A. 
The Water System in the Township of Allamuchy is a unique public resource held in trust for the benefit of the public who are served by the Water System. This physically limited resource requires proper management to maximize its efficiency and minimize costs to the taxpayers, protect the capital investment made by the Township of Allamuchy in the Water System, and minimize the inconvenience to and negative effects on the public due to damages to the Water System from construction and maintenance activities within streets and easements where water facilities are situated.
B. 
In order to minimize potential impacts to the Township's Water System from encroachments in streets and easements as defined in § 296-45 below by utility companies and contractors, utility companies and contractors are required to notify the Township at least 30 days in advance of the start date for any encroachments within streets or easements that contain Township Water Facilities, including water mains, service connections, curb stops, hydrants, valves, pressure reducing valve chambers, and other appurtenances. Utility companies and contractors shall notify the Township through the submission of Form E-1 entitled "Notification of Encroachments within Streets or Easements that Contain Township Water Facilities."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ENCROACH or ENCROACHMENT
Constructing or placing temporary or permanent structures, improvements, facilities or materials in, on, over, or under any street or easement that contains a Township water facility, including but not limited to the performance of any of the following acts:
A. 
Excavating or disturbing a street or easement that contains a Township water facility;
B. 
Erecting or maintaining any post, sign, pole, fence, scaffolding, guiderail, wall, pipe, conduit well casing, cable, wire, communication service equipment, or other facility or structure, whether permanent or temporary, on, over, or under a street or easement that contains a Township water facility;
C. 
Planting a tree, shrub, grass, or other vegetation, whether permanent or temporary within a street or easement that contains a Township water facility;
D. 
Constructing, placing, or maintaining on, over, under, or within a street or easement that contains a Township water facility whether permanent or temporary, any pathway, sidewalk, driveway, or other surfacing; any culvert or other surface drainage or subsurface drainage facility; or any pipe, conduit, cable, well casing, wire, communication service equipment or facility, or cable;
E. 
Constructing, placing, planting, or maintaining any structure, embankment, excavation, tree, or other object, whether permanent or temporary, adjacent to a street or easement that contains a Township water facility which causes or may cause an encroachment.
EXCAVATION
Any trench cuts within a street or easement that contains a Township water facility to access or install a utility line or any related facility. Excavations may require the filing of a utility encroachment permit.
EXCAVATOR
The applicant/permittee to whom a utility encroachment permit is issued for the purposes of excavation in a street or easement that contains a Township water facility.
FACILITY
Any fiber optic, coaxial, or copper cable; communication service equipment; telephone, telecommunications, electric or other wire, line or equipment; utility structure; oil, gas, or other pipeline; duct; conduit; cabinet; tunnel; vault; storm drain; man-hole; splice box; surface location marker; pole; subsurface tiebacks; soil nails; stairs; access ramps; subsurface foundations; landscape features, including curbs around planter areas; planter boxes; clocks; bus shelters; phone booths; bike racks; fencing; retaining walls; benches; stockpiles; building materials; and other appurtenances or tangible things located in, upon, above, beneath, or across a street or easement that contains a Township water facility.
PERMITTEE
Any person, contractor, utility or special district that has been issued a permit pursuant to this chapter, including any lawful successor, transferee, or assignee of the original permittee. All obligations, responsibilities, and other requirements of the permittee shall be binding on successors in interest of the original permittee.
STREET
The full width of the surfaced or travel portion, including shoulders, of any road, street, path, lane, or alley dedicated to, reserved for, or used by or for the general public whether accepted and owned by the Township, county, state or an association.
STRUCTURE
Any physical alteration or improvement, including but not limited to a building, post, cabinet, fence, vault, sign, pole, guard rail, wall, facility, pedestrian walking path, sidewalk, driveway, track, surfacing, culvert, drain age facility, pipe, embankment, or excavation.
UTILITY
Any person or entity providing electric, gas, telephone, telecommunications, water, or other services to customers in Allamuchy Township and which pursuant to state law or local franchise is entitled to install its facilities in a street or right-of-way.
A. 
Utility companies and contractors that plan to encroach in streets or easements that contain water facilities shall file Form E-1 entitled "Notification of Encroachments within Streets or Easements that Contain Township Water Facilities" with the Township Engineer at least 30 days in advance of the start date for the work. The utility company or contractor shall provide a description of the work that is proposed and the location of the work in the completed Form E-1. The utility company or contractor shall also include a plan with Form E-1 that indicates the location and scope of the proposed work and its relationship to other utilities, including water and sewer facilities owned by the Township.
B. 
Upon receipt of completed Form E-1, the Township Engineer shall review the information to determine if the proposed encroachment will impact or could potentially impact a Township water facility. No fee is required for this review. The Township Engineer will have 10 days from the date of submittal of a complete notification to render a decision on whether the encroachment will impact or could potentially impact a Township water facility.
