[Adopted effective 12-31-1964; amended in its entirety effective 11-16-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-5]
A. 
No land shall be offered for acceptance or accepted as a Town road within the Town of Lyme except in accordance with the provisions of this article, and no road shall be considered as accepted by the Town of Lyme unless so voted at a Town Meeting after compliance with all provisions of this article.
B. 
No road or other improvement appurtenant thereto shall be constructed in the Town of Lyme until a road construction permit has been issued by the Board of Selectmen, including the construction of roads in a subdivision approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and modification of pavement, drainage or other improvements within or in support of any existing Town road.
C. 
Coordination. It is the intent of this article that the policies, rules, procedures, standards and specifications established in this article be coordinated with and support the Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Regulations, and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations of the Town of Lyme.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPLICANT
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association which shall apply to the Board of Selectmen for a road construction permit.
CONSTRUCTION PLANS
Plans meeting the requirements for construction plans as set forth in the Lyme Subdivision Regulations.
ROAD (also STREET)
A parcel of land which has been improved so as to be suitable for vehicular traffic and proposed to be accepted for public use by the Lyme Town Meeting, or a parcel of land shown and designed as a road to be constructed on a subdivision plan approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
SUBDIVISION PLAN
The plan showing a subdivision as reviewed, approved and signed by the Lyme Planning and Zoning Commission and filed with the Lyme Town Clerk.
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
Regulations adopted by the Lyme Planning and Zoning Commission in accordance with Chapter 126 of the Connecticut General Statutes.[1]
TOWN ROAD
A road that has been accepted for public use by the Lyme Town Meeting, in accordance with this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 310, Subdivision Regulations.
The Board of Selectmen shall have responsibility for the administration and enforcement of this article and shall have the authority to adopt the policies, rules and procedures necessary to implement and enforce this article.
A. 
Bond. Any bond or security required herein or by the Subdivision Regulations shall be in a form acceptable to the Board of Selectmen and its Attorney. All bonds and other security shall be duly executed on forms provided by the Town and contain property reference to all maps and plans showing the improvements covered by the bond. No construction work may commence until a bond has been accepted by the Board of Selectmen and/or the Planning and Zoning Commission or their authorized agent.
B. 
Liability insurance. No work shall be started on the road construction permit until the contractor has filed with the Board of Selectmen a certificate of insurance with the limits of liability equal to or exceeding current required Town coverage. Insurance policies shall include the provision that the contractor indemnifies and holds harmless the Town and its agents from all suits and actions brought against the Town as a consequence of any work performed by the contractor or his agents, or from any negligence in guarding such work, or from any acts of omission of said contractor and his agents. The insurance shall be maintained in effect until the road is accepted by the Lyme Town Meeting.
C. 
Procedures for road permit and construction.
(1) 
Permit application. Application for a road construction permit shall be made to the Board of Selectmen, in writing, and shall be accompanied by two copies each of maps and plans showing the rights-of-way for roads, drainage easements and construction details, and other information required in the Lyme Subdivision Regulations for construction maps. The applicant shall also provide a cash bond or other security in an amount and form acceptable to the Selectmen, taking into consideration the full cost of the required improvements if let to bid by the Town, with not less than 10% additional for each of three successive years to cover changing costs, and not less the 25% of the full cost to cover non-aggregated construction items in the event of a default. An application fee set by the Board of Selectmen shall accompany submission of the application. Current fees are available for review at Town Hall and on the Town's website at Townlyme.org.
[Amended 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-4]
(2) 
Road construction permit. Upon determination that the proposed road complies with all applicable standards, a road construction permit shall be issued by the Board of Selectmen, with the Board's endorsement of the construction plans endorsed thereon. Said approval and issuance are subject to the following:
(a) 
Prior approval of a subdivision application by the Planning and Zoning Commission for roads within a subdivision.
(b) 
An inspection fee equal to 2 1/2% of the cost of construction.
(3) 
Validity. The road construction permit shall be valid for a period of two years or such lesser period as the Selectmen consider sufficient for completion of work. Any permit which expires may be renewed only after a reapplication. The Selectmen may revoke or suspend a permit when the Selectmen determine that the work is not being carried out in accordance with the approved plans.
D. 
