[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Palmer 7-3-1961 as Ord. No. 36. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 3-17-1969 by Ord.
No. 96; 7-11-1972 by Ord.
No. 126; 7-16-1990 by Ord.
No. 234]
A.
All pavements constructed and all curbs and sidewalks
placed on any street in the Township of Palmer, Northampton County, Pennsylvania,
shall meet the requirements of this ordinance and shall be subject to approval
by the Township Engineer.
(1)
CONSTRUCTION OBSERVER
DEVELOPER
ENGINEER
The following terms shall apply:
A representative of the Township or Engineer authorized to observe
any and all construction operations governed by this ordinance.
The individual, partnership, corporation or other entity undertaking
the improvement of land within the Township pursuant to the Subdivision and
Land Development Regulations.
[1]The Township Engineer or his authorized representative.
(2)
Safety. The Engineer, acting on behalf of the Township,
assumes no responsibility for or control over the developer's or his contractor's
safety programs, nor any responsibility for the developer's or his contractor's
work procedures, methods, sequences, techniques of construction, equipment,
etc. Representatives of the Engineer are at the site only on behalf of the
Township to determine compliance with the applicable documents, and to determine
the acceptability of the final product.
(3)
It shall be the responsibility of the developer and/or
his contractors to post the notice to workers (available at the Township Office)
on the project site at a location accessible to all workers.
(4)
The developer and his contractors shall be responsible
for compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances
such as Department of Labor and Industry regulations, state and local blasting
permit requirements, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and other applicable safety codes, etc. The construction observer does not
have the authority to stop the work because of a safety violation.
(5)
Construction observers do not have the authority to approve,
in the field, all changes from the approved plans or specifications. Any and
all requests for deviation from the approved plans or specifications shall
be submitted in writing by the developer to the Engineer and must be accompanied
by supporting engineering data.
(6)
Mix design information for all materials used in constructing
streets, curbs and sidewalks shall be submitted to and approved by the Engineer
prior to the delivery of the materials to the project site. Escrow release
certifications will not be processed until such mix design information has
been submitted and approved.
(7)
No connections shall be made to existing Township streets
without prior approval and without three business days advance notice to the
Township to allow for scheduling of Township observation personnel.
B.
Street construction specifications.
(1)
(2)
Materials.
(a)
(b)
All materials and construction methods used in the construction
of streets shall meet the following requirements as set forth in PennDOT Specifications,
Publication 408, current edition.
|
Material
|
Section
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Subgrade
|
210
| |
|
Subbase
|
350
| |
|
Bituminous concrete base course (BCBC)
|
305
| |
|
Bituminous wearing course ID-2
|
420
| |
|
Plain cement concrete curb
|
630
| |
|
Cement concrete sidewalks
|
676
|
(3)
Construction methods.
(a)
Trenches.
[1]
All utility trenches (such as for sanitary and storm
sewers, waterlines, gas mains, and electrical facilities) within cartways
shall be backfilled in thin layers (not thicker than eight inches) and mechanically
tamped. All trenches shall be allowed to settle for at least 90 days before
permanent subbase course, bituminous concrete base course, or bituminous wearing
course ID-2 pavement may be constructed.
[2]
When a special case arises where a utility trench would
have less than 90 days of settlement time, all trench backfill shall be 2A
modified or 2RC stone, tamped and capped with eight inches of clay at subgrade
elevation. This shall apply whenever a permanent subbase course or bituminous
concrete base course and bituminous wearing course ID-2 pavement is to be
constructed.
(b)
Prior to commencing construction of the subbase, the
subgrade shall be inspected and approved by the Engineer. After acceptance
by the Engineer, the subgrade shall not be excavated for any purposes without
the express permission of the Engineer. The placement of subbase material,
as well as subsequent pavement courses, may proceed only after the Engineer
has accepted the underlying course.
(c)
Bituminous concrete base course (BCBC) shall not be placed
on surfaces that are wet or at a temperature of 35º F. or lower, or when
the air temperature is 35º F. or lower. When work is halted because of
weather conditions, limited tonnage en route to the project may be placed,
if permitted by the Engineer. A bituminous prime coat of the subbase course
is not required before placement of the BCBC.