C. 
If the Township Engineer determines through his review of Form E-1 that the encroachment will impact or could potentially impact a Township water facility, the utility company or contractor shall be required to obtain a utility encroachment permit prior to commencing the work. A utility encroachment permit shall be required if the Township Engineer determines one of the following:
(1) 
The encroachment is proposed less than five feet from a Township water facility within a street or easement, regardless of whether the encroachment will disturb, obstruct, or interfere with the Township water facility.
(2) 
The encroachment involves the installation of pipes, conduits, cable, wires, or other facility or structure, whether permanent or temporary, on, over or under a Township water facility.
(3) 
The encroachment involves the installation of posts, signs, poles, fencing, curbing, guiderail, drainage structures and piping, sidewalks, driveways, trees, utility structures, and other similar facilities and structures, on, over, or under a Township water facility.
(4) 
The encroachment will disturb a Township water facility and require that facility to be reconstructed, restored, or reset.
D. 
If the Township Engineer finds that the proposed encroachment will not impact a Township water facility, no further action will be required and the Township Engineer shall advise the utility company or contractor that a permit pursuant to § 296-47 shall not be required.
A. 
If the Township Engineer determines that a utility company or contractor must obtain a utility encroachment permit prior to the commencement of work within a street or easement that contains a water facility, a utility encroachment permit application shall be filed with the Township for review and approval (See Form E-2 entitled "Utility Encroachment Permit Application").
B. 
A utility encroachment permit application must be accompanied by the following:
(1) 
An application fee in the amount of $200.
(2) 
An escrow fee of not less than $200. Any fees required for reviews in excess of $200 shall be paid by the applicant prior to the issuance of the utility encroachment permit.
(3) 
A cash deposit equal to the estimated cost of restoration, but not less than $500 as a performance bond. The bonding amount will be determined by the Township Engineer as part of the review of the application. Utility companies working under an annual guarantee (bond) are not required to post the cash deposit.
(4) 
A certificate of insurance specifically naming the Township of Allamuchy as "Additionally Insured" shall be provided to the Township of Allamuchy, which meets or exceeds the following coverage and includes the following information:
(a) 
Workmen's compensation and employer's liability insurance the contractor shall take out and maintain during the life of this contract and adequate workmen's compensation and employer's liability insurance for all employees employed in connection with the work, and in case any work is sublet, the contractor shall require each subcontractor similarly to provide workmen's compensation and employer's liability insurance for the employees of the latter, unless such employees are covered by the protection afforded by the contract. Employee's liability insurance shall have limits not less than $500,000 per accident, or for disease $100,000 per claim.
(b) 
Public personal injury liability and property damage liability, including contingent liability and contractual liability and independent contractors.
[1] 
Any one occurrence: $1,000,000.
[2] 
Annual aggregate: $3,000,000.
(c) 
Automobile liability insurance:
[1] 
Per occurrence limit of: $1,000,000.
(d) 
The policy number and period.
(e) 
A description of work for which the certificate covers.
(f) 
Name and address of insured.
(5) 
Twenty-four-hour phone number for emergencies.
(6) 
The name, telephone number, and mailing address (fax number, cell phone, and e-mail address if available) of the person who will receive all office correspondence from the Township of Allamuchy.
(7) 
A plan that includes the following information and details:
(a) 
Name of the street or easement location to be encroached and the nearest cross street.
(b) 
Distance of proposed encroachment from the face of curb or edge of pavement and Township water facilities.
(c) 
Distance of proposed encroachment from the intersection.
(d) 
The size of the encroachment (length and width).
(e) 
The location of any above ground facilities to be installed, showing:
[1] 
Distance from curb or edge of pavement, any street facilities/furnishings and Township water facilities.
[2] 
Purpose of the facility.
[3] 
Size of the facility.
(f) 
The location of any existing underground facilities and the location of underground facilities to be installed showing:
[1] 
Conduit vaults, maintenance holes, pipes, etc.
[2] 
Structural detail and additional information for structures to be installed such as vaults and maintenance holes.
[3] 
The construction method of the structure to be installed.
[4] 
Construction detail, location, size, design criteria and the purpose of the facility to be installed.
[5] 
The relationship between the proposed underground facilities and Township water facilities.
[6] 
Plans and details for any repair or reconstruction of Township water facilities impacted by the construction.
(g) 
Maintenance and protection of traffic plan if required by the owner of the street.
C. 
Once the plans and application are approved by the Township Engineer, the utility encroachment permit will be issued by the Township. Prior to the release of the permit, the applicant shall post all required bonds and pay all required fees, including any past due fees, fines, or penalties owed by the applicant. In addition, the applicant shall be required, if applicable, to address any prior violations that are still open prior to the release of any new permits.
D. 
A preconstruction conference shall be conducted by the Township Engineer for any project that is scheduled to have a duration greater than one week. The utility company and contractor involved in the project shall be in attendance at the meeting.
