Councilman: LOSAP Not Distributed Fairly

The council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday to approve a list of Bridgewater first aid and rescue squad members who qualify as part of the length of service awards program [LOSAP]—but they questioned whether these awards are being divvied up fairly.

The program, established by the township, rewards active members of all the different rescue squads for their service to the township. It provides fixed annual contributions for each member to a deferred-income account when the person meets certain agreed-upon criteria, and earns a total of 500 points through that criteria.

For 2011, the contribution is $1,246.79, and is being paid to a total of 31 volunteers.

But council members questioned the criteria set in place for these awards.

"I continue to be vexed because I see people getting rewards without responding to a single call," Councilman Howard Norgalis said. "I realize they are probably doing background work. But I think the essence of this is to increase responses in support of residents."

"The essence is getting on the road and responding to calls," he added. "Those who do not respond to calls should not be receiving these benefits."

Councilman Matthew Moench questioned why a few of the recipients are not even Bridgewater residents.

Norgalis said that because they work in the township, they are allowed to be part of the rescue squads, which qualifies them for the LOSAP program.

Council President Allen Kurdyla said he believes the points structure created through the LOSAP program allows for different activities to receive credit, including answering calls and doing other background work.

"They are activities that the members have performed to qualify to establish points for payment," he said. "I think that as in any organization, everyone has a hand in making the organization work."

According to Township Administrator James Naples, the points system was initially established by the individual squads, but in 2006, council members expressed concerns that each squad had its own points system.

"So the captains came up with one, and now they are pretty close to the same," he said. "They did come up with a matrix that we could all agree to."

But Moench said he is not sure that that matrix really addresses the concerns of the council.

"People get points for being an officer, and then they get points for attending meetings as the officer," he said. "But that's part of the job. I know that some people are more favored than others."

Councilman Filipe Pedroso said he would like to see more focus on answering calls.

"I would like the point system weighed more heavily on footwork and answering calls," he said.

The council reluctantly agreed to approve the resolution and award the LOSAP payments for this year, but Naples said he would set up a meeting with the captains and council representative Pedroso to discuss new terms for the program.