[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Cresskill 4-1-2020 by Ord. No. 20-03-1553. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meaning as indicated:
PERMITTEE
A person who has been issued a permit.
STREET
Any road, highway, public way, public alley, easement or
other right-of-way accepted or maintained by the Borough as a public
street, as well as any state or county road or highway over which
the Borough has acquired jurisdiction by agreement.
A. No person shall make an excavation in, or tunnel under, any street
or sidewalk without the issuance of a permit. All permits shall be
issued by the Borough Clerk's office.
B. Such permit shall remain in effect for 30 days, provided that such
time may be extended upon application made to the Department of Public
Works and/or the Borough Engineer, with notice to the Borough Clerk,
within the thirty-day period for an additional 30 days, upon good
cause being demonstrated for the noncompletion of the work within
the initial period.
C. Case of emergency. In the event of an emergency, work may commence
immediately, provided that:
(1) An application has been filed with the Borough Clerk with an estimate
of fees required and with an estimated performance guarantee.
(2) The procedure in Subsection
C(1), supra, may be implemented the next business day succeeding the commencement of the work, in the event the emergency takes place after the close of the business day, provided that a call is made to the Police Department citing the nature of the emergency;
(3) The permit, when issued, shall be retroactive to the date on which
the work was begun.
All street opening permits shall be filed with the Borough Clerk
on forms provided by such office and shall provide the following information,
as applicable:
A. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
B. Names, addresses and telephone numbers of parties to be reached in
the event of an emergency.
C. Street address of premises adjacent to proposed opening.
D. The Tax Map lot and block numbers of properties abutting and adjacent
to the portion of the street to be opened.
E. Name, address and telephone number of property owner for whose benefit
opening is to be performed.
F. Character and purpose of the proposed work.
G. Estimated time when work is to be commenced and completed.
H. Plans and specifications or other drawings on permit, showing the
exact location and dimensions of all openings.
I. Name, address and telephone number of the person who is to perform
the work.
J. An acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to replace, at his/her
own cost and expense, the pavement, curb, gutter, lawn, sidewalk and
all other disturbed areas in accordance with current Borough standards
within 90 days of any particular street opening subject to the following:
(1) Within 24 hours of the street opening, the area shall be restored
by complete backfilling with a dense-graded aggregate.
(2) Pavement shall consist of the following:
(a)
Subgrade: approval of existing material by Borough Engineer
or application of new six-inch-thick course of dense-graded aggregate
(DGA).
(b)
Base course: bituminous concrete NJDOT Mix I-2, stabilized base,
four inches thick.
(c)
Intermediate course: bituminous concrete NJDOT Mix I-3, binder,
two inches thick.
(d)
Surface course: bituminous concrete NJDOT Mix I-5, surface,
two inches thick. This may be changed to Mix I-4 on steeper grades
with approval of the Borough Engineer.
(e)
In areas of anticipated truck or other heavy vehicle travel,
the Borough Engineer shall direct the installer to increase the thickness
of the base course by two inches, said base course then to be constructed
in two lifts.
(f)
The surface course installation may be postponed with consent
of the Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer for a reasonable
time to permit trench settlement.
(g)
The placement of the surface course may be delayed in the event
of the winter season to a date not beyond April 15.
(h)
Metal plates may be placed if required by the Borough Engineer.
K. Certain underground conduits, pipes, etc., which may require a sand
cushion adjacent to the structure for protective reasons, will be
required if indicated in the application or at the discretion of the
Borough Engineer.
L. Edges of all excavation shall be cut in a straight line with a saw
or an approved pavement cutter.
M. The nature, location and purpose of the work.
N. A statement that the permittee will comply with this chapter, regulations
and laws relating to the proposed work.
O. A permit shall be required for each and every road excavation.
P. A permit shall not be transferred.
Q. Each permittee, as a condition to receiving their municipal permit,
shall call 1-800-272-1000 to obtain a utility mark-out at least 48
hours prior to commencement of excavation of any street and certify
that (s)he has followed the mark-out procedure for determining the
location of utilities and obstructions within the area of the proposed
work, and submit a mark-out reference number, as provided by the Garden
State Underground Plan Location Service.
