The New Jersey Natural Gas Company be and is hereby authorized
to lay, maintain and operate its conductors, mains and pipes, together
with the appurtenances thereto, in all the public streets, alleys,
squares and public places in this municipality which are under the
control and jurisdiction of the Township for the purpose of conducting
gas, or any mixture of gases of various types including natural gas
and for the purpose of transmitting and distributing such gas in this
municipality for a period of 10 years from the date hereof, upon the
following terms and conditions:
A. The New Jersey Natural Gas Company shall report to the Department
of Public Works and the Township Engineer, yearly, their intentions
with regard to prospective work requiring future street openings in
the community for the purpose of coordinating such activity with pavement
projects anticipated by the Township. Except in the case of an emergency,
the Township shall have the right to schedule street openings in a
manner which will create the least disturbance to pavement courses,
in furtherance of which purpose the Department of Public Works shall
provide a schedule of expected street construction and resurfacing.
B. The New Jersey Natural Gas Company shall agree that, in all cases
in which street openings or excavations are made for the purposes
aforesaid, the pavement and the surface of the streets, alleys, squares
or roadways shall be restored to the same condition as existed prior
to the opening thereof. The restoration shall include milling and
repaving of the area so as to blend uniformly with the adjacent roadway,
including restoration of pavement markings, signage and all other
appurtenances. The Construction Code Official is authorized to demand
a cash escrow or equivalent in an amount not exceeding $10,000 to
insure that any road opening is restored satisfactorily.
C. The New Jersey Natural Gas Company shall conduct the work or the
laying or maintaining of gas pipes therein in a careful and prudent
manner.
The New Jersey Natural Gas Company shall file with the Clerk
of the Municipality, within 60 days of the date hereof, its acceptance
of the terms and provisions of the franchise consent herein granted
and its agreement to be bound by the terms and provisions thereof.
All Township officials, including, but not limited to, the Mayor,
Township Director of Engineering and Planning, Municipal Clerk and
Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed to take such ministerial
actions as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this ordinance.
This ordinance shall not become effective until it is approved
by the Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey.