[Adopted 6-19-1974 by L.L. No. 4-1974 as Chapter 55 of the 1974 Code]
This article shall be known as the "Putnam Valley Town Highway Construction and Layout Law."
It is the purpose of this article to establish specifications and minimum acceptable standards of road construction for the town, as well as for the laying out of streets and/or highways.
No street, road or highway will be accepted as a town highway unless it shall conform to the regulations hereinafter set forth, except where special provision may have been made by ordinance, local law or regulation.
The arrangement of highways hereafter laid out shall, wherever possible, provide for the continuation of the principal streets existing in the adjoining subdivisions, or of their proper projection when the adjoining property is not subdivided, and shall be of a width at least as great as that of such existing streets, but in no case less than 50 feet.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
The minimum width of streets or highways hereafter laid out shall be at least 50 feet. At the discretion of the Highway Superintendent and the Town Planner or Town Engineer, the width of the street or highway may be greater than 50 feet.
There shall be no reserve strips controlling access to streets, except where control of such strips is definitely placed in the town under the offer to dedicate.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
Curb radii at intersections within subdivisions and where a road intersects with an existing town or county highway shall be not less than 30 feet.
Streets designed to have one end permanently closed (culs-de-sac) shall be provided at the closed end with a turnaround roadway having a minimum radius for the outside property line of at least 66 feet.
As far as practical, acute angles between streets at their intersections are to be avoided, and where a deflective angle of more than 10° in a street line occurs at any point between two intersecting streets, a curve of reasonably long radius is to be introduced.
Intersecting streets shall be so laid out that blocks between street lines shall be not more than 1,200 feet in length.
[Added 12-12-1984 by L.L. No. 4-1984]
A. 
No building permit shall be issued to any lot on a new subdivision road until the right-of-way has been cleared, the topsoil removed, the Item 4 and the base course of asphalt have been laid and the drainage and gutters have been put in place from the existing town, county or state road to a point beyond the road frontage of the lot and until all of the aforesaid has been approved by the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Planner/Engineer.
B. 
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until the new road has been completed from the existing town, county or state road to a point just beyond the road frontage of the particular lot(s) and approved by the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Planner/Engineer.
C. 
No building permit shall be issued for the last 25% of the lots nor shall the owner/developer sell the last 25% of the lots until the entire road has been completed and approved by the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Planner/Engineer.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
Before acceptance by the town of any street or highway as a town road, the Town Highway Superintendent shall file with the Town Clerk a certificate as to the completion of all improvements required by this article to his or her satisfaction.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
Any roadway to be offered to the town as a town road must be shown on an as-built map prepared by a licensed surveyor setting forth the correct metes and bounds and the description of such road. The roadway must be granted to the town by bargain and sale with covenant deed containing the correct metes and bounds description on said map. Permanent easements to the town must be furnished in such deed or other instrument granting to the town full right to maintain all outlets for surface or storm water which will run from such roadway over private property to a location where a natural watercourse exists and to which such outlet and easements will carry such water. The offer of dedication must be accompanied by a policy of title insurance in an amount determined by the Highway Superintendent and the Town Attorney insuring marketable title to the town.
Prior to being offered for dedication to the town, all streets shall be graded and surfaced as follows and shall comply with these road construction requirements:
A. 
Grades. In general, the grade of the road shall not be in excess of 8% or be less than 1%. Exceptions shall be permitted only under special conditions and by specific approval of the Town Superintendent of Highways. Properly designed vertical and horizontal curves shall be included in the layout of the road in order that the road shall present a smooth and satisfactory appearance with adequate sight distance.
B. 
Subgrade.
(1) 
All topsoil, loam, rocks and organic material shall be removed until a satisfactory bottom is reached. Where necessary, fills of acceptable material as approved by the Town Superintendent of Highways shall be made. Such fills shall be constructed in eight-inch lifts and shall be properly compacted.
