A. 
These standard construction and material specifications for public improvements (hereinafter referred to as "public improvements specifications") supplement Chapter 400, Subdivision and Land Development, as amended, Chapter 388, Stormwater Management, as amended, Chapter 177, Driveways, as amended, and Chapter 395, Article II, Street Openings, of the Township's Code and all other ordinances and regulations of Easttown Township that pertain to the construction of the types of improvements regulated by these public improvements specifications.
B. 
All work shall be executed in a workmanlike manner by qualified, careful, and experienced professionals and laborers.
C. 
For all private construction, the "improver" is the party who is ultimately accountable to the Township for all work and responsible for all work, regardless of whether or not the work is performed by the improver's consultant or contractor. This condition is implied throughout these public improvements specifications.
The following definitions shall be applicable in this document:
COMMONWEALTH
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This term may also be referred to as "state."
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
Those drawings prepared by or on behalf of the improver or by a Township consultant and approved by the Township to show the detailed design of the specific project, including plan layout and design details.
CONSULTANT
Any individual, partnership, or corporation providing consulting services to the improver.
CONTRACTOR
Any individual, partnership, or corporation performing construction work for the improver in the case of private construction or for the Township in the case of contracts awarded by the Township.
DEVELOPER
Any equitable owner, landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or who causes to make a subdivision of land and/or a land development, or who constructs public improvements or causes public improvements to be constructed.
ENGINEER or TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
The appointed Engineer that represents the Township. The term may also include a construction observer employed by the Engineer.
IMPROVER
The developer, permittee and/or the contractor.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Activity as defined in Chapter 400, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Township's Code, as amended.
OR EQUAL
Equality of equipment or products versus those specified, as determined by and at the sole discretion of the Engineer. The term may also be referred to as "or approved equal."
PADEP
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PADOT
The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PERMITTEE
Any individual, partnership, corporation or public utility proposing work requiring a Township road occupancy permit as required by Chapter 395, Article II, Street Openings, of the Township's Code.
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
An individual licensed and registered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to engage in the practice of engineering.
PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR
An individual licensed and registered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to engage in the practice of land surveying.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Those facilities that are designed for and available to the public, which may be offered for dedication to the Township, including, but not limited to, streets, stormwater management facilities, sidewalks, curbs, trails and public sanitary sewers.
STANDARD DETAILS
Those details included in Appendix 1 of these public improvements specifications to show general and typical construction requirements.
STREET
As defined in Chapter 400, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Township's Code, as amended. The term may also be referred to as "road."
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels, or other divisions of land.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
TOWNSHIP
Township of Easttown, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
WORK
Labor, services, materials, and equipment as required for the successful completion of the project.
The improver shall be responsible for the proper fitting of all work and for the coordination of the operations of all trades, subcontractors, and persons delivering materials engaged upon this project. The improver shall be prepared to guarantee to each of his subcontractors the locations and measurements that may be required for the fitting of their work to all surrounding work.
A. 
At all times during which work is being performed under or affecting the project, the improver shall keep a competent superintendent acceptable to the Township on the site from the commencement of work until the completion thereof, who shall be continuously in touch with work and in all interlocking contracts affected thereby. The superintendent shall, in the absence of the improver, see that the instructions of the Engineer are carried out, and all directions given such superintendent shall be as binding as if given to the improver.
B. 
The improver shall have available at all times, including nonworking hours, weekends, and holidays, an emergency maintenance crew and a person of authority and responsibility to act in cases of emergency, such as flooding, cave-ins, or other unsafe conditions, resulting from construction activities. The improver shall submit to the Township all the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the emergency crew supervisor(s) prior to beginning construction operations. The improver shall be responsible for costs resulting from such emergency work.
C. 
The improver is responsible for all costs incurred for any emergency work performed by the Township or others on the improver's behalf.
A. 
The improver shall give all notice required by and comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, and codes of the Township. All construction work and/or utility installations shall comply with all applicable ordinances and codes, including all written waivers. Prior to commencing construction, the improver shall examine the public improvements specifications for compliance with applicable ordinances and codes and shall immediately report any discrepancy to the Township. Where the requirements of the public improvements specifications fail to comply with such applicable ordinances or codes, the Township may adjust the public improvements specifications to conform to such ordinances or codes (unless waivers in writing covering the difference have been granted by the Township Board of Supervisors or department). Should the improver fail to observe the foregoing provisions and proceed with construction varying with any applicable ordinance or code, including any written waivers (notwithstanding the fact that such installation is in compliance with the public improvements specifications), the improver shall correct such work without cost to the Township.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
B. 
