It shall be the duty of owners of property abutting any public street, lane, repair, and keep free from obstruction any sidewalks along such property which are regularly available for the use of the public, whether such sidewalks are located on the owner's property or within the boundaries of the streets abutting such property.
In the event that the condition of any such sidewalk or walkway requires maintenance, repair or the removal of obstructions therefrom, the Supervisors shall cause a notice to be sent, in writing, to the owners of the property requiring said owners to effect such repairs, maintenance or removal of the obstruction from the sidewalks.
If the notice required under § 320-44 of this chapter is sent out by August 1, the owner shall make all repairs by November 30 of that year. If the repair notice is sent out after August 1, then all repairs shall be made by May 31 of the following calendar year. Defects which are substantial safety hazards shall be fixed within the time frame listed in the repair notice.
The property owner shall be guilty of a separate violation of this chapter for every five-day period beyond the repair due date that the defects go uncorrected. The owner may be subject to separate prosecutions and separate fines for each violation.
Upon failure of any property owner to make necessary repairs required by the notice provided for hereinabove within the time fixed by this chapter, the Township is hereby authorized and empowered through its duly authorized agents, servants or employees to enter upon the premises and make the necessary repairs or remove the offending obstructions, and the expense thereof shall be levied against the property and collected from the owners in the manner provided for the collection of municipal liens. Any claims entered against the owners shall be a lien upon the premises dating from the time of the commencement of work.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Section 187, Penalties, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 8-14-196 by Ord. No. 96-330.
[Added 1-2-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-384]
The Township Engineer or designated representative may perform sidewalk inspections periodically to determine what sidewalks are in need of replacement or repair. Sidewalks shall be replaced/repaired when one or more of the following conditions exist:
A.
Vertical alignment. When a sidewalk square has risen or sunk one inch or more in relation to the remainder of the square or to an adjacent square.
B.
Horizontal alignment. When a crack within a square or a joint between two adjacent squares has separated to a distance of one inch or greater and is three inches or longer in length. If a crack exists that does not meet the above criteria but in the opinion of the Township Engineer creates a tripping hazard, the square shall be replaced or repaired.
C.
Surface deterioration. When 25% or more of the exposed horizontal surface has chipped or crumbled, exposing aggregate and creating peaks and valleys, to a depth at any point of 1/2 inch or more below the original surface. Also in any area of at least 16 square inches that has surface deterioration or developed a hole of at least one-half-inch deep in the surface.
D.
Slope. If a situation occurs that causes a sidewalk square to settle or buckle in any way that produces a slope of 8% or more.
E.
Ponding. If the concrete has settled, allowing water to pond to a depth of one inch or more.