(d)
Placement of bituminous wearing course ID-2 shall be permitted during the period April 1 to October 15 annually, provided that temperature conditions as listed in Subsection B(3)(e)[3] below are met; and provided, further, that no paving will be permitted during inclement weather. When the bituminous wearing course ID-2 is placed adjacent to curbs to form a bituminous gutter, it shall be sealed with AC-20. Excess bituminous material shall be removed to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
(e)
Placement of bituminous wearing course ID-2 may be permitted
during the period October 16 to November 15 under the following conditions:
[1]
Bituminous wearing course ID-2 shall be hauled in properly
covered and insulated trucks.
[2]
Bituminous wearing course ID-2 shall not be placed on
damp or wet surfaces.
[3]
Bituminous wearing course ID-2 shall not be placed when
the air temperature is 40º F. or lower, nor when the temperature of the
base or binder on which it is to be placed is 40º F. or lower.
[4]
Extra precautions shall be taken in drying the aggregate
to be used in the mix, controlling the temperature of the delivered material
and compacting the mixture.
[5]
Bituminous wearing course ID-2 shall not be placed if,
on the date preceding placement, it rained or snowed and the temperature fell
below freezing during the previous evening.
[6]
Bituminous wearing course ID-2 shall not be placed after
November 15 without a written request from the developer and the subsequent
express written consent of the Township Supervisors and Township Engineer.
C.
Concrete curb specifications.
(1)
General.
(a)
The concrete curb shall be six inches in width at the
top, eight inches in width at the base and 21 inches in depth on all streets.
(b)
Construction of plain cement concrete curb shall meet
the requirements of Section 630 - Plain Cement Concrete Curb, PennDOT Specifications,
Publication 408, current edition. This shall include the placement of concrete
curb with an acceptable, self-propelled machine (slip-form machine).
(2)
Materials. All materials used in the construction of
curbs shall meet the requirements of Section 630.2 of PennDOT Specifications,
Publication 408, current edition.
(3)
General construction methods.
(a)
Excavation; fill. The excavation or fill for curb shall
be carried to the proper depth and grade as directed by the Engineer. The
subgrade shall then be thoroughly compacted and so shaped that the surface
of the same shall be at the required depth below the grade for the finished
curb.
(b)
Placing concrete. After the subgrade and foundation have
been prepared, the concrete, conforming to these specifications shall be laid
or placed in the forms and thoroughly tamped and spaded to ensure the filling
of all voids and to secure a concrete of maximum density with all corners
full and square. All concrete must be finished with a wooden float and true
to the lines and grades given.
(c)
The forms shall not be removed until satisfactory curing
has taken place. After removing the forms the exposed surface should be rubbed
down or floated to a smooth, even surface, as necessary. If any holes or defects
develop, they shall be filled with mortar composed of one part cement and
two parts sand and then floated with a wooden float to a smooth, even surface.
D.
Concrete sidewalk specifications.
(1)
General.
(a)
A crushed stone base course of No. 2A Modified shall
be provided to form a compacted base four inches deep.
(b)
In general and unless otherwise stated herein, construction
of cement concrete sidewalks shall meet the requirements of Section 676 -
Cement Concrete Sidewalks, PennDOT Specifications, Publication 408, current
edition.
(2)
Materials. All materials used in the construction of
sidewalks shall meet requirements of Section 676.2 of PennDOT Specifications,
Publication 408, current edition.
(3)
Construction. The concrete shall be not less than four
inches in depth and shall have a transverse grade of 3/8 inch per foot upward
from the curbing. In driveway areas, the sidewalk and the apron shall be constructed
of concrete six inches in depth on a four-inch base of thoroughly compacted
crushed stone (2A Modified) according to the Palmer Township Standard Construction
Details.
E.
Record plans.
(1)
Records plans shall be prepared by the developer's Engineer
from information recorded by the developer's contractors during construction.
Such record plans shall be submitted to the Engineer upon the completion of
the street construction. The following information is required on the street
grade and profile record plans:
(a)
Any construction changes that were made shall be noted
and documented on the record plans by drawing a line through the proposed
design data and noting the record data.
(b)
The record plans shall include, but not be limited to,
the "as-constructed" curb and/or pavement grades for intersections and all
other areas that were changed from the design plan. The record profile grades
should be shown where they differ from the original design.
(2)
After the record plans are reviewed and approved, three
prints and a Mylar tracing of each shall be provided to the Engineer for a
permanent record.