The improver shall, at the improver's own expense, secure all required permits, certifications and approvals and pay to the appropriate regulatory agencies the fees or charges for same. Proof of all required permits, certifications and approvals shall be provided to the Township, as well as compliance with the utility notification requirements of Pennsylvania Act No. 287 of 1974, as amended. Construction may not commence until all permits and approvals are obtained. All permit applications shall be made by the improver and shall be under the improver's signature. The developer's engineer shall provide a list, which shall be approved by the Township Engineer, of all required permits prior to the preconstruction conference.
C. 
Any and all Township applications and/or permit fees shall be paid at the time of application and shall be in the amount as established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors in effect at the time of application. No Township permit will be waived for the improver.
D. 
The developer and/or contractor shall receive written authorization to proceed from the Township Manager prior to the start of construction or any earthmoving activity.
E. 
Whenever the proposed construction requires sales, consumer's use, or other similar tax, the improver shall pay for same.
A. 
The improver shall provide adequate protection against injury or loss arising in connection with the project for all his work and the property of the Township. The improver shall make good any such damage, injury or loss. The improver shall adequately protect adjacent property as provided by law. The improver shall provide facilities for protection required by public authority or local conditions such as passageways, guard fences, lights, etc.
B. 
The improver shall preserve and protect all trees, shrubs and grass on or adjacent to the site which do not reasonably interfere with the construction as may be determined by the Township or Engineer, and the improver shall be responsible for all unauthorized cutting or damaging of trees and shrubs, including damage due to careless operation of equipment, stockpiling of materials or tracking of grass areas by equipment. The improver shall remove only those trees designated by the Engineer to be removed.
A. 
Work being performed in/on any Township streets and rights-of-way shall require a road occupancy permit from the Township and posting of a performance bond, if required by the Board of Supervisors. All traffic control and safety protection methods, devices and procedures for work in Township streets shall be in conformance with PADOT Publications 212 and 213.
B. 
The improver shall perform the work in such a manner as to interfere as little as possible with the use of intersecting roads or adjoining properties. No excavation shall be left open or other obstruction allowed to remain longer than is absolutely necessary, and the improver shall provide all safeguards and temporary passageways that may be necessary for the convenience and protection of all persons using said property either day or night.
C. 
It shall be the duty of the improver, at all times, to maintain crossings, walks, sidewalks, and streets open to traffic and in a satisfactory condition, and to keep all fire hydrants, valves, fire alarm boxes, and letter boxes accessible. For trenches, a timber bridge at least three feet in width and equipped with side railings shall be provided. When the excavated material will encroach upon sidewalks or private property, planking shall be placed in order to keep the sidewalk or private property clear of excavated material.
D. 
No Township street shall be blocked for traffic for longer than one hour in any direction, unless approved in writing by the Township. There shall be no lane restrictions in Township streets or state highways between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
E. 
Written approval from the Township is required for all proposed road detours within the Township borders.
The improver shall check and verify all field measurements and shall submit with such promptness as to cause no delay in the improver's own work a minimum of three sets, plus however many sets the improver wishes to have returned, checked and approved by the improver, of all shop or setting drawings and schedules required for the work of the various trades. The Engineer shall review, with reasonable promptness, such schedules and drawings for compliance with the information given in the public improvements specifications. The improver shall make all corrections required by the Engineer and shall resubmit shop drawings until deemed approved by the Engineer. The Engineer's approval of such drawings or schedules shall not relieve the improver from responsibility for deviations from the public improvements specifications, unless the improver has in writing called the Engineer's attention to such deviations at the time of submission and secured the Engineer's written approval, nor shall it relieve the improver from responsibility for errors in shop drawings or schedules.
A. 
The improver shall confine his equipment, storage of materials, and construction operations to the project limits as prescribed by ordinances or permits, or as may be directed by the Township, and shall not unreasonably encumber the site or public rights-of-way with his materials and construction equipment.
