A. 
The Planning Board shall be the administrative agency of these regulations and shall have all the powers assigned to it by MGL c. 41, §§ 81A to 81GG.
B. 
The Planning Board may assign as its agents appropriate Town agencies or officials and may hire professional assistance to review plans and inspect/observe improvements, at the cost of the applicant.
C. 
The Board, on its own motion or on the petition of any interested person, shall have the power to modify, amend, or rescind its approval of a plan of a subdivision, or to require a change in a plan as a condition of its retaining the status of an approved plan, in accordance with MGL c. 41, § 81W.
A. 
Waiver of compliance.
(1) 
Strict compliance with the requirements of these rules and regulations may be waived only when, in the judgment of the Board, such action is in the public interest and not inconsistent with the Subdivision Control Law.[1] In waiving strict compliance, the Board may require such alternative conditions as will serve substantially the same object as the standards or regulations waived.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MGL c. 41, §§ 81K through 81GG.
(2) 
Request for waivers from Planning Board. Waiver requests shall be submitted with and stated on the definitive plan or contained in a separate instrument attached thereto and referred to on said plan. All such requests for waivers shall be heard at the public hearing for the definitive plan.
B. 
Planned development. The Planning Board will give consideration to suggestions offered by the developer that will tend to provide for the most efficient use of land in harmony with its natural features.
A. 
For matters that may arise during subdivision procedures that are not covered by these regulations, the following are accepted as standards in their applicable portions:
(1) 
Sections 81K to 81GG of Chapter 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
(2) 
Suggested Land Subdivision Regulations, Housing and Home Finance Agency (HHFA).
(3) 
A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, latest edition, as amended.
(4) 
Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges, Massachusetts Highway Department (formerly the "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works"), latest edition, as amended.
(5) 
Construction Standards, Massachusetts Highway Department (formerly the "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works"), latest edition, as amended.
B. 
Compaction testing for installation of water and other lines shall be in accordance with Massachusetts Highway Department specifications, the Town of Norfolk Highway Department, or the Town of Norfolk Water Department, whichever is the most stringent.
If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or provision of these regulations shall be proved to be invalid for any reason, the invalidity shall apply only to the material so affected, and the remainder of these regulations shall be deemed valid and effective.
These regulations or any portion thereof may be amended, supplemented or repealed from time to time by the Board after a public hearing on its own motion or by petition, in accordance with MGL c. 41, § 81Q.
A. 
See Article 10 for fee schedule relative to observation/observation of improvements. Applicants are to pay a fee for the observation/observation of improvements. This fee is in two parts and is to be paid at the time of endorsement of the plan by the Planning Board. The Planning Board consulting engineer observation fee and Town Highway Department observation fee are payable at the time of endorsement of the definitive plan. All unexpended funds are to be returned to the applicant at the time of street acceptance by the Town of Norfolk. Town Highway Department observation fees are authorized under MGL c. 44, § 53E  1/2. The rate paid is for observations made by Town of Norfolk employees at the hourly pay rate of employees who are authorized to make observations for the Norfolk Planning Board.
B. 
The proper inspecting/observation Town official and/or agent shall indicate on Form K1, Subdivision Observation Checklist,[1] the date of observation and the approval signature and shall file such form, and an observation report, if any, with the Board subsequent to each observation.
[1]
Editor's Note: Form K1 can be obtained from the Planning Board office.
C. 
The Planning Board or its agent, Highway Superintendent or his agent, Health Department, Tree Warden, Water Department, Police Department, and Fire Department shall be separately notified, in writing, at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of any of the work.
D. 
If any of the designated work below is commenced without proper notification being given as specified, such work shall be performed at the risk of the developer or owner. Sufficient lines and grades shall be provided by the developer or owner for the purpose of verifying that installation is in accordance with the definitive plans.
(1) 
Erosion and sedimentation controls. Prior to work commencing within the subdivision, the installation of all erosion and sedimentation controls required by the subdivision approval is to be observed.
Observation No. 1: Erosion and Sedimentation Controls.
(2) 
Clearing and grubbing of right-of-way. The entire area between excavation/embankment areas shall be cleared, except trees of aesthetic value and those over four-inch caliper may be allowed to remain, provided that they are located at least five feet outside the street line and are approved by the Tree Warden and the Planning Board. Loam and topsoil shall be removed and stacked.
Observation No. 2: Clearing and Grubbing of Right-of-Way.
(3) 
Excavation. Earth shall be excavated to the lines and grades shown on the plans. Earth removal shall be performed as per the requirements of Article 9 and in accordance with Town of Norfolk bylaws (Chapter 156, Earth Removal), as most recently amended. Muck, rock, clay, boulders, and other unstable material shall be removed to a depth as directed by the inspector/observer.
Inspection No. 3: Excavation.
(4) 
Embankments. Embankments shall be constructed of approved materials as specified with appropriate compaction test results provided.
Observation No. 4: Embankment Construction.
(5) 
Staking. Roadways are to be staked at fifty-foot intervals at their center line and at right-of-way line prior to work commencing on the storm drainage system.
Observation No. 5: Staking.
(6) 
Storm drainage system. Storm drainage system shall be installed in conformity with the definitive plan and Water Department requirements with appropriate compaction test results provided prior to backfilling. These shall include all drains, catch basins, manholes, culverts, retention/detention basins, and subdrains called for in such plan. In no case shall any drain pipe or culvert be within two feet of the subgrade plane. All drainage installation shall be inspected prior to backfilling.
