[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Readington 11-5-1979.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Sewer Authority — See Ch. 52.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 96.
Driveways — See Ch. 106.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 123.
Land development — See Ch. 148.
Sewers — See Ch. 187.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 204.
Trailers and trailer parks — See Ch. 219.
Individual sewage disposal systems — See Ch. 268.
Individual and semipublic water supply — See Ch. 277.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Road and Improvement
Ordinance of the Township of Readington."
The purpose of this chapter shall be to apply rules, regulations and
standards for the improvements required prior to the acceptance of roads or
improvements into the municipal road or utility systems of the Township of
Readington. Except as superseded by the Residential Site Improvement Standards
(N.J.A.C. 5:21-1.2 et seq.) promulgated by the Commissioner of Community Affairs,
this chapter shall apply to new roads or improvements hereafter created and
to existing roads, improvements or rights-of-way presently used but not accepted
into the municipal road or improvement systems of the Township of Readington
and not heretofore accepted for full municipal maintenance.
A.
The Township Engineer must review and approve the plans
for construction of the improvements envisioned herein. Construction plans
in detail similar to those required for submission to a state agency must
be submitted in plan and profile view, together with cross sections, details
and engineering calculations sufficient for a thorough review and adequate
to be used as the plans for actual construction. Deviations from the approved
plans will not be permitted until written approval is obtained from the Township
Engineer.
B.
If the improvements to be installed hereunder are part
of the requirements of subdivision approval, then the detailed construction
plans approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment and Township
Engineer may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section. The submission
to the Township Engineer must be accompanied by approval reports from any
local, county, state or federal agency having an interest in the application.
A.
Subsequent to the adoption of this chapter, all roads
and improvements shall comply with the following standards of construction
before the same are accepted into the municipal road or improvement systems
of the Township of Readington and accepted for full municipal maintenance.
B.
The term "plan" as used herein shall be the road and
improvement plan approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment
of Readington Township where a new road or an improvement of an existing road
or an individual improvement is required by virtue of a subdivision, or a
road or improvement plan approved by the Township Engineer in the case of
an existing road or improvement being improved to township standards for the
purpose of acceptance into the township road or improvement systems for full
municipal maintenance.
C.
All installations shall follow good engineering and construction practices as currently used in the area and the standards of design and construction as provided in Schedule 1 annexed hereto[1] and of the detail drawings annexed hereto as Exhibits A through
F,[2] inclusive, and shall further follow the construction practices
as set forth in the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction,
1961, as amended, New Jersey Department of Transportation, commonly referred
to as the "Green Book" (hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the "Green
Book") unless modified herein.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule 1, Parts A and B, is included at the end of this chapter.
D.
The contractor chosen by the developer/applicant must
be qualified by experience to perform the type of work required and must be
prepared to prove that he has done similar work satisfactorily in other municipalities.
The contractor shall, on request of the township, submit a written statement
showing as a minimum his plan for doing the work, his commitments for the
supply of materials, the equipment he has available to do the work and its
condition, a list of past and present contractors and such other information
and documentation as the township may require.
E.
The contractor chosen by the developer/applicant must
have a full-time qualified superintendent on the project at all times when
work is being done on the improvements. The name of this superintendent shall
be furnished to the Township Engineer at the preconstruction conference. This
full-time superintendent shall be responsible for all subcontractors.
F.
The developer/applicant is at all times responsible for
the contractor.
A.
The Articles of Division 2 of the Green Book must be
strictly adhered to in the work. The applicant's attention is specifically
called to the provisions for removal of unsuitable material from the subgrade
and to the need for adequate compaction of all fills.
B.
Subbase material is to be placed in roadway areas as
required by the Township Engineer to eliminate unstable conditions.
C.
The project must be kept properly drained at all times
during construction of the subgrade.
B.
If macadam base course or a premixed or quarry-processed
base course is permitted and to be used, it must be constructed with a stone
spreader or stone box and at the density specified for the project by the
Township Engineer.
C.
