[1]
Editor's Note: Former Part 4, Electrical Transformers, adopted by Ord. 1127, 9/15/1970 and Ord. 1270, 8/10/1976, as amended, was repealed by Ord. No. 2021-2328, 5/11/2021.
[Ord. No. 2023-2369, 11/14/2023]
A. 
Required. No person shall perform blasting within the Borough without first obtaining a permit to do so from the Borough Director of Planning and Code Enforcement, unless such work is performed in response to an emergency, under the direction of the Chief of Fire and Emergency Services or Director of Planning and Code Enforcement, or their designated agent.
B. 
Applications. A contractor shall submit an application for a blasting permit to the Director of Planning and Code Enforcement no less than 14 days' prior to the date of the proposed blasting by tendering payment of the application fee required and by complying with the following:
(1) 
The contractor shall make application on the form provided by the Borough.
(2) 
The contractor shall submit a detailed blasting plan, including:
(a) 
Blast narrative;
(b) 
Activity hazard analysis and assessment of areas affected by the blasting, including details related to existing infrastructure, structures, utilities, roadways, public and private water systems, sewage systems and other similar structures/improvements;
(c) 
Blasting details for the subject site, including location and direction of shot and distance to nearest structure, location of any venting holes, misfire procedures and contingency plan, seismograph locations and explosive material details and safety data sheets;
(d) 
Seismic monitoring plan;
(e) 
Details on the site and blasting location as required by Pennsylvania laws and regulations; and
(f) 
Any other supplemental data deemed necessary by the Director of Planning and Code Enforcement and/or Borough Engineer.
(3) 
A list of surrounding property owners within 600 feet of the site where blasting is proposed shall be submitted.
(4) 
A list of surrounding utility lines and structures within 600 feet of the site where blasting is proposed shall be submitted.
(5) 
The contractor shall submit a letter certifying that all applicable property owners were notified and inspections completed.
(6) 
The contractor shall obtain and submit a copy of a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
C. 
Fee. Fees for blasting permits are as specified the Borough Schedule of Fees adopted by resolution, as amended or replaced.
[Ord. No. 2023-2369, 11/14/2023]
A. 
Permit Issuance. If all is found to be in order by the Borough Director of Planning and Code Enforcement and/or Borough Engineer, the Director of Planning and Code Enforcement will issue the permit within five working days.
B. 
Limits of Particle Velocity and Sound Level.
(1) 
At no time during the blasting shall the vibration peak particle velocity exceed 2.0 inches/second, as measured at the nearest utility or structure to the blasting location, whichever is less.
(2) 
At no time shall the airblast from blasting exceed 133 linear decibels, as measured at the nearest structure to the blasting location.
(3) 
In the event that the blasting location is within 200 feet of a utility line or structure, the contractor shall not exceed the vibration peak particle velocity identified as acceptable by said utility provider.
(4) 
In no case shall the vibration peak particle velocity exceed 0.5 inch/second at the property line of any property containing an earthen embankment type reservoir.
C. 
Permit Requirements. All issued blasting permits shall include the following requirements:
(1) 
The contractor shall comply with all Pennsylvania laws and regulations, including, without limitation, Title 73, Chapter 3, of the Pennsylvania Statutes and Title 25, Chapter 211, of the Pennsylvania Code.
(2) 
The contractor shall perform a pre-blasting survey of all properties and utilities within 100 feet of the property where the proposed blasting is intended to occur, and a report of such survey shall include, without limitation, photographs and video evidence. The pre-blasting survey report shall be submitted to the Borough Director of Planning and Code Enforcement prior to engaging in any blasting activities.
(3) 
The contractor shall perform seismic monitoring during the blasting in accordance with the seismic monitoring plan approved by the Borough Engineer prior to the issuance of the blasting permit.
(4) 
Require a pre-construction/blasting meeting with the contractor, Borough Engineer and Borough Director of Planning and Code Enforcement.
[Ord. No. 2023-2369, 11/14/2023]
A. 
The contractor shall provide notice on company letterhead to all property owners within 400 feet of the blasting at least two weeks prior to the commencement of blasting. The notification shall include an offer to inspect, free of charge to the property owner, all structures on the property for structural integrity and the condition of existing wells, including sampling of well water, before blasting commences. The name, address and telephone number of the contractor shall be listed on the notification. The notice must also include the dates blasting will occur and an explanation of how the blast will be preceded by the sounding of a horn, or other method of warning in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. All property owners requesting inspections in writing at least three working days' prior to any blasting work shall have their property inspected within a reasonable time prior to the commencement of the blasting. The contractor shall then inspect and document the condition of all structures and existing physical features. The inspection must include an assessment of the condition of any existing wells. As part of this assessment, a sealed sample of well water must be obtained before blasting commences. The sealed sample will be held for a minimum of 30 days after blasting ceases, and it will be used to compare to post blast water quality should a concern arise as a result of the blasting. Copies of all inspection reports must be submitted to the property owner and Borough 48 hours in advance of the blasting.
B. 
The contractor shall provide notice to all property owners between 400 and 600 feet of the blasting at least two weeks prior to commencement of blasting, which notice includes the dates blasting will occur.
C. 
On each day of a blasting event, the contractor shall inform the Borough of the time(s) that the blasting is to occur.
[Ord. No. 2023-2369, 11/14/2023]
If a contractor is required to perform blasting work to respond to an emergency, at the direction of the Chief of Fire and Emergency Services or Director of Planning and Code Enforcement, or their designated agent, he or she is not required to obtain a permit or to give notice to property owners as required by §§ 5-401 and 5-403. All other provisions of this Part shall be followed.
[Ord. No. 2023-2369, 11/14/2023]
A. 
The contractor shall observe all Borough ordinances and state and federal laws and regulations relating to blasting and to the transportation, storage, handling and use of explosives.
B. 
Contractors shall give sufficient warning to all persons in the vicinity of the work by sounding a horn, or implementing a method of warning in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Contractors shall employ persons to stop or direct traffic as required.