The following improvements shall be installed by the subdivider. The final plan shall not be approved until final detailed design of the improvements is approved and the improvements are installed or security to the Board of Commissioners is provided.
Streets shall be brought to the grades and dimensions drawn on plans, profiles and cross sections submitted by the subdivider and approved by the Township Engineer. The subdivider must install the required utilities and provide, where necessary, adequate subsurface drainage for the streets. The streets shall be designed and constructed to the standards set forth in §§ 385-21 and 385-22 of this chapter.
Curbs and sidewalks shall be provided in accordance with the standards set forth in § 385-23 of this chapter.
A. 
Public sewer systems. When the subdivision or land development is to be provided with a complete sanitary sewer system connected to a public sanitary sewer system, a statement of approval from the engineer of the sewerage system to which it will be connected shall be submitted to the Board of Commissioners. Where required, DEP planning module approval shall also be obtained for final plan approval.
B. 
Private sewer systems. When a complete private sanitary sewer system using a treatment plant is to be provided, a statement shall be submitted to the Board of Commissioners from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection certifying that a permit has been issued by the appropriate agency approving the proposed facilities. Adequate security for the maintenance of such plant shall be furnished to the Township.
C. 
On-lot sewage disposal. In subdivisions where public sewers are not available and a complete private sanitary sewer system is not required, on-lot sewage disposal systems shall be provided.
D. 
Capped sewer system. Where the sanitary sewer system is not yet accessible but is planned for extension to the subdivision or development, the subdivider shall install sewer lines, including lateral connections, in order to provide service to each lot. The sewer mains shall be suitably capped at the limits of the subdivision, and laterals shall be capped at the street right-of-way line when not extended to houses or other structures. When laterals are extended to houses or other structures, the internal plumbing system shall be constructed to accommodate them as well as any septic system required. At such time as any planned construction of extensions to the existing sanitary sewer system is under contract, the subdivider may reduce the size of any required septic system drain fields or septic tank by 50%.
A. 
Provision of system. The subdivision or land development shall be provided with a complete water main supply system which shall be connected to a municipal water supply or with a community water supply approved by the engineer of the applicable water utility company and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection with satisfactory provision for the maintenance thereof.
B. 
Plans. The plans for the installation of the mains of a water supply system shall be prepared for the subdivision or land development with the cooperation of the applicable water supply agency and approved by its engineer. A statement of approval from the engineer of the water supply system agency to which the subdivision or land development will be connected shall be submitted to the Board of Commissioners. Upon the completion of the water supply system, one copy of each of the plans for such system shall be filed with the Township.
C. 
Fire hydrants. Fire hydrants shall be provided as an integral part of any public water supply system. The Township Fire Marshal shall be consulted to determine the location of proposed fire hydrants.
D. 
The developer shall test the water distribution system which the developer intends to utilize to ascertain that the water pressures comply with the Township fire and building codes. The developer shall give notice to the Fire Marshal of the time and place of the test and provide a copy of test results. Plan approval is conditioned on proof of water pressures which comply with the fire code and building code standards.
A storm drainage system shall be provided in accordance with the standards as set forth in § 385-24 of this chapter.
A. 
Easements for utilities shall have a minimum width of 15 feet.
B. 
To the fullest extent possible, easements for public utilities shall be centered on or adjacent to rear or side lot lines.
C. 
Telephone, electric, television cable and such other utilities shall be installed underground and shall be provided within the street right-of-way or easements to be dedicated for such utilities and in accordance with plans approved by the Township and the applicable utility company. Underground installation of the utility distribution and service lines shall be completed prior to street paving and gutter, curbing and sidewalk installation.
A. 
Monuments shall be of concrete or stone at least six inches by six inches by 30 inches and marked on top with a copper or brass dowel. They shall be set at the intersection of lines forming angles in the boundaries of the subdivision and at the intersection of street lines. Markers shall be iron pipes or brass 30 inches by 3/4 inch diameter and set at all points where lines or lines and curves intersect.