E. 
Prior to any excavation, the applicant shall provide evidence to the Township Engineer that the "Underground Facility Protection Act" has been complied with.
F. 
Utility encroachment permits issued by the Township are valid for one year unless otherwise specified. The permit shall expire and become void unless the work has been performed and substantially completed within the duration allotted. Applicants may seek an extension of time from the Township to prevent a previously issued permit from expiring.
A. 
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this article shall be subject to one or more of the following: a fine outlined in the table below, a term of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. This shall be in addition to any other remedies available to the Township to enforce this article.
Violations
Action/Fine
1.
Working without a permit.
Notice of violation, stop work, and apply and pay for the required permit followed by a $750 fine if still noncompliant after seven days.
2.
Beginning a "project" without having a pre-construction meeting.
Notice of violation, followed by a $500 fine if still noncompliant after two days.
3.
Violation of permit conditions.
Notice of violation, followed by a $500 fine if still noncompliant after two days.
4.
Working without the submission of a notification per § 296-46.
Notice of violation, followed by a $500 fine if still noncompliant after two days.
(1) 
The above fines, when assessed, shall be paid by the applicant within seven days of the issuance of the fine.
B. 
Suspension.
(1) 
Whenever the Township Engineer or his designee finds that a suspension of a utility encroachment permit is necessary to protect the public health or safety from imminent danger, the Township Engineer or his designee may immediately suspend any such permit pending a hearing for remedial action or revocation. The Township Engineer or his designee shall, within three working days of the emergency suspension, give a written notice of such suspension to the permittee, by personal service or by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address of the permittee. The permittee may, within 15 days after service of such a written notice of suspension, file with the Allamuchy Township Administrator a request for hearing regarding the suspension. The Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee shall schedule a hearing on the suspension within five working days of receipt of a request for hearing. If the Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee, after the hearing, finds that the public health or safety requires correction or alteration of any condition caused by, or existing on the site of the encroachment, he or she shall issue one or more of the following:
(a) 
An order to correct any particular noncompliance.
(b) 
A revocation of the encroachment permit.
(c) 
A continued suspension of the encroachment permit, until such time as the dangerous condition is corrected.
(d) 
A modification or reinstatement of the encroachment permit, with conditions as necessary to prevent harm to the public.
(2) 
The Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee shall, within 10 days of the hearing, render a written opinion, stating the findings upon which the decision is based, and the action taken. The decision of the Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee shall be final, except a decision to revoke the permit which may be appealed to the Township of Allamuchy Governing Body.
C. 
Revocation.
(1) 
The Township Engineer or his designee may recommend that the Township of Allamuchy revoke a permit where he or she finds that:
(a) 
The permittee has violated any provision of this Code or conditions of the permit; or
(b) 
The permittee has failed to pay any required fees, or to post or maintain any bond or insurance required by this chapter; or
(c) 
The encroachment for which the permit was granted adversely affects the safety, capacity, or integrity of a Township water facility.
(d) 
Material misrepresentations, omissions, or inaccuracies were made in the application for the permit.
(2) 
The Township Engineer or his designee shall give the permittee at least 10 days' written notice of a hearing before the Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee on the proposed revocation of a permit issued pursuant to this chapter, setting forth the grounds for such action. If, after reviewing all evidence presented before or at the public hearing, the Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee makes any one of the five findings set forth above, he or she may revoke the permit. The Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee shall, within 10 days after the close of the hearing, render a written opinion, stating the findings upon which the decision is based, and the action taken. The decision of the Allamuchy Township Administrator or his or her designee may be appealed to the Allamuchy Township Governing Body.
A. 
The Township of Allamuchy recognizes that an emergency may arise that requires a utility company to excavate, expose, and repair a pipe, conduit, wire, or structure without the public notification required in accordance with § 296-46.
B. 
Notwithstanding the fact that a utility company or contractor cannot submit Form E-1 30 days in advance of a potential encroachment on a street or easement that contains a Township water facility pursuant to § 296-46 due to the need to address an emergency, the utility company or contractor shall do the following:
(1) 
Notify the Township Engineer and Township Water Operator that work will be performed to address an emergent situation to permit the Township to track the work in the field to ensure that a water facility will either not be disturbed or shall be reconstructed or restored if disturbed.
(2) 
Complete and submit Form E-1 to the Township Engineer within 24 hours of the start of work within the street or easement to address the emergency.
C. 
Upon receipt of completed Form E-1, the Township Engineer shall review the information to determine if the emergency work impacted a Township Water Facility pursuant to § 296-46C(4). If a Township water facility was found to have been impacted and was not reconstructed, restored or reset during the emergent work, the utility company or contractor shall perform the required reconstruction or repair work. Prior to performing the repair work, the utility company or contractor shall obtain a utility encroachment permit in accordance with the provisions in § 296-47.