All materials and mixes used must conform to current
New Jersey State Department of Transportation standards and must be from New
Jersey State Department of Transportation-approved sources of supply/manufacture.
D.
Weather limitations imposed by Division 3 of the Green
Book will be strictly enforced.
E.
Rates and temperature of application of bituminous materials
will be as specified by the Township Engineer for the project.
F.
Penetration macadam will require clean stone and the
acceptability of the stone to be used rests solely with the Township Engineer.
Any stone delivered to the project and determined by the Township Engineer
or his representative to be unsatisfactory shall not be unloaded and shall
be returned to the source of supply.
G.
All pavements, regardless of type, will be constructed
at the density required by the Township Engineer. The applicant or his contractor
must submit a job-mix formula for approval for all bituminous concrete mixes
to be used. Submission is to be prior to the preconstruction conference.
H.
Paving may not commence until approval of the subgrade
has been given by the Township Engineer.
Refer to Division 4 of the Green Book for standards for bridge structures.
A.
Underdrains shall be constructed, if and where directed
by the Township Engineer, as construction progresses.
B.
Only new reinforced concrete culvert pipe of the proper
class may be used.
C.
All materials must be from a source of supply approved
by the New Jersey State Department of Transportation and shall be so marked
where applicable.
D.
Backfill of pipe trenches and areas around road structures
shall be as required by Article 2.7.3 of the Green Book.
E.
Pipes are to be laid true to line and grade as established
by the approved plans, and no curvature or departure from a perfectly straight
alignment, either vertically or horizontally, will be permitted.
F.
Manholes and inlets are to be constructed so that castings
bear evenly on all supporting walls. Cocked or unevenly supported castings
will not be permitted. Weepholes are to be provided in all storm sewer structures
unless waived by the Township Engineer. Proper channels must be poured in
all drainage structures, and pipes are to be cut off flush with structure
walls.
G.
All curbing is to be constructed on a firm and thoroughly
tamped subgrade. No departure from true alignment and grade will be permitted.
Cracked or otherwise damaged curb will not be approved. Expansion joints are
to be placed at twenty-foot intervals and false joints at the midpoint of
each curb section. The full depth of curbing, 20 inches, must be provided
under depressed driveway openings.
H.
Headwalls and inlets are to be cast in place. No precast
structures are allowed.
I.
The type of guardrail shall be as specified on the plans
and as approved by the township for the project. Guardrails shall be constructed
only by an experienced guardrail contractor.
J.
The Township Engineer is to be consulted for approval
of the design criteria for items such as storm sewer sizing and spacing and
locations of inlets.
A.
Refer to Division 6 of the Green Book for standards for
electrical work.
B.
All utility trenches for electrical service or similar
services, such as underground telephone, are to be backfilled and tamped as
directed by the Township Engineer similarly to trenches for other utilities,
including storm sewers. All road crossings must be made and backfilled prior
to commencement of the paving operation.
A.
Trees larger than three inches in diameter shall be saved
wherever possible and shall be protected from damage. The Township Engineer
shall designate those trees which are to be saved. Fill may not be placed
around trees. Tree wells are to be provided where necessary and trees to remain
within the improvement project limits are to be trimmed, as directed by the
Township Engineer.
B.
All projects require a soil erosion and sedimentation
control plan approved by the township, and this plan will be rigidly enforced.
C.
Landscaping within the right-of-way or easement will
be as required by the township.
Sections 8 and 9 of the Green Book are to be adhered to with regard
to materials and tests, unless waived for specific reason by the Township
Engineer.
A.
This is a special division which is not covered by the
Green Book. Where such regulations exist, the applicant is bound by any rules
adopted by any township body having jurisdiction over sanitary sewers.
B.
Sanitary sewers are to be located, designed and constructed
in strict accordance with the rules and regulations currently in effect and
promulgated by the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection.
Permits required by said Department must be applied for and obtained by the
applicant. Approval of plans is also required by the Township Engineer and
the township body having jurisdiction over sanitary sewers.
C.
Sanitary sewers, including laterals, are to be bedded
and backfilled as required by the Township Engineer and the detail exhibit.
