[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 4-8-2004 by Ord. No. 1909]
Any use, by a contractor or public utility, of Township property for the purpose of staging is prohibited, subject to the following.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Include all rights-of-way or easements held by the Township, and all rights-of-way or easements held by a public utility.
Staging areas for construction operations are prohibited on Township-owned parks and/or open space land; however, the Township may permit such use by permit from the Township Engineer, in Township-owned parks and/or open space land. Notification will be given by the Township Engineer to the Manager, respective Commissioner(s) and the Environmental Council.
Any contractor or public utility desiring to utilize Township property as a staging area shall, prior to the commencement of use of the Township property, submit a site plan to the Township Engineering Department showing:
A.
The extent of the proposed operation;
B.
The location and extent of the proposed staging operation including any storage of vehicles, equipment and/or materials, as well as any proposed earth work; and
C.
The trunk location and drip line (outer edge of the branches) of all existing trees (or woodland boundary) within 25 feet of any proposed activity.
A.
No grade changes, excavations, encroachments or earthmoving activity shall be made within any drip line, and in no event closer than 15 feet to any tree trunk, regardless of the location of the drip line.
B.
No vehicle, equipment or material may be stored, regardless of duration, within any drip line, and in no event closer than 15 feet to any tree trunk, regardless of the location of the drip line.
Prior to commencing any activity on any property owned by the Township, the contractor or public utility, as the case may be, shall fence the drip lines of all trees and wooded areas as directed by the Township Engineer, individual trees and shrubs as designated by the Township Engineer, and any other area designated by the Township Engineer. For the purposes of this article, the term "fence" shall mean acceptable, undamaged, standard picket snow fence or other acceptable, highly visible, weather-resistant, easily maintained fencing that provides a substantial bather. The acceptability of such fencing shall be determined solely by the Township Engineer. The placement of fencing shall be such that no damage is caused to the root structure of any tree.
Before construction begins, the contractor shall, as directed by the Township Engineer, fertilize the affected trees. Soil analysis testing shall be completed as directed by the Township Engineer to assure fertilization with the appropriate fertilizer products. Pruning of the tree canopies and branches shall be performed as directed by the Township Engineer to remove any dead or broken branches, and to provide the necessary clearances for construction equipment.
Any damaged or destroyed tree or shrub shall be replaced on a two-for-one basis when directed by the Township Engineer. Replacement shall be in accordance with Section 85, "Planting and Transplanting Trees," of the Township Specifications.
All unpaved areas shall be seeded when directed by the Township Engineer in accordance with Section 33, "Topsoil, Seeding and Mulching," of the Township Specifications.
Any contractor or public utility using Township property pursuant to this article shall pay to the Township a nonrefundable user fee of $500 at the time of submission of the site plan.
In order to ensure compliance with the article, and to ensure that the Township is compensated for any damage caused by a contractor or public utility, all contractors and/or public utilities desiring to use Township property for staging purposes shall, prior to the commencement of any work, provide the Township with a bond in the amount of $25,000, or in such other form acceptable to the Township Engineer. In no event shall the amount of the financial security be construed as a limitation on the extent of the contractor's or public utility's liability for any damage caused. All contractors and/or public utilities doing work within the Township shall be liable and accountable, as provided for by law, for any damage done to any Township property.
