Borough of Chatham, NJ Length of Service Awards Program

The Borough deems it appropriate and necessary to act to ensure retention of existing members and to provide them incentives for recruiting new volunteer members for the Chatham Emergency Squad (CES); and

The Borough has determined that the creation of a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) will enhance the ability of the Borough to retain and recruit volunteer CES members.

As the CES services both the Borough and the Township of Chatham averaging roughly equal number of service calls each year, the Borough and the Township will be concurrently approached to place this on the next general ballot and to equally divide the LOSAP cost each year (as described further in the appropriate section below).

§ 33-2 Creation of LOSAP.

LOSAP is created, in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997 (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.), to reward active volunteer members of CES for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of the Borough and the Township.

§ 33-3 Annual contribution.

LOSAP shall provide for fixed, annual contributions (with the ability to increase for the cost of living, and increase as LOSAP caps are increased) to a deferred income account for each active member of the CES who meets the criteria set forth below. The criteria may be amended hereafter by amendment to this chapter.

Such contributions shall be made in accordance with the plan as established by the Borough and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, the United States Internal Revenue Code, and this chapter.

§ 33-4 Criteria for eligibility.

[Amended 3-12-2018 by Ord. No. 18-04]

For the purposes of this chapter, "active volunteer member" means a person who has been so designated by the governing board of the Chatham Emergency Squad (CES) and who is faithfully and actually performing volunteer service in the Chatham Emergency Squad. LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible, active volunteer member of the CES, who meets the criteria as follows:

The number of points required for an active year of service for an active volunteer CES member is 100.

Under LOSAP, a year of active emergency service shall be credited for each calendar year in which an active volunteer member accumulates points that are granted in accordance with a schedule adopted by the Township Committee and Borough Council, the sponsoring agencies. The program shall provide that points shall be granted for activities designated by the sponsoring agencies, which activities may include the following:

(1)

Training courses;

(2)

Drills;

(3)

Sleep-in or standby. A "standby" means line of duty activity of the CES, lasting for four hours, not falling under one of the other categories;

(4)

Completion of a one-year elected or appointed position in the organization;

(5)

Election as a delegate to an emergency service convention;

(6)

Attendance at official meetings of the sponsoring agency;

(7)

Participation in emergency responses; or

(8)

Miscellaneous activities including participation in inspections and other nonemergency first aid or rescue activities not otherwise listed.

An active volunteer member of the CES shall not be eligible if on disciplinary probation or inactive status. If a CES member has been on leave of absence (LOA) from duty crews, but is able to attain the points required as stated below within the calendar year, he/she will be considered active and eligible for LOSAP.

Any new, active volunteer member of the CES shall become eligible to participate in LOSAP the calendar year he/she becomes "active" as defined above or is longer in inactive status, so long as the credit points are earned.

§ 33-5 Prior service.

Upon acceptance of LOSAP, a one-time contribution shall be provided. LOSAP shall provide for contributions in the amount of $50 per year for prior services, up to five years, by any active, volunteer member of the CES at the time this program is accepted.

To determine credit for prior services, the standards set forth in § 33-4, Criteria for eligibility (excluding credit points set forth in § 33-4A above), shall be used.

§ 33-6 Costs.

The estimated costs of the program have been calculated as $40,000 per year ($20,000 for the Borough and $20,000 for the Township).

The estimated one-time cost of the program for prior service would be $8,100 ($4,050 for each the Borough and the Township).

§ 33-7 Credit points.

Each active, volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the CES, in accordance with the attached schedules.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: The schedules are included at the end of this chapter.

§ 33-8 Passage and approval by voters.

The attached ballot question and explanatory statement shall be submitted to the Clerk of Morris County for the purpose of presenting said ballot question to the voters of the Borough at the next general election to be held on November 4, 2003.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Approved by the voters of the Borough of Chatham on November 4, 2003.

In the event this chapter is approved by the voters of the Borough and the Township of Chatham, LOSAP shall become effective for the calendar year 2004 as of January 2004.