[Amended 4-9-1974 by Ord.
No. 150]
All persons desiring to lay or relay curb or sidewalk shall apply for
a permit to the Building Inspector.
[Amended 9-17-1973 by Ord.
No. 146]
The fee to be paid to the Township for permits shall be set by the Board
of Supervisors by resolution.
[Amended 9-17-1973 by Ord.
No. 146; 10-25-1988 by Ord.
No. 227]
A.
Any person, partnership, corporation, trust or other
entity which or who shall violate any of the provisions of this ordinance
or who shall fraudulently do work for the Township which does not conform
to these standards shall be liable, upon conviction in a summary proceeding
before any Alderman, District Magistrate or Justice of the Peace, to pay a
fine or penalty to the Township, and for the use of the Township, of not less
than $10 nor more than $600 or to be sentenced to imprisonment in the county
prison for a period not exceeding 30 days, as provided by law.
B.
Each day of violation of the particular code or ordinance
applicable shall be considered a separate offense, for which the fines and
penalties stated herein may be imposed on a daily basis.
[Added 9-17-1973 by Ord.
No. 146]
The widths and grades of streets and sidewalks shall be as set by the
Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, as amended.[1]
[Added 9-17-1973 by Ord.
No. 146; 7-16-1990 by Ord.
No. 234]
In areas of sidewalk, driveway aprons shall be constructed of concrete
six inches in depth on a four-inch base of thoroughly compacted crushed stone
(2A Modified) according to the Palmer Township Standard Construction Details.
[Added 9-17-1973 by Ord.
No. 146]
This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as "Township Ordinance
No. 36."
[Added 9-17-1973 by Ord.
No. 146]
If the provisions of this ordinance conflict with those of any other
ordinance or law, the most restrictive of the two shall prevail.
[Amended 9-17-1973 by Ord.
No. 146[1]]
Township Ordinance No. 26 of October 6, 1958,[2] and all ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
[Added 5-20-1974 by Ord.
No. 152]
No railroad or street railway shall hereafter be constructed upon any
Township right-of-way or road, nor shall any railroad or street railway crossings,
nor any gas pipe, water pipe, electric conduits or other piping be laid upon
or in, nor shall any telephone, telegraph or electric light or power poles,
or any coal tipples or any other obstructions be erected upon or in any portion
of a Township road or right-of-way except under such conditions, restrictions
and regulations relating to the installation, safety, maintenance and restoration
thereof, as may be prescribed herein and in permits granted by the Township
for such purpose.
[Added 5-20-1974 by Ord.
No. 152]
The application for a permit required by § 160-10 shall be on a form prescribed by the Township and submitted to the Township in triplicate. The application shall be accompanied by a fee in accordance with the schedule of fees set forth by the Department of Transportation for highway occupancy permits and restoration charges. In addition, the applicant shall submit three copies of a sketch showing such dimensions as the location of the intended facility, existing utilities, width of the traveled roadway, right-of-way lines and a dimension to the nearest intersecting street.
[Added 5-20-1974 by Ord.
No. 152]
[Added 5-20-1974 by Ord.
No. 152]
Upon completion of the work and restoration and at such other times
as the Township may require, the applicant shall give written notice thereof
to the Township.
[Added 5-20-1974 by Ord.
No. 152]
Upon completion of the work authorized by the permit described in §§ 160-10 to 160-13, the Township shall inspect the work and, when necessary, enforce compliance with the conditions, restrictions and regulations prescribed herein and by the permit. Where any settlement or defect in the work occurs, if the applicant shall fail to rectify any such settlement or other defect within 60 days after written notice from the Township to do so, the Township may do the work and shall impose upon the applicant the cost thereof, together with an additional 20% of such cost.
[Added 5-20-1974 by Ord.
No. 152]
[Added 7-9-1974 by Ord. No.
155]
A.
Plumbing or building permits or permits for street, driveway, curb, drainage or sidewalk construction or for work contemplated by § 160-10 hereof may be revoked for failure to carry on operations in a reasonably safe manner or for carrying on work in such a manner as violates Township ordinances or injures Township roads or deposits undue amounts of earth or mud upon the same.
B.
The Township may also revoke or withhold issuance of
building or zoning permits in any subdivision in which road, drainage or utility
construction does not conform to this ordinance, Township standards or a subdivision
plan or in which construction of roads, drainage or utilities is not proceeding
contemporaneously with construction of buildings.