Pipe trenches are to be backfilled and tamped as required by Article 2.7.3
of the Green Book.
D.
Gravity sanitary sewer pipe must be cast or ductile iron,
vitrified clay or asbestos cement as shown on the plans. Approved classes
and types of pipe must be appropriate for the intended installation. All pipe
is to be installed in a manner designated by the Township Engineer to protect
against shear or any type of breakage. Force mains are to be constructed of
ductile iron. Pipe manufactured from materials not mentioned herein will be
considered for use upon submission of an engineering justification report
to the Township Engineer.
E.
Sewers will be tested by the applicant under the inspection
of and as directed by the Township Engineer for infiltration and must meet
infiltration standards established by the State Department of Environmental
Protection. Sewers will be initially tested upon completion, and subsequent
tests will be required periodically until the sewer improvement is accepted
by the township at the end of the maintenance period. All defects found will
be corrected immediately. Hard-to-locate sources of infiltration or inflow
may require televising at the expense of the applicant.
F.
Treatment facilities, pumping stations, metering pits,
force mains and other sanitary sewer appurtenances require approval permits
and testing as required above for sanitary sewers.
G.
All gravity house laterals are to be provided with an
observation/cleanout hole at a location directed by the Township Engineer.
H.
It is the obligation of the applicant to arrange with
the appropriate agency for the sewer capacity he requires.
A.
This is a special division which is not covered by the
Green Book. Where such regulations exist, the applicant is bound by any rules
adopted by any township body having jurisdiction over public water facilities.
If water is furnished within the municipality by a body other than the municipal
government itself, such permits as may be required by that other body must
be secured by the applicant and the rules of that body are to be adhered to
as well as the rules herein.
B.
Water facilities are to be located, designed and constructed
in strict conformance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Permits required by said Department
must be applied for and obtained by the applicant. Approval of plans is also
required by the Township Engineer and the township body, if any, having jurisdiction
over public water supplies.
C.
Water mains and the portion of services within the road
right-of-way are to be bedded and backfilled as required by the Township Engineer
and the detail exhibit. All pipe trenches are to be backfilled and tamped
as required by Article 2.7.3 of the Green Book.
D.
Water pipe must be of the type and material specified
by the agency responsible for supplying and/or regulating the supply of water
within the township.
E.
Fire hydrants are to be located where directed by the
Fire Department serving the area of the project and must be the type designated
by that Fire Department so as to be compatible with fire-fighting equipment.
F.
Fire hydrants and the total water supply facility for
the project must be certified by a qualified independent agency as meeting
the minimum requirements for fire flows and domestic use. With respect to
fire flows, certification is required from the Insurance Services Office of
New Jersey.
G.
It is the obligation of the applicant to arrange with
the appropriate supplier for the water capacity he requires and to furnish
documented proof of the supplier's technical ability to supply.
Any of the improvements to be installed under this chapter may require,
in addition to the provisions hereof, permits for the construction and occupancy
of structures falling under the jurisdiction of the uniform construction codes
and the Code Enforcement Officer. It is the obligation of the applicant to
ascertain the need for such additional permits and to obtain the same for
items such as but not limited to pump houses, treatment facility buildings,
construction offices and warehouses.
A.
Improvements necessary to the proposed project or required
for the project and not specifically covered by the Green Book or by other
sections of this chapter must follow normally accepted standards for the design
and construction of those improvements currently in use in the area. Examples
of items which might fall under this category are stormwater detention-retention
devices, drainage swales, recharge wells, filter berms and others without
limitation. Improvements of this nature are to be based on design criteria
currently being used in the municipality and specifics are to be approved
by the Township Engineer.
B.
Unique or unusual engineering solutions to problems which
result in improvements under the purview of this chapter will be reviewed
on a case-to-case basis and the applicant is expected to supplement his submission
of plans with proof that the solution has functioned satisfactorily elsewhere.
A.
