It shall be the duty of all owners of real estate
and contractors to comply with the following regulations in the construction
of concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks within the limits of the
Borough.
The excavation or fill for curb, gutter and
sidewalk shall be carried to the proper depth and grade as directed
by the Borough Engineer. The subgrade shall then be thoroughly compacted
and so shaped that the surface of same shall be at the required depth
below the grade for the finished curb, gutter and sidewalk. On the
subgrade a foundation of not less than four inches of clean cinders
or gravel shall be placed, which shall be wetted thoroughly and tamped
or rolled to an even surface.
The concrete shall be composed of one part Portland
cement, two parts sand and four parts crushed stone or gravel. All
concrete shall be mixed by machine for at least one minute except
when the Engineer shall otherwise permit under special conditions.
A batch mixer of any approved type shall be used. If concrete is mixed
by hand, the mixing shall be done on a watertight wooden platform
or other suitable hard, clean surface. The concrete mixture shall
contain no more water than is necessary to produce a workable mass
which can be brought to a satisfactory finish in the pavement. The
amount of water used shall not exceed 6 1/2 gallons per sack
of cement when the aggregates are dry. Concrete that has developed
initial set shall not be retamped or used in any way.
Forms shall be made of substantial materials,
preferably steel. They shall be smooth and clean and shall be held
rigidly in place by stakes or braces with top edge at true line and
grade as given by the Engineer.
After pouring concrete into the forms, it shall
be puddled and spaded so as to ensure a thorough mixing, eliminate
air pockets and create uniform and smooth sides. The surface shall
be finished with a wooden float until the surface has a true contour
and the concrete is thoroughly compacted. During hot weather, newly
laid concrete shall be kept damp by sprinkling with water for a period
of not less than three days.
The curb shall be seven inches in width at the
top, nine inches in width at the base, 24 inches in depth and seven
inches from the top of curb to the top of gutter. The front face shall
have a batter of one inch to one foot and the corner rounded to a
three-fourths-inch radius. The forms must be removed within 24 hours
after the placing of concrete and the exposed surface rubbed down
or floated to a smooth, even surface. If any holes or defects develop,
they shall be filled with mortar composed one part cement and two
parts sand and then floated with a wooden float to a smooth, even
surface.
Concrete gutters shall have a width of three
feet on all streets more than 20 feet wide and a width of two feet
on streets 20 feet wide or less and shall not be less than seven inches
in depth. The gutter shall be carefully constructed to the lines and
grades given for same, with joints for the entire depth. These joints
shall be uniformly spaced not more than 10 feet apart and formed by
removable plates set perpendicular to the surface of the gutter. The
slope of the gutter shall be one inch per foot toward the gutter.
The concrete sidewalk shall not be less than
five inches in depth and shall slope 1/4 inch per foot from the building
line of the street to the outside edge of the curb unless otherwise
directed by the Borough Engineer. The sidewalk should be constructed
in sections of not more than six feet in length with vertical joints
for the full depth of the pavement and shall be of a width corresponding
with the established width of the street on which it is laid unless
otherwise ordered by the Borough Engineer.
[Amended 1-22-1996 by Ord. No. 654, approved 1-22-1996 ]
Any person violating any of the provisions of
this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable for each
offense by a fine of not more than $300 and costs of prosecution or,
upon default in payment of the fine and costs, by imprisonment in
the county jail for a period not to exceed 30 days, and each day of
the continuance of a violation shall be deemed to constitute a separate
offense.