[Added 7-9-1974 by Ord. No.
155; amended 7-16-1990 by Ord.
No. 234]
In addition to the safety requirements of the Building Code,[1] all unattended open trenches in public streets or rights-of-way
or front yards shall be covered or barricaded and flasher lights provided
to clearly mark the trench at night. Barricading shall also be required in
the daytime for such trenches, when unattended, if they are left open more
than 24 hours. Filled trenches in public roads which present soft support
or sharp elevations or depressions of more than 2 1/2 inches shall be marked
with barricades and signs and, in addition, at night with flasher lights,
lanterns or smudge pots. Filled trenches in shoulders which present soft support
shall be marked at reasonable intervals with a sign saying "soft shoulder."
Utility work areas in public streets or rights-of-way and open manholes shall
be barricaded and marked at night in the same manner as open trenches. The
Police Department shall have the right to require permittees or contractors
to provide flagmen or policemen at construction or maintenance sites if activities
will reduce the traffic lanes available for travel or present unusual traffic
hazards. Construction or maintenance vehicles on public roads shall have warning
lights.
[Added 7-9-1974 by Ord. No.
155]
Except for emergency vehicles, all backhoes, cranes, elevating platforms
and other vehicles operating on public roads with outrigger or jack-type supports
shall have boards or other materials inserted between such supports and the
pavement of any public road to prevent injury to the pavement. Failure to
take such protective measures is hereby declared to be a nuisance, and the
Township may, in addition to fines imposed by this ordinance, collect the
cost of restoring injured roads from the persons or organizations responsible.
[Added 7-9-1974 by Ord. No.
155; amended 7-16-1990 by Ord.
No. 234]
After new curbing or sidewalks have been installed or after alteration
of existing curbing or sidewalks, the trench in which the curbing or sidewalks
are located shall be backfilled to appropriate street and property grade.
Except for curbing and sidewalk trenches, refilling of trenches in the existing
cartway of public streets shall be entirely with modified crushed stone or
with other similar approved materials to a level eight inches below the existing
adjacent subgrade with such degree of compaction as the Engineer shall require.
The crushed stone backfill shall be capped with eight inches of well-compacted
clay to reform subgrade. The pavement shall be restored by constructing courses
of the same materials and thickness as represented by the adjacent existing
pavement. Joints between existing paving and any patches, which may be permitted,
shall be sealed with appropriate sealing materials. Open trenches in public
roads or rights-of-way shall be filled in as soon as possible, and boring
shall be carried out in lieu of open trenching whenever practical.
[Added 10-28-1986 by Ord.
No. 216-B]
A.
It shall be the duty of every owner and occupant of any
dwelling, tenement, store, shop, place of business, church, school or any
other building, be it public or private, fronting on any sidewalk in or upon
any street in the Township of Palmer, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, to
remove or cause to be removed all snow, ice or sleet from said sidewalks in
front of and around their respective premises within 12 hours after the same
has ceased to fall or accumulate thereon. Similarly, sidewalks fronting vacant
lots or vacant buildings shall be cleaned as aforesaid by the owner or owners
of such vacant lots or vacant buildings. Wherever and whenever it may be impossible
to remove all snow, sleet or ice, as aforesaid, which may have become compacted
by travel or formed on sidewalks so as to present a slippery surface, it shall
be the duty of every owner and occupant of the premises abutting the same
to cover such snow, sleet or ice with ashes, cinders, sand or any other suitable
substance in such a manner as to facilitate safe walking upon the aforesaid
sidewalks. No owner or occupant shall allow snow, sleet or ice to remain on
or accumulate in any drain located on or near any sidewalk so as to impede
the flow of water therein in case of thaw or rain.
B.
No person, whether an owner, occupant or otherwise, shall
place or cause the placement of any dirt or debris on or in the sidewalks
fronting his respective premises.
C.
No person, whether owner, occupant or otherwise, shall
place or cause the placement of any materials or merchandise of any kind or
description whatsoever, whether for sale, display, storage, construction or
otherwise, in or on any sidewalk or gutter fronting his respective premises.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the temporary placing of
necessary building material in or upon such sidewalks or gutters permitted
under other Township rules and regulations.