B. 
Monument replacement. Any monuments or markers that are removed must be replaced by a registered land surveyor at the expense of the person responsible for the removal.
A. 
Shade trees shall be provided as specified in § 385-28E of this chapter.
B. 
Street name signs conforming to Township specifications shall be provided and installed by the subdivider or developer at all street intersections.
C. 
Open space shall be provided as specified in § 385-28B of this chapter.
D. 
Other improvements to promote public safety and health shall be made as required by the Township as a condition of approval.
All improvements shall be installed according to a time schedule which shall be approved by the Township.
At the time each improvement is to be installed and upon its completion, the subdivider shall notify the Township so that adequate inspections can be made. The inspections will be made by the Township Engineer. All costs of undertaking the inspections will be borne by the subdivider.
A. 
No plat shall be finally approved unless the streets shown on such plat have been improved to a mudfree or otherwise permanently passable condition, or improved as may be otherwise required by this chapter, and any walkways, curbs, gutters, streetlights, fire hydrants, shade trees, water mains, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and other improvements as may be required by this chapter have been installed in accordance with this chapter. In lieu of the completion of any improvements required as a condition for the final approval of a plat, including improvements or fees otherwise required by the chapter, the developer may deposit with the Township financial security in an amount sufficient to cover the related drainage facilities, recreational facilities, open space improvements or buffer or screen plantings which may be required.
B. 
When requested by the developer in order to facilitate financing, the Township shall furnish the developer with a signed copy of a resolution indicating approval of the final plat contingent upon the developer obtaining a satisfactory financial security. The final plat or record plan shall not be signed nor recorded until the financial improvements agreement is executed. The resolution or letter of contingent agreement shall expire and be deemed to be revoked if the financial security agreement is not executed within 90 days unless a written extension is granted by the Township; such extension shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall be placed, in writing, at the request of the developer.
C. 
Without limitation as to other types of financial security which the Township may approve, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, federal- or commonwealth-chartered lending institution irrevocable letters of credit and restrictive or escrow accounts in such lending institutions shall be deemed acceptable financial security for the purposes of this section.
D. 
Such financial security shall be posted with a bonding company or federal- or commonwealth-chartered lending institution chosen by the party posting the financial security, provided that said bonding company or lending institution is authorized to conduct such business within the commonwealth.
E. 
Such bond or other security shall provide for and secure to the public the completion of any improvements which may be required on or before the date fixed in the formal action of approval or accompanying the agreement for completion of the improvements.
F. 
The amount of financial security to be posted for the completion of the required improvements shall be equal to 110% of the cost of completion estimated as of 90 days following the date scheduled for completion by the developer. Annually, the Township may adjust the amount of the financial security by comparing the actual cost of the improvements which have been completed and the estimated cost for the completion of the remaining improvements as of the expiration of the 90th day after either the original date scheduled for completion or a rescheduled date of completion. Subsequent to said adjustment, the Township may require the developer to post additional security in order to assure that the financial security equals said 110%. Any additional security shall be posted by the developer in accordance with this subsection.
G. 
The amount of financial security required shall be based upon an estimate of the cost of completion of the required improvements submitted by the applicant or developer and prepared by a professional engineer licensed as such in this commonwealth and certified by such engineer to be a fair and reasonable estimate of such cost. The Township, upon the recommendation of the Township Engineer, may refuse to accept such estimate for good cause shown. If the applicant or developer and the Township are unable to agree upon an estimate, then the estimate shall be recalculated and recertified by another professional engineer licensed as such in this commonwealth and chosen mutually by the Township and the applicant or developer. The estimate certified by the third engineer shall be presumed fair and reasonable and shall be the final estimate. In the event that a third engineer is so chosen, fees for the services of said engineer shall be paid equally by the Township and the applicant or developer.
H. 
