[Amended 10-21-2003 by Ord. No. 1131]
The Highway Committee or the Borough Engineer or their authorized
assistants shall periodically inspect the sidewalks and curbs within
the Borough and shall order the necessary repairs as hereinafter provided
in this Part 1.
[Added 5-21-2014 by Ord.
No. 1-2014]
Any new sidewalk constructed after the passage of this section,
or any present sidewalk repaired to an extent of 10% of the length
thereof on any one property, shall confirm to the following specifications:
A.
Width of paved portion. The paved portion of any sidewalk, providing
that the width of the street permits, shall be not less than four
feet in width.
B.
Obstructing. The full width of any sidewalk from fence line to curbline
shall remain unobstructed unless special privilege is secured form
the Borough Council and/or the Shade Tree Commission.
C.
Grading. The grade of the sidewalks, regardless of material of construction,
shall have a uniform pitch of 1/4 inch to the foot toward the curbline
or street, except where the physical conditions alter the situation,
and in such case, modifications must first be approved by the Borough
Code Official or Borough Engineer.
D.
Materials for paved portion. The materials for the paved portion
of sidewalks may be concrete, flagstone, bricks/pavers, provided that
the alignment, grade, construction and ingredients correspond to the
provisions of this section. In all cases where the subgrade shall
be of a clay or spongy nature, there shall be an additional excavation
to a depth of four inches below the base of the improved pavement
and the spaces shall be filled and well tamped with sand or cinders.
E.
Concrete sidewalks.
(1)
Concrete sidewalks shall be at least four inches in thickness,
composed of what is known as the one-course 1-2-4 mix; namely, one
equal part by volume of cement to two equal parts by volume of good
clean sand, to four equal parts by volume of crushed rock, pebbles
or slag; these ingredients shall be well mixed in a dry condition
and then sufficient water added to obtain the desired consistency
and the mixing continued until the materials are uniformly distributed
and the mass homogenous and uniform in color. The concrete shall be
of such consistency that when placed in the forms and tamped, there
will be no voids when the forms are removed.
(2)
The concrete shall be placed in the forms for full thickness
of the pavement in the one-course type and finished with a steel trowel.
No topping or plastering will be permitted.
(3)
Expansion joints at least 1/4 inch in width shall be cut through
the full thickness of the pavement every four feet to six feet. A
one-half-inch tar filler shall be placed about every 30 feet.
(4)
All sidewalks shall be graded to provide adequate drainage of
rainwater toward the curbline or street.
F.
Flagstone/slate sidewalks. Each flagstone/slate shall be at least
two inches thick and contain not less than eight square feet, and
such stones shall be laid on a foundation of cinders, sand or crushed
stone not less than five inches deep. Stones/slate shall be cut straight
so that they fit properly against each other and shall be so laid
as to preserve a straight line along the edges. All stone/slate shall
be placed in a rich mixture of grout in order that they may hold their
alignment and grade.
G.
Brick/paver sidewalks. The earth shall be leveled at least five inches
below the finished grade of the bricks/pavers and shall be well settled
by ramming. A foundation shall be laid of concrete 2 1/2 inches
thick, composed of one part cement, three parts clean sand and five
parts of broken stone, pebbles or slag (by volume), and brought to
a good, even grade. After this has set, 1/2 inch of sand shall then
be laid over the surface. The bricks/pavers, not less than two inches
thick of good, hard quality, shall be laid upon this foundation, with
all interstices filled with a good grout mixture. The stratum of bricks/pavers
along each edge of the walk shall be laid on edge lengthwise or on
end, forming a border and preserving a straight line along both edges
of the pavement, and the concrete foundations shall extend for the
full width of the pavement, including the edges.
H.
Accepted good practice generally. Workmanship in the preparation
and installation of any and all of the materials referred to in this
section shall conform to generally accepted good practices. Specific
provisions of this section shall not be deemed to suspend any requirements
of good practices, but shall be regarded as supplementing or emphasizing
them and shall be controlling.
I.
New practices and techniques. Wherever and whenever any of the specifications
set forth in this section shall become outmoded by modern practices
or techniques, or whenever they shall fall below the standards in
use at the time of any new sidewalk construction or installation,
the modern standards, practices and techniques shall be controlling.
At the February meeting of each year, the Borough Council shall
receive such bids at it deems necessary for the furnishing of all
materials and labor for the construction, repair or alteration, as
directed by the Highway Committee or the Borough Engineer, of any
sidewalk or curb within the Borough for the ensuing year.
Upon certification of the Chairman of the Highway Committee or the Borough Engineer to the Borough Secretary, in writing, said Secretary shall notify the last known property owner and/or the occupant of the premises, by service of notice by police officer, posting the premises or placing in a United States Post Office by registered mail, to repair or construct any curb, sidewalk or driveway entrance within 30 days of the date of said notice. At any time after the expiration date of said notice, the Chairman of the Highway Committee shall order the contractor, as outlined in § 180-13, to proceed with the work.
A.
Upon certification of the Chairman of the Highway Committee or the
Borough Engineer of the completion of the work ordered, the Borough
Secretary shall bill the property owner in the quantities and amounts
so certified, by registered mail, upon a form prescribed by the Borough
Council.
B.
Upon failure to pay such bill within 60 days after the date thereof,
the Borough Solicitor shall place a municipal lien upon said property.
Any property owner may appeal any action of the Chairman of the Highway Committee or the Borough Engineer to the Borough Council, provided that such appeal is received in writing within the time prescribed in § 180-14 of this article.
The Chairman of the Highway Committee shall be authorized to make emergency necessary repairs to any sidewalk, at a cost of not more than $100, in default of the property owner or occupant making such repairs, upon a forty-eight-hour notice, either orally or in writing, when the public safety is endangered. Such repairs and the cost thereof shall be assessed as provided in § 180-15 of this article.