R. Sidewalk standards.
(1) All broken or damaged sidewalks shall be replaced as follows:
(a)
Sidewalks shall be of concrete or other approved materials.
Sidewalk width may vary from four feet wide in residential areas to
13 feet in business or commercial areas. Sidewalks shall be four inches
thick, excepting at points of vehicular crossing and at street corner
handicap ramps, where same shall be six inches with reinforcing steel
in residential areas and eight inches with reinforcing steel where
truck or other heavy vehicles are anticipated.
A. Each permittee shall keep each respective opening properly guarded
with lights, devices and manpower as may be required. Barricades,
signs and traffic control shall be in accordance with the Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Work shall be performed in a manner
and by a schedule to minimize traffic interference. No road shall
be closed to traffic unless permission is granted through the office
of the Chief of Police; provided, further, that no road shall be so
closed on a daily basis for more than one day. In the event the Police
Chief, or his/her designee, deems it necessary, an off-duty police
officer shall be employed by the applicant to direct traffic.
B. The permittee shall submit an insurance certificate naming the Borough
as an insured, with coverage in an amount not less than $1,000,000
and shall hold harmless the Borough, its officers and agents from
any loss, injury, claim, demand or damage resulting from any negligence
or fault of the permittee, or the agents of the permittee, in connection
with the performance of work covered by the permit. In the event the
work has not been completed on or before the expiration date of the
permit and the permittee has not requested an extension of time, the
Building Department, if it deems it advisable, may take steps to backfill
the trench and replace a permanent pavement over the opening for which
the permit was issued and charge or deduct same against the permitted
bond. If any extension of time beyond the date is required for the
completion of the work, a new application must be filed.
C. Except in the case of an emergency or special construction requirements,
all road openings shall be closed within 24 hours by the permittee,
or its delegated agent, and thereafter maintained in a safe condition
for vehicular traffic until the permanent surface has been restored.
In the case of an emergency, a substituted closing may be constructed
as directed by the Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer.
D. Any work for which a permit is issued shall be conducted so as not
to interfere with any water main or sewer, or any connection from
a water main or sewer to any building, unless prior permission for
interference has been obtained from the Department of Public Works
and/or Borough Engineer. All rock within five feet of any water main,
sewer or other pipe which may become damaged shall be removed without
blasting. No excavation which may damage trees or shrubbery shall
be made without the prior permission of the Borough Engineer.
E. When closing the street, each permittee shall completely backfill
the trench with approved material which is to be placed in layers
not exceeding 12 inches in thickness, moistened as required, and each
layer tamped until thoroughly compacted.
F. In the restoration of original pavement in an excavation, the following
rules shall govern:
(1) The foundation shall be restored to a width of 12 inches wider than
the width of the trench, except where deemed unnecessary in the reasonably
exercised judgment of the Department of Public Works and/or Borough
Engineer.
(2) The surface pavement shall extend 12 inches wider than the width
of the foundation and six inches longer than the length of the foundation.
(3) The permittee must install the restored foundation as well as the
restored surface of all opening.
G. In cases where it is necessary to resort to tunneling operation to
reach the point of connection with any main line, the backfill in
the tunnel shall be of rammed cement concrete composed of a mixture
of one part of cement and six parts of coarse aggregate material.
H. The Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer shall require
special conditions in any special case, as may be required.
I. The Borough Engineer shall receive a copy of the plan and, after
evaluation, set an escrow deposit commensurate with the circumstances
in the exercise of his/her reasonable judgment.
J. The Borough Engineer may make any reasonable rules and regulations
which (s)he considers necessary for the administration and enforcement
of this chapter, but no regulation shall be inconsistent with, alter
or amend any provisions of this chapter or impose any requirement
which is in addition to those expressly imposed by this chapter.
A. Utility companies, including those engaged in the installation of
gas, water and electronic lines, shall report to the Department of
Public Works and/or Borough 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 Borough.
B. Except in the case of emergency, the Borough shall have the right
to schedule street openings with utility companies in a manner which
will create the least disturbance to pavement courses, in furtherance
of which purpose the Borough Engineer shall provide to the utilities
a schedule of expected street construction and resurfacing.
