[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Hazlet as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-21-2000 by Ord. No. 1132-00]
The purpose of this article is to establish
an incentive program to increase enrollment in volunteer fire companies,
first aid squads, and Office of Emergency Management and to reward
such volunteers for their tireless efforts and many hours spent to
preserve and protect the health, safety, property and welfare of the
residents of the Township of Hazlet, 24 hours per day, 365 days per
year, without compensation.
As used in this article, the following words
and phrases shall have the following meanings:
Any person who has been certified in writing by the Chief
Executive Officer of a volunteer fire company, volunteer first aid
squad, or office of emergency management within the Township of Hazlet
to have served at least one year of continuous volunteer service in
the company or squad and to possess the necessary certification(s),
license(s) and/or training required by the said company or squad.
Any individual contributing services to a volunteer fire
company, volunteer first aid squad, or office of emergency management
within the Township of Hazlet without remuneration or without a formal
agreement or contract for hire.
The required percentage of activity or participation to qualify
as a bona fide member of a volunteer fire department, volunteer first
aid squad or office of emergency management.
A.Â
The provisions of this article shall be limited solely
to residents of the Township of Hazlet who are volunteers in any volunteer
fire company, volunteer first aid squad or office of emergency management
within the Township and who are certified by the Chief Executive Officer
of their respective volunteer organization as "members in good standing"
of the said organization.
B.Â
Such certification shall be filed annually, not later
than January 15 with the Township Clerk by the Chief Executive Officer
of each volunteer fire company, volunteer first aid squad or volunteer
office of emergency management. A new certification must be filed
each year and the certification from the preceding year shall be null
and void.
Every member in good standing of a volunteer
fire company, volunteer first aid squad or office of emergency management
who is performing volunteer service within the Township of Hazlet
shall be entitled to the following benefits from the Township:
A.Â
Exemption from the payment of any Hazlet Township
fees for Township licenses and permit fees, up to a maximum of $300
per year, provided the fee or charge is for the personal and nonprofit
use of such member in good standing. This section shall not, however,
be construed to apply to fees associated with the Hazlet Swim and
Tennis Club. Where fees include monies payable to the state and/or
county, only the municipal portion of said fees may be waived.
A.Â
Coupon books. Within 20 days after January 15, the Township Clerk shall provide a book of coupons to the said member, which shall be imprinted with a serial number. The said coupons may be presented, alone or in combination, by the member in order to exempt the member from any of the fees specified in § 116-4, in the following manner:
(1)Â
At the time that the member seeks an exemption from
fees, he or she shall present his or her coupon book to the appropriate
authorized Township official or representative, who shall remove the
requested coupons.
(2)Â
The Township official or representative shall provide
a receipt to the member for the amount of the exemption and thereafter
forward the used coupon(s) to the Clerk's Office for filing with a
notation as to the date of use and exemption provided.
(3)Â
Guest books and coupons are not transferable, and
coupons may not be removed from the book by anyone other than an authorized
Township official or representative. Coupons otherwise removed from
the book shall deemed void.
(4)Â
Coupon books shall expire on December 31 of the year
of issuance and any coupons not used as of that date shall be deemed
void.
The Municipal Administrator of the Township
is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this article.
Any person committing an offense against the
provisions of this article shall be guilty of a violation to be punished
by a fine not to exceed $300.
[Adopted 9-4-2001 by Ord. No. 1188-01[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was approved at referendum 3-21-2000.
A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is
herewith created in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997
(N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.), to reward members of the volunteer
Hazlet First Aid Squad for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services
to the residents of the Township of Hazlet.
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 Township
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 article.
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions
for each volunteer member that meets the criteria as provided by the
LOSAP Point System in Schedule A, annexed to this article.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included at the end of this chapter.
The LOSAP shall provide for contributions based
upon prior years of qualified service for no more than 10 years of
service for each eligible volunteer who is certified by the volunteer
service unit of which he/she is a member as having been a qualified,
active member in good standing during each year for which a contribution
is to be made.
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated
to be not more than $59,800 for the first year the LOSAP is in effect
and the estimated cost of the program has been calculated to be not
more than $59,800 for each subsequent year. The estimated cost of
the program has been determined based upon an analysis of the present
membership of the volunteer Hazlet First Aid Squad. The calculations
for the estimated cost of the program are estimated as follows:
A.Â
For regular annual services, the estimated cost of
the program has been calculated to be $31,200. This calculation is
based upon an estimated cost of $600 per qualified active volunteer
member per year. It is estimated that based upon membership in the
volunteer first aid squad at the present time, a maximum of 52 active
volunteer members could qualify by earning at least 50 points under
LOSAP Point System in Schedule A, annexed to this article.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included at the end of this chapter.
B.Â
For prior years service, the estimated cost of the
program has been calculated to be $312,000. This calculation is based
upon an estimated cost of $600 per qualified active volunteer member
per prior year of service, for each of the previous 10 years. It is
estimated that based upon membership in the volunteer first aid squad
at the present time, a maximum of 52 active volunteer members could
qualify for prior years service credits for each of the previous 10
years. The prior years of service credit shall be paid out over a
period of 11 years until paid in full.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited
with points for volunteer services provided to the volunteer first
aid squad in accordance with the criteria as provided in the LOSAP
Point System in Schedule A, annexed to this article.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included at the end of this chapter.
This article shall not take effect unless and
until a public ballot question in a form substantially the same as
the "LOSAP Ballot Question" which is annexed to this article as Schedule
B, is approved by voters, which ballot question is to be placed on
the ballot at the next general election.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule B is on file in the Township offices.