Inspections. All work subject to a road construction permit shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Board of Selectmen or its authorized agent. Said Board or its authorized agent shall have free access to the work at all times and shall be deemed authorized to take material samples, cores or other tests as deemed necessary to determine compliance with this article. The Board of Selectmen may require the applicant at his/her expense to have such tests made and certified by a professional engineer or other parties of its determination.
A. 
Submission to Board of Selectmen. Upon completion of road construction, the applicant shall file the following items with the Board of Selectmen:
(1) 
A map, suitable for recording, of the right-of-way of said road, showing all easements for drainage and rights-of-way, prepared and sealed by a Connecticut-licensed land surveyor; if the road is part of a subdivision, the subdivision map shall serve for this purpose.
(2) 
"As built" construction plans showing the streets and all drainage facilities and improvements, drawn and certified by a Connecticut-licensed civil engineer.
(3) 
Legal conveyance of the road to the Town of Lyme in the form of a warranty deed acceptable to the Board's Attorney and duly executed, which shall describe the land involved and the privileges of the Town. Such conveyance shall be accompanied by a copy of the abstract of title, a certificate of title, a waiver of mechanics' liens in a form acceptable to the Town, and a letter signed by the Tax Collector certifying that any taxes due to Town have been paid.
(4) 
An executed maintenance agreement and bond to guarantee remedy of deficiencies in the construction of said road for a period of one year from the date of acceptance of the road by the Town of Lyme. The amount or face value of the bond shall be estimated by the Board of Selectmen as not less than 5% nor more than 50% of the current cost of the original improvements.
B. 
Reviews. The Board of Selectmen may obtain from its reviewing engineer a certification that the road has been completed in accordance with the specifications and standards contained in this article, which shall be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission along with other materials submitted by the applicant for its review under § 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes pertaining to municipal improvements.
C. 
Town Meeting. After compliance with all requirements of the acceptance procedures the Board of Selectmen shall present the matter of accepting the road to a Town Meeting for its consideration and action.
A. 
Applicability. The standards herein specified are minimum standards which are applicable to roads in subdivisions to be reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission under the Lyme Subdivision Regulations. In the case of construction within or in support of an existing Town road, the Board of Selectmen may approve other or lesser design and construction standards as deemed appropriate by the Board to be consistent with other improved portions of such roads.
B. 
Alternate standards. The Town of Lyme recognizes both the need for flexibility to accommodate individual site conditions and the desirability of using state of the art technology. The Board of Selectmen will consider and may authorize alternatives to the construction standards for roads and storm drainage as set forth in this article, provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) 
Such alternative is prepared by a professional engineer, currently licensed in the State of Connecticut, with experience in the field of stormwater runoff and municipal and highway engineering;
(2) 
Such standards do not conflict with the requirements of other Town, state or federal regulatory bodies;
(3) 
The Board's designated engineer recommends in favor of use of the alternative standards;
(4) 
Such standards are in accord with the purpose and intent of this article as may be determined by the Board; and
(5) 
For all new subdivision streets, any alternative standards must also be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
[Amended 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-4]
C. 
Design requirements.
(1) 
Width of right-of-way. Roads shall have a minimum right-of-way of not less than 60 feet or greater as necessary for anticipated traffic capacity, type of traffic, turning movements and construction requirements. In the event that the applicant does not own the land adjoining the right-of-way established for a road, said right-of-way shall have such extra width or area as is necessary to accommodate all road construction within the right-of-way without encroachment on adjoining land. In lieu of extra width or area, the applicant may obtain right to slope on the adjoining land, provided that such rights are in a form approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission if such road is within a subdivision, or approved by the Board of Selectmen if the proposed road improvement is not located within a subdivision.
[Amended 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-4]
(2) 
Width of pavement. Roads shall have a minimum pavement width of 22 feet or greater if necessary to ensure traffic safety, or a lesser pavement width shall be permitted provided that traffic safety and future road use are not compromised.
(3) 
Shoulders. All tree stumps and other obstructions shall be removed at least six feet back from each edge of the traveled portion and such cleared portions shall be properly graded, sloped and seeded to prevent erosion. Whenever any such cleared and graded slope exceeds 10% below horizontal, approved guide fences shall be installed one foot back from the edge of the traveled portion.