C. Bond.
(1) Any public utility corporation authorized by law to install or repair
underground pipe lines or conduits in the Borough shall issue an indemnity
to the Borough in an amount of not less than the utility company's
full faith financial credit in lieu of cash indemnity. The bond shall
automatically renew annually without further documentation.
(2) The bond shall be conditioned upon:
(a)
Making of the excavations or repairs in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter.
(b)
Complying with the conditions set forth herein.
(c)
Restoring the pavement of any disturbed street (curb to curb)
or sidewalk, or under its authority, to the satisfaction of the Department
of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer.
(d)
Safeguarding, protecting and indemnifying the Borough against
any damages, expense or loss likely to be sustained or suffered by
the Borough by reason of the making, refilling or resurfacing of any
excavation or resulting from insufficient lighting and guarding of
the excavation.
For excavations in excess of 15 square yards, permits shall
be issued subject to the following terms and conditions:
A. Applicants other than public utilities shall first enter into a bond
with the Borough with a reasonable surety acceptable to the Borough.
The bond shall be in the amount of not less than $5,000.
B. The applicant shall first submit plans and profiles in duplicate
for the approval by the Borough Engineer. Any changes from the plans
or profiles during the construction work shall be approved by the
Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer.
C. The Borough reserves the right to engage the services of its Engineer
or Inspector or both to supervise the construction work. The cost
of such supervisions shall be assumed by the permittee and become
due and payable 30 days after the receipt of a statement from the
Borough. Final construction approvals shall not be issued until all
supervision fees have been satisfied.
D. All excavations on any street or sidewalk and any pavement or flagging
taken up by the permittee for the purpose of repairing or installing
any underground pipeline, conduit and the like shall be restored to
as good condition as before the commencement of work, and shall be
maintained in such condition for one year after completion of work.
No street or sidewalk shall be encumbered with any material or equipment
after the date of completion stated in the application.
E. Any damage done to the pavement of any street or other property by
the permittee as a result of the operation shall be repaired within
the time designated by the Borough Engineer. Should the permittee
fail to make repairs within the time designated, the Borough shall
proceed to make and complete such repairs at the expense of the permittee.
This chapter authorizes payment to the Borough from the bond or escrow
as the case may be.
A. All permittees, including, but not limited to, public utilities,
their contractors or contractors of state or federal agencies, shall
deposit a guarantee in the amount of $5,000 with the Chief Financial
Officer of the Borough in the form of an indemnity bond or bank draft
acceptable to the Borough. The deposits required herein shall be held
in an interest-free account by the Borough. One year after final restoration
of the work pending the approval of the Department of Public Works
and/or Borough Engineer, the guarantee shall be returned to the permittee.
However, should the Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer,
upon final inspection, determine that the construction under this
permit was unsatisfactory and/or otherwise in violation of the approved
plans or conditions attached to the permit and should the permittee,
upon receipt of written notice of deficiencies fail to remedy the
same in 30 days, then the Department of Public Works and/or Borough
Engineer shall initiate the process to deduct from the permittee's
guarantee all expenses incurred by the Borough in performing the necessary
repairs to remediate the same.
B. The Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer shall have
the right to request the performance of borings in the pavement, cutting
of cores in the pavement or to perform other investigations as deemed
necessary to confirm that the provisions of the road opening permit
have been satisfied. The cost of such investigations shall be the
permittee's responsibility.
C. The Borough Engineer may require an extended maintenance period in
excess of one year and an additional maintenance guarantee depending
upon the nature of the work involved. This additional obligation will
be released upon completion of the work and acceptance of the work
by the Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer.
D. When a maintenance bond is posted, it shall be by a surety company
licensed to do business in the State of New Jersey.
E. The release of the guarantee shall be also conditioned upon the permittee
restoring the surface and any damage to the street (curb to curb)
and/or sidewalk abutting the work site and those streets which had
sustained damage through the use of construction equipment and vehicles.
F. For utility main construction, other or additional conditions may
be prescribed by the Borough Engineer. Plans for such projects must
have the approval of the Borough Engineer before a permit may be issued.