If the party posting the financial security requires more than one year from the date of posting of the financial security to complete the required improvements, the amount of financial security may be increased by an additional 10% for each one-year period beyond the first anniversary date from posting of financial security or to an amount not exceeding 110% of the cost of completing the required improvements as reestablished on or about the expiration of the preceding one-year period by using the above procedure.
I. 
In the case where development is projected over a period of years, the Board of Commissioners may authorize submission of final plats by sections or stages of development subject to such requirements or guaranties as to improvement in future sections or stages of development as it finds essential for the protection of any finally approved section of the development.
J. 
As the work of installing the required improvements proceeds, the party posting the financial security may request the Township to release or authorize the release from time to time of such portions of the financial security necessary for payment to the contractor or contractors performing the work. Any such requests shall be in writing, addressed to the Board of Commissioners, and the Township shall have 45 days from receipt of such request within which to allow the Township Engineer to certify, in writing, to the Board of Commissioners that such portion of the work upon the improvements has been completed in accordance with the approved plat. Upon such certification, the Board of Commissioners shall authorize release by the bonding company or lending institution of an amount as estimated by the Township Engineer fairly representing the value of the improvements completed or, if the Board of Commissioners fails to act within said forty-five-day period, the Board of Commissioners shall be deemed to have approved the release of funds as requested. The Board of Commissioners may, prior to final release at the time of completion and certification by its Engineer, require retention of 10% of the estimated cost of the aforesaid improvements.
K. 
Where the Board of Commissioners accepts dedication of all or some of the required improvements following completion, the Board of Commissioners may require the posting of financial security to secure structural integrity of said improvements as well as the functioning of said improvements in accordance with the design and specifications as depicted on the final plat for a term not to exceed 18 months from the date of acceptance of dedication. Said financial security shall be of the same type as otherwise required in this section with regard to installation of such improvements, and the amount of the financial security shall not exceed 15% of the actual cost of installation of said improvements.
L. 
If water mains or sanitary sewer lines, or both, along with apparatus or facilities related thereto, are to be installed under the jurisdiction and pursuant to the rules and regulations of a public utility or municipal authority separate and distinct from the Township, financial security to assure proper completion and maintenance thereof shall be posted in accordance with the regulations of the controlling public utility or municipal authority and shall not be included within the financial security as otherwise required by this section.
M. 
If financial security has been provided in lieu of the completion of improvements required as a condition for the final approval of a plat as set forth in this section, the Township shall not condition the issuance of building, grading or other permits relating to the erection or placement of improvements, including buildings, upon the lots or land as depicted upon the final plat upon actual completion of the improvements depicted upon the approved final plat. Moreover, if said financial security has been provided, occupancy permits for any building or buildings to be erected shall not be withheld following the improvement of the streets providing access to and from public roads to such building or buildings to a mudfree or otherwise permanently passable condition, as well as the completion of all other improvements as depicted upon the approved plat, either upon the lot or lots or beyond the lot or lots in question if such improvements are necessary for the reasonable use of or occupancy of the building or buildings.
A. 
When the developer has completed all of the necessary and appropriate improvements, the developer shall notify the Township, in writing, by certified or registered mail, of the completion of the aforesaid improvements and shall send a copy thereof to the Township Engineer. The Board of Commissioners shall, within 10 days after receipt of such notice, direct and authorize the Township Engineer to inspect all of the aforesaid improvements. The Township Engineer shall thereupon file a report, in writing, with the Board of Commissioners and shall promptly mail a copy of the same to the developer by certified or registered mail. The report shall be made and mailed within 30 days after receipt by the Township Engineer of the aforesaid authorization from the Board of Commissioners; said report shall be detailed and shall indicate approval or rejection of said improvements, either in whole or in part, and if said improvements or any portion thereof shall not be approved or shall be rejected by the Township Engineer, said report shall contain a statement of reasons for such nonapproval or rejection.
B. 
The Board of Commissioners shall notify the developer within 15 days of receipt of the Engineer's report, in writing, by certified or registered mail, of the action of said Township with relation thereto.