(4) 
Minimum and maximum grades. The minimum grade shall be 1%. The maximum grade shall not exceed 10%. The maximum grade for turnarounds shall not exceed 5%. On roads with grades in excess of 5%, the Board of Selectmen may require the installation of paved gutters, of materials and in a manner acceptable to the Selectmen, to prevent erosion of the pavement and to assist surface drainage. All roads shall be graded so that the crown of the road is approximately two inches higher than the outer edge of the traveled portion.
(5) 
Vertical curves. Vertical curve transitions shall be established on all streets and at street intersections to ensure a stopping sight distance of 200 feet.
(6) 
Intersections. No more than two roads shall intersect at one point. Intersections shall be spaced not less than 200 feet apart, measured between center lines; however, a greater spacing may be required where topography, road use or other factors make such separation necessary. Roads shall intersect one another at as near to right angles as is practical, and no intersections shall be at an angle of less than 60°.
(7) 
Turnaround radius. There shall be a turnaround roadway at the end of any dead-end road, with a radius of not less than 40 feet.
D. 
Road construction.
(1) 
Construction surveying procedure. The center line of the traveled portion of the road shall be run in the field by a Connecticut-licensed land surveyor, and suitable construction ties established at all control points. These ties shall be protected during construction so that the center line may be reestablished at any time. Stations shall be established every 50 feet and at all radius points. A grade list showing the stations, stake elevations, offset from center-line grade, cuts and fills shall be presented to the Town's authorized inspector before construction begins.
(2) 
Clearing and grubbing. Clearing within the right-of-way shall be the minimum necessary to construct improvements and establish adequate sight lines. However, where an area is to be cleared, all trees, brush, boulders, structures, fences and debris shall be removed. All roots and stumps within the limit of clearing shall be grubbed and excavated, except that no grubbing is required where the finished roadway surface will be five feet or more above the original ground surface and the foundation soil is satisfactory. Where trees are cut and grubbing is not required, the trunks shall be cut off flush to the ground if possible and in no event more than six inches above the ground.
(a) 
Retention of existing trees. Individual trees may be retained in shoulder areas if located more than six feet from the edge of the traveled portion of the road and if the location of the tree does not create a safety hazard. Any such tree will be effectively protected and preserved to ensure that it will not suffer damage during construction. All tree branches overhanging the traveled portion or shoulder areas shall be trimmed to a clearance of 20 feet above the finished grade of the road.
(b) 
Topsoil. Topsoil shall be stripped from all surfaces of the roadway section which will be disturbed by cut or fill operations. Topsoil so stripped shall be stockpiled on the site of the work and shall be reserved for roadway landscaping. The stockpile area shall be shown on the sedimentation and erosion control plan.
(3) 
Excavation. Fill and disposal of surplus and unsuitable material.
(a) 
Unsuitable material. All unsuitable material, including material removed during clearing, grubbing and preparation of subgrade, shall be removed from within the limits of the right-of-way and disposed of lawfully at a safe location approved by the Town's authorized inspector.
(b) 
Surplus material. Surplus suitable material may be used to flatten fill slopes within the limits of the right-of-way and any slope easements. Surplus material that cannot be so utilized shall be disposed of lawfully in a manner approved by the Town's authorized inspector.
(c) 
Blasting. Blasting shall be performed only by licensed personnel and shall be done in accordance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining thereto. The Board of Selectmen, and in the case of subdivision streets the Planning and Zoning Commission, may, at its discretion, require pre-blast surveys and photographs.
[Amended 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-4]
(4) 
Preparation of subgrade. All topsoil, soft spots, peat and other organic material shall be stripped to their full depth, and boulders and ledge rock shall be removed to a depth of at least 12 inches below finished subgrade. The subgrade shall then be backfilled with bank run gravel. The gravel shall consist of sand, gravel and soil binder, free from thin or elongated pieces, lumps or clay, soil, loam or vegetable matter or stones larger than five inches in greatest dimension. The particles shall be well graded from course to fine and not more than 10% shall pass the No. 200 sieve. When ledge rock is encountered, it shall be removed to a depth of one foot below subgrade and the area backfilled with crushed stone or gravel. Embankments shall be successive layers for the full width of the embankment. The subgrade shall be rolled with a ten-ton roller or equivalent before placing the base course. All underground drainage and utilities shall be installed prior to completion of the subgrade for receiving the base course. All construction methods shall conform to the requirements of the state standard specifications for subgrade.