B. 
The improver shall comply with all reasonable instructions of the Township and the ordinances and codes of the local government regarding signs, advertising, traffic, fires, explosives, danger signals, and barricades. PADOT flagging shall be required for all work on existing roads within the Township without exception.
A. 
Unless otherwise specifically provided, all workmanship, equipment, materials and articles incorporated in the work shall be new and the best grade of the respective kinds of their purpose. Where equipment, materials, articles, or workmanship are referred to in the public improvements specifications as "or equal" or "or approved equal," the Engineer shall decide the question of equality.
B. 
Materials specified by reference to the number or symbols of a specific standard, such as an ASTM specification, a federal specification or other similar standard, shall comply with the requirements in the latest revision thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto except as limited to type, class or grade, or modified in such reference. The standards referred to, except as modified in the public improvements specifications, shall have full force and effect as though printed herein.
A. 
The improver shall submit all material or equipment samples, certificates, affidavits, etc., as required in the public improvements specifications or required by the Engineer, promptly. No such materials or equipment shall be manufactured or delivered to the site, except at the improver's own risk, until the Engineer has approved the required samples or certificates in writing. Each sample submitted by the improver shall carry a label giving the name of the improver, the project for which it is intended, and the name of the producer. The accompanying certificates or letter from the improver shall state that the sample complies with the public improvements specifications, shall give the name and brand of the product, its place of origin, the name and address of the producer and all specifications or other detailed information which will assist the Engineer in passing upon the acceptability of the sample promptly. It shall also include a statement that all materials or equipment furnished for use in the project, will comply with the samples and/or certified statements.
B. 
After actual deliveries, the Engineer will have such check tests made as he deems necessary in each instance and may reject materials and equipment and accessories for cause, even though such materials and articles have been given general approval. If materials, equipment or accessories which fail to meet check tests have been incorporated in the work, the Engineer will have the right to cause their removal and replacement by proper materials or to demand and secure such reparation by the improver as is equitable.
In these public improvements specifications and on accompanying drawings, there are specified and shown certain pieces of equipment and/or materials which are deemed most suitable for service anticipated. This is not done to eliminate other equipment and material equally as good and efficient. Should improver desire to use some other make of equipment or material, he shall submit to the Engineer a written request for such change and in same shall state advantage to the Township. Determination as to whether or not such change will be permitted rests solely with the Engineer.
No material, supplies, or equipment for the work shall be purchased subject to any chattel mortgage or under a conditional sale or other agreement by which an interest therein or in any part thereof is retained by the seller or supplier. The improver shall warrant good title to all materials, supplies, and equipment installed or incorporated in the work and, upon completion of all work, shall deliver the same, together with all improvements and appurtenances constructed or placed thereon by him, to the Township free from any claim, liens, or charges. Neither the improver nor any person, firm or corporation furnishing any material or labor for any work shall have the right to a lien upon any improvement or appurtenance thereon.
If the improver should neglect to prosecute the work properly, the Township may, without prejudice to any other remedy he may have, make good such deficiencies and may deduct the cost thereof from the improver's escrow funds.
The Engineer shall be the Township's representative during the construction period. The Engineer will make visits to the site, at a frequency commensurate with the work being performed, to be generally familiarized with the progress and quality of the work and to determine in general if the work is proceeding in accordance with the public improvements specifications. The Engineer will not be responsible for the improver's failure to carry out the construction work in accordance with the public improvements specifications and construction drawings. During such visits and on the basis of observations while at the site, the Engineer will keep the Township informed of the progress of the work of the improver and may condemn work as failure to adhere to the public improvements specifications and/or construction drawings. The Engineer shall have authority to reject the work whenever such rejection may be necessary in his reasonable opinion to insure the proper completion of the project.
The developer and contractor are responsible to and shall comply with the Department of Labor Safety and Health Regulations for construction promulgated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (PL-91-596) and under Section 107 of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (PL-91-54).[1] All work must be in compliance with state and federal occupational health and safety regulations. Neither the Engineer nor the Township is responsible for enforcement of OSHA regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq. and 40 U.S.C. § 3704, respectively.