All improvements, including electric, gas, sewer and
water lines, shall be installed under the inspection of the Township Engineer,
the cost thereof to be borne by the developer or applicant. Inspection costs
shall be computed by the Township Engineer in accordance with the following
schedule. If the total cost of required improvements is:
(1)
Not over $5,000, then the fee is $250.
(2)
Over $5,000 but not over $10,000, the fee is $250 plus
4 1/2% of excess over $5,000.
(3)
Over $10,000 but not over $50,000, the fee is $475 plus
4% of excess over $10,000.
(4)
Over $50,000 but not over $75,000, the fee is $2,075
plus 3 1/2% of excess over $50,000.
(5)
Over $75,000 but not over $100,000, the fee is $2,950
plus 3% of excess over $75,000.
(6)
Over $100,000, the fee is $3,700 plus 2 1/2% of
excess over $100,000.
B.
Such fee, in the form of cash or certified check, shall
be deposited with the Clerk of the Township of Readington before the commencement
of any construction. Any unexpended portion of the inspection fee shall be
returned to the developer; or the developer shall reimburse the township for
inspection costs which exceed the inspection fee.
C.
For the purpose of establishing fee amounts, the applicant's
engineer shall furnish to the Township Engineer an estimate of the cost of
the improvements based on prices currently common to municipal-type contracts
in the area.
A.
At least two weeks prior to the start of construction,
the applicant shall notify the Township Engineer in writing, with a copy to
the Municipal Clerk and Secretary of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of
Adjustment, of the date when construction will begin, so that a preconstruction
conference can be held and inspections may be conducted by the Township Engineer.
If, during installation of any required improvements, the developer fails
to meet specification requirements or to correct unacceptable work, the Township
Engineer shall notify the developer verbally, confirmed in writing by certified
mail, return receipt requested, of the developer's failure to comply.
If, within 10 days of the date of receipt of said notice, the developer fails
to perform in accordance with the Township Engineer's directions, the
Township Engineer shall notify the governing body, which, in turn, shall cause
the issuance of a stop order on further construction and take such remedial
action as it deems appropriate to the circumstances.
B.
Any improvements installed and not inspected by the Office
of the Township Engineer will not be accepted into the township road or improvement
systems.
C.
A change in contractor(s) will require a new preconstruction
conference.
D.
Where required by the Township Engineer, samples of concrete
or any other materials used in the course of construction may be taken and
tested in a township-approved testing laboratory, with the cost of said laboratory
analysis to be paid by the developer or applicant independent of the inspection
deposit.
The developer/applicant shall provide and file with the township one
set of as-built improvement plans and profiles on Mylar showing actual construction
as approved, prior to the granting of final subdivision approval and prior
to the initial acceptance of the work.
The township may accept a performance guaranty for the installation
of sidewalks, monuments and shade trees only. The performance guaranty for
these improvements shall be equal to 120% of the cost of said improvements
as estimated by the Township Engineer. At least 20% of the performance guaranty
shall be in the form of cash or a certified check made payable to the Township
of Readington. The cash or certified check shall be deposited or invested
by the Township Treasurer in the manner prescribed by law for municipal funds,
the principal amount to be refunded to the developer upon satisfactory completion
of such improvements and release of said applicable performance bond or sooner,
at the discretion of the township. The performance guaranty shall run for
a term not to exceed 18 months from the date of approval. With the consent
of the principal, the performance guaranty may be extended by the township
after recommendation by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment by
resolution for an additional period not exceeding 18 months. The performance
guaranty may be reduced or released in accordance with the procedures established
pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53.
Prior to any construction, there shall be drafted by the applicant an
agreement between the developer/applicant and the township incorporating all
of the terms and conditions of approval imposed by the Planning Board, Zoning
Board of Adjustment or township. Said agreement shall establish a schedule
of completion dates and period for completion of all improvements, which period
shall not exceed 18 months. Implicit in every preliminary subdivision approval
and part of each such agreement shall be the agreement of the developer to:
A.
Procure necessary drainage or other easements or rights-of-way,
including those necessary to provide for adequate sight distance and stream
encroachments.
B.
Make such revisions in the plans as may be reasonably
required before or during construction by the Township Engineer and establish
a procedure for approval of plan changes.