(5) 
Rolled granular base. After the subgrade has been rolled and compacted, a rolled granular base shall be applied for the full required width of the pavement plus one foot beyond. The rolled granular base shall not be less than eight inches thick after compaction and shall be applied in two courses, each of which shall be at least four inches thick, and each course shall have the cross-slope of 1/4 inch per foot from the center line. The rolled granular base shall conform to all requirements of the state standard specifications.
(6) 
Processed aggregate base. After the rolled granular base has been rolled and compacted, a processed aggregate base shall be applied for the full required width of the pavement plus one foot beyond on each side. The processed aggregate base shall be not less than four inches after compaction and shall have the cross slope approved by the reviewing engineer. The processed aggregate base shall conform to all requirements of the state standard specifications.
(7) 
Pavement. After the processed aggregate base has been rolled and compacted, the roadway shall be surfaced with bituminous concrete for the full required pavement width, plus one foot on each side, and to a total compacted depth of not less than four inches. The bituminous concrete shall be applied by machine in two courses, each of which shall not be less than two inches thick after compaction. In general, no paving shall be allowed between October 31 and May 1, unless the Town's designated inspector specifically permits an exception due to unusually mild weather conditions. Pavement shall be placed so that each course shall have the cross-slope acceptable to the Town's reviewing engineer. All materials and construction methods shall conform to the requirements of the state standard specifications except as modified by permission of the Town's reviewing inspector.
(8) 
Curbing. Curbing shall be installed in areas deemed appropriate by the Board of Selectmen or, in the case of a subdivision, by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Wavy or damaged curbing shall not be accepted and the Town's authorized inspector shall require that all improperly placed curbing be removed and replaced. All materials and construction methods shall conform to the requirements of the state standard specifications.
(9) 
Guide railing. Guide railing of a type approved by the Board of Selectmen shall be installed along all roads where there will be a fill embankment with a depth of four feet or more within 20 feet of the edge of the pavement, except that upon written approval of the Board of Selectmen guide rail may not be required were the embankment slopes are no steeper than 6:1.
E. 
Stormwater management.
(1) 
General design. A stormwater management system shall be designed as part of each road construction permit which shall provide for the efficient drainage of the road, including collection and discharge of stormwater from the paved road surface while maintaining preconstruction flows so as to reduce the negative impacts to receiving waters downstream to the maximum extent practical (MEP). Specifically, best management practices (BMPs) shall be employed by the developer for all proposed road construction so as to avoid an increase in the volume or rate of stormwater runoff which can overload the existing drainage system, potentially cause flooding and damage downstream, or result in the discharge of pollutants from the roadway to any surface waters of the United States. Storm drainage within the roadway shall be designed and constructed to accommodate any additional runoff which can reasonably be expected to result from future development of the drainage area which will drain through the roadway.
(2) 
Discharges. All stormwater ultimately discharged to surface waters of the United States., whether through Town or state drains, ditches or other Town or state drainage facilities, must have adequate capacity to carry the resultant flow from the runoff and must be treated to maximum extent practical to reduce pollution to receiving waters. Where the discharge is onto private property adjoining the road right-of-way, proper easement and discharge rights shall be secured by the applicant prior to approval of the road construction permit. Discharge shall be designed with particular regard to discharge points and velocities, and water quality BMPs shall be adopted to protect streams and wetlands from pollution and flooding due to the resultant runoff. Disruption of existing drainage patterns shall be minimized. Diversion from one watershed to another is prohibited.
(3) 
Computing stormwater flow. The method used for computing stormwater flows and flow calculations shall be provided to the Town's reviewing engineer. The determination of runoff coefficients shall be subject to approval by the reviewing engineer.
(4) 
Channel lines (perimeter drains). Channel and building lines (perimeter drains) shall be provided along any major stream for the purpose of preventing encroachment or construction upon the natural water channel by buildings, filling operations or other facilities and construction. The width of the channel shall be based on sound engineering calculations, anticipating major (one-hundred-year frequency) storms and flow potentials, and recognizing proper alignment and gradients of the channel. Any discharge from a perimeter drain shall be subject to application of the same water quality BMPs as any other stormwater discharge.