The improver will be held responsible for locating, in advance of the facilities to be built under this contract, all underground structures, such as water and gas mains; water and gas services; storm sewers and telephone and electric conduits, etc., which may be encountered during the constructing operation. The improver shall either dig test holes to determine the position of the underground structures, or he shall arrange with the owners of such underground structures to assign a representative to mark the locations. The existence and location of underground utilities as indicated on any plans of the Township are presented merely to serve as a notification that such utilities do exist in the general proximity of the work. Any utilities not shown, or not located as shown, shall not be cause of the improver to deny responsibility for their protection and/or repair during construction.
A. 
The improver shall notify all utility companies in advance of construction to include requesting the utilities to be located in accordance with Pennsylvania Act 287 of 1974, as amended, and cooperate with agents of these companies during the progress of the work. During the course of his work, if the improver damages any of the aforementioned utilities, the improver shall immediately follow the procedure of emergency action and repair as established at the improver's own expense.
B. 
Whenever the improver, during the progress of the excavation, uncovers service pipes or lines, which, because of injury or age, are in poor condition, the improver shall immediately notify the proper authority in order that steps may be taken for replacement or repair. Locations of repairs and the procedures of repairs that have been made shall be documented by the improver.
C. 
The improver shall sustain in their places and protect from direct or indirect injury all pipes, conduits, tracts, walls, buildings, and other structures or property in the vicinity of his work, whether above or below the ground, or that may appear in the trench.
The Township and/or Engineer may appoint such person(s) as they deem necessary to observe, at any time, materials and equipment furnished and work done. The Engineer shall be provided at least three business days' notice of the time and place of all work performed in sufficient time to allow arrangements for the assignment of construction observers. Neither the surveillance of the work, nor the presence or absence of a construction observer shall relieve the improver of any of his obligations of making his work conform to the intent of the public improvements specifications and construction drawings. The Township's construction observers shall be authorized to observe all work done and materials furnished. Such inspection may extend to all or any part of the work and to the preparation or manufacture of the materials to be used. Construction observers will be stationed on the work to report to the Engineer as to the progress of the work and the manner in which it is being performed, to report whenever it appears that the materials furnished and work performed by the improver fail to fulfill the requirements of the public improvements specifications, and to call to the attention of the improver any such failure or other default, but no surveillance or any failure to observe, at any time or place, shall relieve the improver from any obligation to perform all work strictly in accordance with the requirements of the public improvements specifications. In case of any dispute arising between the improver and any construction observer as to materials furnished or the manner of performing the work, the construction observer shall have the authority to reject materials or suspend the work until the question at issue can be referred to and decided on by the Engineer. The construction observers shall not be authorized to revoke, alter, enlarge, relax or release any requirements of the public improvements specifications, nor to approve or accept any portion of work, or to issue instructions contrary to the public improvements specifications. Construction observers shall in no case act as foreman or perform other duties for the improver, nor interfere with the management of the work by the latter. Any instructions that the construction observers may give the improver shall in no way be construed as releasing the improver from fulfilling the terms of the public improvements specifications.
A. 
The use of mechanical surface impact equipment or drilling and hydraulic rock-splitting equipment to remove rock shall be employed by the improver to the greatest extent possible. If no other means of rock removal are viable, the improver may employ the use of the explosives method (blasting).
B. 
The improver shall take complete responsibility for rock removal by the explosives method, including any and all damages or injuries resulting from blasting operations. Blasting shall not be permitted within a radius of 200 feet from any structure or building, or within a three-hundred-foot radius from any gas pipeline, and in no case closer to any gas pipeline than is permitted by the gas utility company.
A. 
The improver shall be responsible for the stakeout for the construction of the project. The improver shall provide all surveying required to lay out the construction work from horizontal and vertical reference points. The improver shall provide all engineering personnel, materials, equipment and labor required to stakeout the baselines and/or center lines and all offset lines and grades.
B. 
On jobs where the improver intends to use a laser, he shall either provide offset stakes at a minimum of one-hundred-foot intervals and use them to spot check his grades, or provide a level, rod and level operator to spot check his grades.
