Award Program Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.), to reward active
members of the Bridgewater First Aid and Rescue Squads, namely the Martinsville
Rescue Squad, Bradley Gardens Rescue Squad, Green Knoll Rescue Squad and Finderne
Rescue for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of
the Township of Bridgewater.
The program 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 Township of Bridgewater pursuant to P.L. 1997, c. 388[1], and such plan shall be administered in accordance with the laws
of the State of New Jersey, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and this Chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.
The program shall provide for annual contributions to each active member
that meets the criteria as follows:
A.
A minimum of 500 annual service points are required for
a member of the Bridgewater First Aid Squad and Rescue Squads to be eligible
for an annual contribution to the program, calculated in accordance with the
Bridgewater First Aid and Rescue Squad LOSAP service point system;
B.
Five years of service is required for vesting to distribute
fund;
C.
The maximum annual contribution shall not exceed the amounts detailed below for the corresponding year per eligible member, or one tax point, as provided in § 17-4, whichever sum is less:
|
Year
|
Annual Contribution to Each Eligible Member
| |
|---|---|---|
|
2003
|
$400
| |
|
2004
|
$650
| |
|
2005
|
$900
| |
|
2006
|
$1,150
| |
|
2007
|
$1,150 plus amount adjusted for consumer price index increases [N.J.S.A.
40A:14-185(f)]
|
D.
A member of a designated first aid squad whose certification
has been previously approved by the Bridgewater Township Council and who has
obtained 500 annual service points on an annual basis prior to the year of
death of that member and that member dies prior to the five years vesting
required by the chapter shall be eligible to have the accrued annual contributions
made by the Township prior to the time of death of the member paid to a beneficiary
designated by the member. This subsection shall apply to claims made on behalf
of a deceased member from January 1, 2006, forward.
[Added 8-20-2007 by Ord. No. 07-10]
The estimated cost of the program shall be calculated by the CFO. The
yearly contribution of this program shall not be greater than the sum of one
net tax point per any given year. The Chief Financial Officer of the Township
of Bridgewater shall determine annually the net valuation taxable rate of
the community for purposes of calculating the amount of the net tax point.
The Bridgewater First Aid and Rescue Squads shall be credited with points
for volunteer services provided to the Bridgewater First Aid and Rescue Squads,
in accordance with the Bridgewater First Aid and Rescue Squad LOSAP service
point system, annexed as Schedule 1.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said schedule is on file in the Township offices.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-191, the First Aid and Rescue Squad
Presidents shall furnish to the Township Council an annual list, certified
under oath, of all volunteer members, which shall identify those active volunteer
members who have qualified for credit under the award program for the previous
year by January 10 of the new year. Except for a medical leave due to an injury
sustained in the line of duty, a leave of absence or medical leave in excess
of three months shall disqualify the member from eligibility for a credit
for that year. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a volunteer
member may request that that member's name be deleted from the list as a participant
in the length of service awards program. A request for deletion shall be in
writing and shall remain effective until withdrawn in the same manner.
The Township Council shall review the annual certification list furnished
by the First Aid and Rescue Squad Presidents. The Township Council may request
any records or other documentation necessary to substantiate the information
provided. Upon finding that the list is accurate, the Council shall approve
the final list, and shall approve it no later than February 1 of the current
year. Upon approval by resolution of the Township Council, the list shall
be posted at the office of the Municipal Clerk, at the library, and a copy
returned to the First Aid and Rescue Squads for posting pursuant to N.J.A.C.
5:30-14.10.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-188, a member whose name does not appear
on the approved list, may appeal the posting. The appeal shall be within 30
days of the list's posting. The appeal shall be made in writing and mailed
by certified mail, return receipt requested to the Municipal Clerk. The Township
Council shall investigate the appeal and render a written decision regarding
the appeal within 30 days of the Municipal Clerk's receipt of the appeal.
This chapter shall take effect upon presentation as a public question
at the next general election, and ratification by the voters, in accordance
with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183, et seq.
The following referendum question shall be submitted to the voters of
the Township of Bridgewater at the 2002 general election.[1]
|
Shall the Township of Bridgewater establish a Length of Service Awards
Program for the volunteer first aid and rescue squad volunteers that serve
the Township, pursuant to the following terms and conditions:
| |||
|
1.
|
This 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 Township of Bridgewater.
| ||
|
2.
|
The annual contribution shall not exceed $400 per eligible member for
2003, $650 per eligible member for 2004, $900 per eligible member for 2005,
$1,150 per eligible member for 2006, and $1,150 per eligible member for 2007,
plus adjustments for the consumer price index for future years, or as provided
below in number 3, whichever is the lesser amount and up to the maximum of
number 3. The estimated cost for 2003 will range between $33,200 and $40,000,
and shall increase each year thereafter.
| ||
|
3.
|
The yearly contribution of this program shall not be greater than the
sum of one tax point per any given year. The net valuation taxable rate of
the community shall calculate this tax point.
| ||
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was subject to a referendum and was
approved at the general election held 11-5-2002.