(2) 
The subgrade shall be shaped to line and grade and thoroughly compacted with an approved self-propelled roller weighing not less than 10 tons or other satisfactory compacting equipment. All hollows and depressions which develop under rolling shall be filled with acceptable granular material and again rolled. This procedure is to continue until no depressions develop. The subgrade shall not be muddy or otherwise unsatisfactory when the foundation course is laid upon it. The subgrade shall be stable in all respects.
C. 
Foundation course.
(1) 
The foundation course shall consist of approved run-of-bank gravel, crusher-run stone or crusher-run gravel. All material used in this course shall be hard, durable and sound and shall be well-graded from coarse to fine. The material shall conform to the following gradation:
Passing (sieve)
Percent by Weight
3-inch
90-100
11/2-inch
80-90
1/4-inch
36-60
No. 200
10 maximum
(2) 
The material shall be placed on the prepared subgrade by means of mechanical spreaders or other suitable equipment. It shall be placed in four-inch lifts and shall be thoroughly compacted by rolling or other proper compaction equipment. Water shall be added to the material in such amounts as the Town Superintendent of Highways may consider necessary in order to obtain the desired optimum moisture content. After compaction, the course shall be true to grade and cross sections. Any high spots shall be removed, and all hollows and depressions shall be eliminated by the use of additional material which shall be adequately rolled. The foundation course must be compacted in such a manner that it will not weave under the rollers of heavy construction equipment. The total depth of the foundation course after compaction shall not be less than 12 inches.
D. 
Base course and wearing course.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
(1) 
Primary roads.
(a) 
After the foundation has been completed as previously described and to the satisfaction of the Town Superintendent of Highways and the Town Engineer/Planner, a four-inch after-compaction base course of blacktop (NYS Item 403.07, as amended) shall be applied.
(b) 
After the base course of blacktop has been completed as previously described and to the satisfaction of the Town Superintendent of Highways and the Town Engineer/Planner, a two-inch after-compaction wearing course of blacktop (NYS Item 403.01, as amended) shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Town Superintendent of Highways and the Town Engineer/Planner.
(2) 
Secondary roads.
(a) 
After the foundation has been completed as previously described and to the satisfaction of the Town Superintendent of Highways and the Town Engineer/Planner, a two-and-one-half-inch after-compaction base course of blacktop (NYS Item 403.07, as amended) shall be applied.
(b) 
After the base course of blacktop has been completed as previously described and to the satisfaction of the Town Superintendent of Highways and the Town Engineer/Planner, a one-and-one-half-inch after-compaction wearing course of blacktop (NYS Item 403.01, as amended) shall be applied. Said wearing course of blacktop shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Town Superintendent of Highways and the Town Engineer/Planner.
(3) 
Figure 1 attached hereto indicates a typical road cross section of a primary road. A "primary road" is a road expected to carry a substantial volume of traffic and shall have a paved portion of not less than 30 feet. Figure 1A attached hereto indicates a typical road cross section of a secondary road. A "secondary road" is a feeder to a primary road and is not expected to be a major road in the area. The paved portion of a secondary road shall be not less than 22 feet.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Figures 1 and 1A are included at the end of this chapter.
(4) 
The typical features and dimensions of the road section are shown thereon and are a part of these specifications and are to be incorporated in the construction of such roads.
E. 
Drainage.
(1) 
The drainage system and/or culverts shall be designed in accordance with established engineering principles or as designated by the Town Superintendent of Highways. The minimum grade of any drainage pipe or culvert shall not be less than 1%. Such drainage shall be installed where natural watercourses cross the highway or at locations which warrant drainage. The width of the trench in which the pipe is placed shall be sufficient to permit thorough tamping of the backfill under the haunches and around the pipe. In no case shall the top of any drainage pipe be less than 18 inches below the finished grade of the pavement. Where a soft, spongy or unsuitable soil is encountered or rocks, boulders or ledge are present, such shall be removed and replaced with suitable materials and in a manner as directed by the Town Highway Superintendent. The pipe shall be laid to true line and grade on the prepared bed of the trench. The installation, whether for corrugated-metal pipe or reinforced-concrete culvert pipe, shall be in accordance with the standard practice. The backfilling of the trench shall be in conformance with good engineering procedure and as directed by the Town Superintendent of Highways.