The permittee shall be under a duty to properly guard the excavation
by the erection of suitable barriers by day and flashing lights or
flares by night. The contractor or utility company shall be strictly
liable for any neglect to safeguard the traveling public.
Where the excavation is to extend the full width of the road,
only one-half of it shall be made at one time and shall be backfilled
before the other half is excavated, so as not to interfere with traffic.
The excavation and backfilling shall be made within the time specified
in the permit.
A. Each applicant for a permit, before its issuance, shall pay to the
Borough Clerk a fee as set forth by Council resolution.
B. The permittee shall deposit with the Borough Clerk such escrow fees
as are reasonably anticipated to be required to reimburse the Borough
for the cost of plan review and inspections, as may be required by
the Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer. In the event
the project extends beyond the anticipated completion time, the Borough
Engineer may deem that additional escrows be deposited to cover Borough
expenses.
Whenever, in the opinion of the Borough Engineer, the nature
of any street improvement through which an excavation has been made
is such that it will be for the best interest of the Borough to bring
the filling to grade with such fill to make the street safe and fit
for public travel, any escrow or bond moneys deposited upon application
for the permit shall be utilized to meet the expense of such repavements.
Should the pavement not be replaced within 30 days in the manner
and condition to correspond with the remainder of the pavement on
the street, the person holding the permit shall be in violation of
this chapter. In that event, the Borough, under the direction of the
Department of Public Works and the Borough Engineer, shall direct
the repair of that portion(s) of the street, and all expenses shall
be deducted from the permit fee, bond or escrow on deposit with the
Borough. Should there be a deficit after making this deduction, the
Borough may institute suit of recovery against the permit holder in
a court of proper jurisdiction.
Any person who shall violate, permit, allow or suffer to be
violated any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine
of not more than $1,000 for each violation, and the imposition of
the payment of the required fees, as provided for by Council resolution.
For the purpose of this chapter, each day that a violation remains
in effect shall be considered a separate violation.
A. Once a year, the Borough Engineer shall notify public utility providers
and municipalities of planned work on Borough roads. Any work to be
done on these roads will have to be done before paving is started.
Such notice shall state that no road opening permit shall be issued
for openings, cuts or excavations in such Borough road for a period
of 10 years after the date of paving. The notice shall also notify
such permittee that applications for road opening permits, for work
to be done prior to such paving, shall be submitted promptly in order
that the work covered by the permit may be complete before paving.
B. During such ten-year period, no permit shall be issued to open, cut
or excavate in such Borough road unless, in the judgment of the Borough
Engineer, an emergency exists which makes it absolutely essential
that the road opening permit be issued.
C. The Borough Clerk is authorized to demand a cash escrow or equivalent
in the amount not exceeding the cost to repair the open area of roadway
to its preconstruction condition, or call the full faith and cash
bond to assure that any road opening on roadways paved within the
past 10 years is restored satisfactorily. The restoration shall include
milling and repaving of the area so as to blend uniformly with the
adjacent roadway as per the conditions stated in the permit, including
restoration of pavement markings, signage and all other appurtenances.
There shall at all times be a passageway of at least three quarters
of the width of the street between the material stored and the opposite
curb. Sidewalks shall be kept unencumbered of any material for a width
of not less than four feet. Where the sidewalk is removed for excavating
or other purposes, that part of the sidewalk shall be made passable
by laying planks, metal plates, or other suitable material.
No permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall grant or be
deemed to grant the permittee the right to make connection with any
sewer. For such purpose, a separate permit shall be issued by the
Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer.
The Department of Public Works, with the assistance of the Borough
Engineer, shall ascertain whether the permits required by this section
have been issued, supervise all excavations and backfilling, and report
all violations of this section to Borough Administrator. The Department
of Public Works and/or Police Department shall be authorized to direct
the issuance of a summons for any violations arising out of Ordinance.
The Police Department shall enforce the regulations covering
erection of suitable barriers, warning signs and lights or flares
and all other provisions of this chapter, so as to safeguard the traveling
public. The Police Department, with the assistance of the Department
of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer, shall prosecute all violations
of this chapter.