Observation No. 6: Below Grade Storm Drain Installation.
Observation No. 22: At Surface Storm Drains.
Observation No. 39: Retention/Detention Basins and Appurtenances.
(7) 
Sanitary sewer system. All sanitary sewer mains, manholes, laterals, testing, and associated equipment shall be installed in conformity with the definitive plan and as required. All sewer installation and low-pressure air testing shall be inspected and completed prior to backfilling.
Observation No. 7: Below Grade Sanitary Sewer Installation.
Observation No. 8: Sanitary Sewer Laterals Installation.
Observation No. 9: Sanitary Sewer Testing.
Observation No. 23: At Surface Sanitary Sewers.
(8) 
Water system. All water mains, laterals, hydrants, and associated equipment shall be installed in conformity with the definitive plan. Installation and testing, including but not limited to compaction testing, shall be inspected. Prior to acceptance, the following shall be accomplished:
Observation No. 10: Below Grade Water Main Installation.
Observation No. 11: Water Main Testing and Disinfection.
Observation No. 12: Water Main Laterals Installation.
Observation No. 24: At Surface Valve Boxes.
Observation No. 25: At Surface Curb Boxes.
Observation No. 31: Hydrants, Finish Grade.
(9) 
Subgrade of right-of-way. Subgrade shall be brought to the proper grade and cross section, and fine graded and compacted in accordance with the specifications and to the satisfaction of the inspector/observer.
Observation No. 13: Fine Grade and Compact Subgrade.
(10) 
Processed gravel base and base. The gravel for the roadway base and driveway, sidewalk, and curb-cut ramp bases shall be installed in layers not exceeding six inches in compacted depth and as specified.
Observation No. 14: Gravel Base for Roadway, First Course of Six Inches Compacted Processed Gravel.
Observation No. 14A: Gravel Base for Roadway, Second Course of Six Inches Compacted Processed Gravel.
Observation No. 14B: Gravel Base for Roadway, Third Course of Six Inches Compacted Processed Gravel.
Observation No. 15: Dense Graded Crushed Stone Base, Final Course.
Observation No. 16: Processed Gravel Base for Sidewalks, First Course of Six Inches Compacted Processed Gravel.
Observation No. 17: Processed Gravel for Sidewalks, Final Course.
(11) 
Dense-graded crushed stone base. The dense-graded crushed stone for base shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 18: Dense Graded Crushed Stone for Roadway Base.
Observation No. 18A: Survey of Center Line and Both Gutter Lines.
(12) 
Bituminous concrete pavement.
(a) 
The bituminous concrete pavement for roadways, sidewalks, driveways, and curb-cut ramps shall be installed as specified in two courses, binder and finish, and driveways constructed starting at the gutter line and sloping up towards the right-of-way.
(b) 
A tack coat of bituminous material shall be applied by mechanical means immediately prior to installation of top course of pavement.
Observation No. 19: Roadway Binder Course/Temporary Berm.
Observation No. 21: Sidewalk Binder Course.
Observation No. 26: Roadway Tack Coat.
Observation No. 26A: Roadway Finish Course.
Observation No. 27: Sidewalk Tack Coat.
Observation No. 27A - Sidewalk Finish Course
(13) 
Curb and edging. Curb and edging shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 20: Curb/Edging Installation.
Observation No. 20A: Curb Inlet Stone Installation.
Observation No. 20B: Transition Curb Installation.
(14) 
Curb-cut ramps and transformer pads. Transformer pad location to be approved by Planning Board or its agent and constructed pad observed by Planning Board agent.
Observation No. 28: Curb-cut Ramps.
Observation No. 28A: Transformer Pads.
(15) 
Loam and seed. Loam and seed shall be installed in all grass strips and on embankment/excavation slopes as specified and to the satisfaction of the inspector/observer.
Observation No. 30: Loam and Seed.
(16) 
Retaining walls. Retaining walls shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 32: Retaining Walls.
(17) 
Guardrails. Guardrails shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 33: Guardrails.
(18) 
Street trees and plantings. Street trees and plantings shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 34: Trees and Planting (developer to provide documentation of tree warranty).
(19) 
Street signs and bounds. Street signs and bounds shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 35: Bounds and Monuments.
Observation No. 37: Street Signs.
(20) 
Fire alarm system. Fire alarm systems shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 36: Fire Alarm Installation.
(21) 
Streetlights. Streetlights shall be installed as specified.
Observation No. 38: Streetlights.
(22) 
Final cleanup. Final cleanup shall be accomplished to the satisfaction of the inspector.
Observation No. 40: Final Cleanup Observation.
(23) 
Maintenance. Streets and appurtenances shall be maintained as specified to the satisfaction of the inspector/observer.
Observation No. 41: Maintenance.
(24) 
As-built/acceptance plan/running description of roadway and easements. See § 325-3.4G for additional steps to finalize completion of Form K, Observation Report, and acceptance by the Town of subdivision roadways.
Observation No. 42: Acceptance Plans/Running Descriptions.
(25) 
Deed/easement submittal. Proper deed for street right-of-way and proper easements to the benefit of the Town of Norfolk.
Observation No. 43: Deeds/Easements.
(26) 
Other. Special conditions of approval or other items that may have been required within the approval conditions.
Observation No. 44: Miscellaneous other items.
NOTE: See § 325-3.4G for additional steps to finalize completion of Form K and acceptance by the Town of Norfolk subdivision roadways.