(2) 
All corrugated-metal pipe and reinforced-concrete pipe shall conform to the items covering such in the latest New York State Public Works Specifications.
(3) 
Drainage pipe or culverts shall be installed to carry the present requirements of the subdivisions as well as that which may reasonably be anticipated from future construction, both from within the subdivision and from adjoining properties which normally drain across the area of the proposed development. Culvert pipes shall be installed within the right-of-way, parallel to the paved roadway and at a minimum distance from the edge of the pavement equal to the depth of the culvert pipe below grade. However, the minimum distance from the edge of the pavement shall in no case be less than three feet.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
(4) 
The discharge of established natural watercourses and stormwater in open ditches shall be permitted only after specific approval by the Town Superintendent of Highways. If, in his or her opinion, public health or safety is jeopardized or there is danger of erosion, approval shall be denied. In such case, pipe of the proper kind and size shall be installed or the required paved sluiceways constructed.
(5) 
It shall be the responsibility of the developer to set aside areas for the collection and passage of both natural and stormwaters.
F. 
Catch basins or drop inlets.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
(1) 
Catch basins or drop inlets shall be constructed in order that surface water is intercepted. Such catch basins shall at no time be spaced farther apart than 150 feet. See Figure 2, which is a part of these specifications.[2]
(2) 
Headwalls and culverts. Headwalls of concrete or stone masonry shall be constructed at the inlet and discharge end of the culvert pipe. Culverts shall extend beyond the toe of the embankment. See Figure 3, which is a part of these specifications.[3]
G. 
Groundwater. If, in the opinion of the Town Superintendent of Highways, it is necessary to intercept and carry away groundwater to protect the stability of the road bed, the required subdrainage shall be installed. See Figure 4, which is a part of these specifications.[4]
H. 
Guideposts. Guideposts shall be erected along all areas which may be considered dangerous or where fills in excess of four feet exist. Such posts shall be installed in accordance with the detail for such attached hereto. See Figure 5, which is a part of these specifications.[5]
I. 
Gutters, curbs and curtain drains.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
(1) 
Gutters. Paved gutters shall be constructed in locations as determined by the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Engineer/Planner. They shall be in accordance with the details shown on Figures 1, 1A and 2 attached hereto.[6]
[6]
Editor's Note: Figures 1, 1A and 2 are included at the end of this chapter.
(2) 
Curbs. Blacktop curbs shall be constructed in locations as determined by the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Engineer/Planner.
(3) 
Curtain drains. Curtain drains shall be constructed in locations as determined by the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Engineer/Planner.
J. 
Slopes. Cut of fill sections shall not be steeper than one vertical to two horizontal. Where this cannot be achieved, then the developer or contractor shall build a retaining wall or a guide rail on the embankments. Under certain conditions, the Town Superintendent of Highways may direct a reduction in the amount of slope in order to maintain the stability of the bank. All earth slopes and areas that have been disturbed in the course of the construction of the road shall be covered with a minimum of four inches of topsoil and suitably seeded or planted with a ground cover to prevent erosion.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
K. 
Supervision of construction. Before any work is started, the developer or contractor shall deposit with the Town Supervisor, in cash or certified check, 4% of the estimated cost of the project to cover supervision and inspection by the town.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]
L. 
Stakeouts of new highways. All roads must be properly staked out. Sufficient monuments shall be placed to properly reproduce each and any street laid out. Monuments shall be six inches by six inches at the top, eight inches by eight inches at the bottom and at least four feet long.
[Amended 9-19-1979 by L.L. No. 2-1979]