C.
Procure all local, county, state or federal permits for
all phases of the work, including but not limited to permits to construct
and operate sanitary sewer and public water systems.
D.
Provide for the payment of engineering review fees in
cases where a subdivision has not been reviewed as part of the application.
E.
Provide for instructions in the operation of all equipment
within or part of facilities to be accepted and operated by the municipality,
such instruction to be by the manufacturer/installer of the equipment and
such instruction to be supplemented with copies of all pertinent operating
manuals.
A.
Upon completion of all improvements and prior to release
of the performance guaranty and approval of the work, the subdivider shall
file a maintenance guaranty bond amounting to 15% of the cost of all improvements,
to guarantee that the completed improvements will be maintained for a stated
period not to exceed two years. Said maintenance guaranty shall be reviewed
by the Township Engineer and approved by the Township Attorney as to form,
sufficiency and execution and approved by the governing body. Said maintenance
guaranty bond shall be given at the time the township has certified that all
the improvements have been installed in a satisfactory and acceptable manner.
In addition, the maintenance guaranty shall cover regular maintenance, such
as curb replacement and repair, cleaning out of catch basins and any other
matters which would be necessary to put any of the required improvements in
the condition as when certified by the Township Engineer. The bond shall provide
for a guaranty to replace, during said period, all work performed and all
materials furnished found defective and make good, any defects thereof which
may become apparent before the expiration of the said period.
B.
The Township Committee will not accept any road or improvement
into the municipal systems until the maintenance period expires or after the
deficiencies are repaired, and then only if it is in the same condition as
when certified.
C.
However, the Township of Readington shall undertake to
remove snow from the roads during the period between certification and final
acceptance if the applicant presents a written request to the Township Clerk
and agrees in said request to hold harmless the township and its agents and
employees from any damages caused by the said snow removal.
If the improvements are part of a subdivision, a building permit shall not be issued until the complete installation of all works, including but not limited to sanitary sewers, water, gas, storm drains, roads, curbs and street signs, all as specified in the plan, except those items covered by a performance guaranty as referred to in § 142-19 above. Upon certification by the Township Engineer that said installation is complete, building permits shall be authorized.
The applicant and his contractors shall carry such insurance as may
be required by the township.
A.
If the Township Committee requests a delay in any of
the improvements required by this chapter, then the developer/applicant shall
deposit with the Township Treasurer funds to be placed in an interest-bearing
account which may be used by the township for the improvement for the road
in question. The amount of such deposit shall equal the cost of the street
improvement required from the developer/applicant as then estimated by the
Township Engineer. This amount shall not be increased after it has been so
deposited but may, upon the recommendation of the Township Engineer and approval
by the Township Committee, be reduced.
B.
If the township does not commence the construction of
such street improvement within 10 years from the date of said deposit, then
on the request of the developer/applicant the deposit shall be returned, together
with accumulated interest thereon, and all further obligations with respect
thereto or with respect to said street improvement shall be ended. If the
township elects to improve said street as a local improvement, assessing the
cost or a portion thereof against benefiting owners, the grantees of the developer/applicant
shall be allowed a pro rata proportionate credit against their special assessment
for their share of such deposit and applicable interest thereon, which credit
shall not exceed their respective assessment.
C.
In the event that the township elects to contribute to
the immediate improvement of off-tract portions of the street in question,
the portion contributed by the township shall be subject to certification
and assessment as a local improvement against the benefiting property owners
in the manner provided by law if applicable. The township may enter into a
contract with the developer/applicant providing for the installation and construction
of off-tract improvements by the developer/applicant.
The Class V pavement provided for in Schedule 1 annexed hereto[1] may, upon the request of the developer/applicant and the recommendation
of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment and Township Engineer
and the furnishing of adequate engineering data, be reduced to a Class VI
pavement.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule 1, Parts A and B, is included at the end of this chapter.
The detailed drawings annexed hereto as Exhibits A through F shall be
available for inspection at the office of the Township Clerk during regular
business hours.