C. 
If the Board of Commissioners or the Township Engineer fails to comply with the time limitation provisions contained herein, all improvements will be deemed to have been approved, and the developer shall be released from all liability pursuant to its performance guaranty bond or other security agreement.
D. 
If any portion of the said improvement shall not be approved or shall be rejected by the Board of Commissioners, the developer shall proceed to complete the same and, upon completion, the same procedure of notification as outlined herein shall be followed. Such completion shall satisfactorily meet the Township's statement of reasons for nonapproval or rejection.
E. 
Nothing herein, however, shall be construed in limitation of the developer's right to contest or question by legal proceedings or otherwise any determination of the Board of Commissioners or the Township Engineer.
F. 
Where herein reference is made to the Township Engineer, he/she shall be as a consultant thereto.
G. 
The applicant or developer shall reimburse the Township for the reasonable and necessary expense incurred for the inspection of improvements according to a schedule of fees adopted by resolution of the Township and as from time to time amended.[1] Such expense shall be reasonable and in accordance with the ordinary and customary fees charged by the Township Engineer or consultant for work performed for similar services in the community, but in no event shall the fees exceed the rate or cost charged by the Engineer or consultant to the Township when fees are not reimbursed or otherwise imposed on applicants.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(1) 
In the event that the applicant disputes the amount of any such expense in connection with the inspection or improvements, the applicant shall, within 100 days of the date of billing, notify the Township that such expenses are disputed as unreasonable or unnecessary, in which case the Township shall not delay or disapprove a subdivision or land development application or any approval or permit related to development due to the applicant's request over disputed Engineer expenses.
(2) 
If the professional consultant and the applicant cannot agree on the amount of expenses which are reasonable and necessary, then the applicant shall have the right, within 100 days of the transmittal of the final bill or supplement to the final bill to the applicant, to request the appointment of another professional consultant to serve as an arbitrator. The applicant and professional consultant whose fees are being challenged shall by mutual agreement, appoint another professional consultant to review any bills the applicant has disputed and which remain unresolved and make a determination as to the amount thereof which is reasonable and necessary. The arbitrator shall be of the same profession as the professional consultant whose fees are being challenged.
(3) 
The professional engineer so appointed shall hear such evidence and review such documentation as the professional engineer in his or her sole opinion deems necessary and render a decision within 50 days of the billing date. The applicant shall be required to pay the entire amount determined in the decision immediately.
(4) 
In the event that the Township and applicant cannot agree upon the professional engineer to be appointed within 20 days of the billing date, then, upon application of either party, the Court of Common Pleas shall appoint such engineer, who, in that case, shall be neither the Township Engineer nor any professional engineer who has been retained by or performed services for the Township or the applicant within the preceding five years.
(5) 
The fee of the appointed professional engineer for determining the reasonable and necessary expenses shall be paid by the applicant if the amount of payment required in the decision is equal to or greater than the original bill. If the amount of payment required in the decision is less than the original bill by $1,000 or more, the Township shall pay the fee of the professional engineer, but otherwise the Township and the applicant shall each pay 1/2 of the fee of the appointed professional engineer.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee resolution is on file in the office of the Township Secretary.
In the event that any improvements which may be required have not been installed as provided in this chapter or in accord with the approved final plat, the Board of Commissioners is hereby granted the power to enforce any corporate bond or other security by appropriate legal and equitable remedies. If the proceeds of such bond or other security are insufficient to pay the cost of installing or making repairs or corrections to all the improvements covered by said security, the Board of Commissioners may, at its option, install part of such improvements in all or part of the subdivision or land development and may institute appropriate legal or equitable action to recover the moneys necessary to complete the remainder of the improvements. All of the proceeds, whether resulting from the security or from any legal or equitable action brought against the developer, or both, shall be used solely for the installation of the improvements covered by such security and not for any other Township purpose.