The Standard Details located in Appendix 1 of these public improvements specifications are incorporated herein by reference.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix 1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
Within 90 days from substantial completion of the work, the improver shall furnish the Township with as-built plans in accordance with the As-Built Plan Requirements identified in Appendix 2 of these public improvements specifications.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix 2 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A preconstruction conference shall be required for all subdivision and/or land development projects where financial security has been posted for improvements and for any other construction or earthmoving activities when deemed necessary by the Township or Engineer. The improver or his representative and the contractor or contractors who will be performing the work shall attend, along with the Township Engineer and Township representatives. A representative of Chester County Conservation District shall be invited, and any other interested reviewing agencies and/or utilities may attend. The developer shall be responsible for arranging the meeting. The improver shall deliver two sets of full-size and three sets of half-size (12 inches by 18 inches) fully executed approved final subdivision and/or land development plans, as recorded at the Chester County Recorder of Deeds, to the Township Engineer at the preconstruction conference for the Township Engineer's use during construction.
The Township is located in a specially protected high-quality watershed. As such, extreme care should be exercised in all disturbance activities to prevent degradation to the waters of the commonwealth, and, upon completion or temporary cessation of earth disturbance activities, the project site shall be immediately stabilized with the appropriate temporary or permanent stabilization. Slopes greater than 3:1 shall utilize erosion control blanket stabilization.
A. 
Inspections shall be performed by the Township Engineer, unless stated otherwise herein, to verify that proper procedures and methods of installation of all approved structures and approved materials required to be installed are followed. Unless other arrangements are made with the Board of Supervisors, all costs associated with the inspections will be the responsibility of the improver.
B. 
Inspections shall be required prior to starting construction, during the installation of materials and structures, and upon the completion of all improvements. All improvements shall be installed in accordance with all required approved regulations and specifications.
C. 
Any and all unsatisfactory work, faulty procedures and methods and defective materials that have been installed shall be rejected and noted for the record on the inspection standards punchlist and shall be corrected before final acceptance.
D. 
The placement of all required improvements shall be in accordance with the controls set by a professional land surveyor registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to ensure installation of improvements to proper location, elevation, alignment and profile.
E. 
Improvements requiring inspection include, but are not limited, to the following:
(1) 
Sanitary sewer system. Prior to the start of any sanitary sewer improvements work, the improver shall notify the Township Engineer as previously described.
(2) 
Water distribution system. Inspection of all water distribution system improvements is the responsibility of the water utility company serving and with franchise rights in the subject area. However, all water distribution lines installed in Township streets will be inspected by the Engineer with regard to trenching, backfill, compaction and surface restoration. Prior to the start of any work on the waterline improvements, the improver shall notify the Township Engineer as previously described and shall also contact the water utility company and adhere to the water utility company's policies, procedures and standards.
(3) 
Stormwater management facilities. Stormwater management facilities shall require visual inspection of each section. Prior to the start of any stormwater management improvements, the developer and/or contractor shall notify the Township Engineer as previously described. Inspections shall be made prior to backfilling any section, including pipes, inlets, manholes, headwalls, endwalls, detention and retention basins, stormwater management structural best management practices (BMPs), culverts and bridges, and all items being installed as part of the post-construction stormwater management system. Cast-in-place concrete structures and bridge structures shall require material samples, in compliance with ASTM C39 standards. Samples must be taken in the presence of the Township's authorized representative.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
(4) 
Street system. Inspection of road subgrade, aggregate subbase, base course, binder course and wearing course, including review of all delivery slips.
(5) 
Curb structure. Inspection of subgrade, general alignment and any forms to be used. String line shall be set prior to any concrete pour to show line and grade, profile and alignment; material inspection, including the submittal of all certified material delivery slips.
(6) 
Sidewalk. Inspection of subbase grade and form grade and alignment prior to any pour; material inspection, including the submittal of all certified material delivery slips.
(7) 
Grading and seeding/sodding. Inspection as required to assure compliance with approved plans, regulations and general acceptable methods and practice.
(8) 
E&S facilities. Inspection of soil erosion and sedimentation pollution control facilities for proper installation, as well as proper maintenance on a time interval approved by the Board of Supervisors.
(9) 
Inspection of any escrowed improvement at the discretion of the Township Engineer.
Acceptable working hours are 7:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Work is not permitted on Sundays.