(5) 
Design capacity. Pipe design shall be based on ten- and twenty-five-year storms. Pickups and lines contributing to collectors may be designed on the basis of a ten-year storm; collector lines, discharge lines, ditches and channels shall be designed on the basis of a twenty-five-year storm. Culverts under roadways which are open at both ends shall have a minimum diameter of 24 inches. All other piping carrying surface drainage and groundwater shall have a minimum diameter of 15 inches. Minimum slope of pipe is 0.5%.
(6) 
Catch basins and drop inlets. Catch basins or drop inlets, where permitted, shall be provided so that no one catch basin will collect stormwater in excess of three cubic feet per second. Slope, width of stormwater in gutters, velocity of flow, type of catch basin top, area being served, as well as other factors must be considered in the design. In general this will result in a spacing of not more than 300 feet on roads with grades up to and including 5% and lesser spacing for roads over 5% grade. It is also recommended that all inlets and catch basins be designed to include a deep sump where feasible, and to be equipped with a hood to reduce the discharge of gross solids, floatable trash and debris to preserve the quality of the receiving waters.
(7) 
Open channels. Where open channel flow is appropriate as determined by the reviewing engineer, the channel shall be properly designed to safely carry the design flow. Open channels shall be in the form of a trapezoid having a bottom width of at least two feet and side slopes of not less than two feet horizontal to one foot vertical. The channel shall be seeded, sodded and riprapped or otherwise stabilized as the flow quantities and velocities require.
(8) 
Under drains. The installation of under drains will be required beneath the edge of pavement of a proposed street whenever the groundwater is known to be less than three feet below the proposed finished grade of the street or as otherwise required by the reviewing engineer. The Board, or in the case of a subdivision the Planning and Zoning Commission, may require under drains to be installed where localized seeps or springs are observed within the proposed street lines during construction.
(9) 
Pipe. All pipe used for storm drainage shall be in accordance with State Department of Transportation standards. The minimum cover over all storm drainage pipe within the right-of-way shall be two feet. All other drainage structures, including catch basins, drop inlets, end walls, riprap, bridges, box culverts, and retaining walls, shall conform to the applicable requirements of the state standard specifications. All pipe and drainage structures shall be thoroughly cleaned upon completion of work, prior to acceptance by the Town.
(10) 
Stormwater quality best management practices.
(a) 
Vegetated swales and buffers. Directing stormwater flow over vegetated surfaces can reduce the velocity, moderate the temperature and reduce the pollutant load of suspended solids in the discharge to receiving waters.
(b) 
Infiltration strips. Intentionally designing areas where stormwater flow can be re-infiltrated reduces the total volume and the resultant pollutant load of the discharge from the site and provides replenishment of groundwater as the runoff is perked back into the water table.
A. 
Special structures. Bridges, box culverts and other special structures shall be designed and constructed where required in accordance with good engineering practice, as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Selectmen.
B. 
Road signs. Road name signs shall be installed at all intersections in locations approved by the Board of Selectmen. Traffic signs shall also be installed as required by the Board. Such signs shall be of a design and material approved by the Board of Selectmen.
C. 
Underground utilities. When electric, telephone, cable and other utility lines are to be installed within a Town right-of-way, whenever possible such facilities shall not be located under the road pavement. For new roads, such lines and facilities shall be installed after the road right-of-way has been graded but prior to installation of the base course for the pavement.
D. 
Monuments. All property monuments and markers involving roads and drainage shall conform to the requirements of the Lyme Subdivision Regulations.
E. 
Fire wells and ponds. All required fire wells and ponds shall be constructed in accordance with good engineering practice and designs and approved by the Board of Selectmen.
F. 
Driveways. Driveways connecting to Town roads shall conform to the requirements of Article II, Driveways and Approaches to Town Roads, of this chapter and to the Lyme Subdivision Regulations.
G. 
Miscellaneous construction. No construction or other activity except minor lawn care or minor landscaping shall be performed within the Town's road right-of-way without first obtaining a permit from the Board of Selectmen. Maintenance of such construction or activity within the Town's right-of-way, such as decorative stone walls, shall not be the responsibility of the Town.