[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Washington
6-16-1980 by Ord. No. 27-80 (Sec. 6-12 of the Revised General Ordinances).
Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Deserted, vacated, unused or untended.
Includes the terms "hole, pit, excavation, cellar, foundation, trench
or other unnatural declivity."
Includes any private road, street, alley, right-of-way or easement not under the control of Washington Township. (Openings in public roads, streets, easements and rights-of-way are governed by Chapter 172.)
No person shall, within the limits of the Township of Washington, suffer
or permit the existence, on any public or private land, of any abandoned or
unprotected hole, pit, excavation, foundation, cellar, trench or other unnatural
declivity in which stagnant water or debris is retained or which is dangerous
to any person, including but not by way of limitation children's being or
coming upon said land.
Any person, firm, partnership, utility or corporation or the owner or
occupant of any land contracting for or conducting the digging of any opening
or hole shall completely cover said opening with a suitable cover capable
of sustaining a weight of 500 pounds of pressure for each 10 square feet or
a weight of 40,000 pounds if said opening is located in a private street,
road, alley or right-of-way unless the same is guarded by a person over the
age of 18 or is fenced and lighted in such a manner that children or other
persons will be properly restrained and safeguarded from falling into said
opening as required by the enforcing authority.
The Chief of Police, the Health Officer, the Code Enforcement Officer
or their duly authorized agents shall be responsible for the enforcement of
this chapter.
[Amended 10-15-1984 by Ord.
No. 25-84]
