(a) Exceptions to Policy. The policy set forth in this section shall not be applicable to any project which fails to meet any requirements herein set forth. However, reasonable variances to such requirements shall be considered and may be agreed upon by the applicant and the Borough Manager, but the applicant shall be responsible for any additional costs. Further, where the applicant desires to convert existing overhead facilities to underground facilities, the Electric Department will provide underground service to such areas upon the payment by the applicant of a charge which shall be the estimated cost for the underground system, plus the removal cost for the overhead system (with a credit to be applied for salvage).
(b) Required Agreement. In the case of each underground project, the Borough and the applicant shall enter into an appropriate written agreement covering all essential arrangements.
(c) Applicant's Facilities. All applicant-owned facilities installed by the applicant shall be in conformity with the specifications and service entrance requirements of the Electric Department, the National Electrical Code and all other applicable regulations.
(d) Applicant's Charges or Costs. The charges or costs applicable to each applicant shall be paid, or other arrangements shall be made which shall be satisfactory to the Electric Department, before construction is commenced. The applicant shall be entitled to no refund, rebate or credit by reason of the fact that any building shall not, in fact, thereafter be constructed or that service is not taken by the applicant at any particular point of delivery.
(e) Changes. The applicant shall pay to the Borough any additional costs incurred by the Electric Department in providing underground facilities that vary from the underground construction practices and standards established by the Electric Department, where such variances were requested by the applicant. In addition, any additional costs incurred by the Electric Department which result from actions of the applicant or from the applicant's failure to act shall also be charged to and be paid by the applicant.
(f) Overhead Systems. Overhead facilities, whether for transmission or main distribution lines, which are in existence prior to the execution of an agreement or application for underground installations are not to be subject to the agreement or application and may remain in place. Likewise, the agreement or application shall not affect or impair the rights of the Electric Department to construct, operate and maintain new additional overhead transmission facilities under pre-existing easements or rights of way, nor shall it preclude the acquisition and use of new rights of way for future overhead transmission facilities. An agreement or application for underground service shall apply only to facilities for distribution service to the applicant within the area covered by the agreement or application.
(g) Communication Cables. Primary, secondary and service cables may jointly occupy trenches with communication cables, provided they are installed so as to comply with the National Electrical Safety Code, any and all applicable laws, all legally effective regulations and requirements, and the requirements of all parties involved in such joint occupancy.
(h) Classifications; Standard Secondary Voltage. Installations of underground service of 400 amperes or less at secondary voltages to a permanent point of delivery shall be classified and are hereinafter referred to as Service Lateral and Service Lateral Replacement, the former being applicable to a new underground service and the latter to the replacement of an existing overhead service lateral with a new underground service.
The standard secondary voltages for each of the above classifications are: nominally 120/240 volts, single-phase; or 120/208 volts, three-phase. The Electric Department's primaries, transformers, secondaries and other accessories shall be overhead.
(i) Mutual Obligations.
(1) The applicant shall, to the extent applicable:
A. In accordance with the Electric Department's System Underground Distribution Standards:
1. Provide all excavation and backfilling for installation of the Electric Department's facilities, including (but without limitation thereto) all conduit, sand, fill and concrete as required, and install warning tape provided by the Electric Department. All service cables installed on the permanent service areas (including, but not limited to, streets, alleys, driveways, patios and the like) shall be placed in approved conduit and the cost of said installation shall be paid for by the applicant. When a trench crosses a street, the applicant shall perform work under and in accordance with the Electric Department's permit(s), shall pay the Borough for any permit fees and be responsible for resurfacing costs.
2. Provide and install a meter base and conduit riser in accordance with the Electric Department's requirements for service and meter installations;
B. Agree that all facilities installed by the applicant under paragraphs (i)(1)A.1. and 2. hereof shall be and remain the property of the applicant;
C. At his or her own cost, clear the ground, in which the lines and related facilities are to be laid, of trees, stumps and other obstructions, and rough grade it to within six inches of final grade, so that the Electric Department's part of the installation shall consist only of installing the service conductor and related facilities;
D. Request electric service at such time that the lines and related facilities may be installed before curbs, pavements and sidewalks are laid, keep the route of lines clear of machinery and other obstructions when the installation crew is scheduled to work and otherwise cooperate with the Electric Department to avoid unnecessary costs.
E. Furnish, install and maintain a transformer vault on the applicant's premises, at the applicant's own expense and in accordance with Borough Standards, when deemed necessary by the Borough.
(2) The Electric Department shall:
A. Design its underground system with the location of facilities to be mutually agreeable to the applicant and the Electric Department;
B. Provide, install (except as provided in paragraphs (i)(1)A.1. and 2. hereof), own and maintain all secondary service facilities to, but not including, the meter base and conduit riser.
(j) Treatment of Costs. In addition to the performance of all obligations hereinabove set forth, the applicant shall pay the Borough in accordance with the schedule of charges established from time to time by resolution of Council.
For purposes of determining charges under this subsection, service lateral length from an overhead secondary system shall be measured from the nearest convenient pole location to the point of delivery.
(k) Trench Excavation. All locations and requirements for secondary and service conduit trenches shall be coordinated with the Electric Department before commencing excavation.
(1) All Electric Department conduits and cables shall be separated from sewer, water and gas lines by earth for a minimum horizontal distance of twenty-four inches. There shall also be a minimum vertical separation of twelve inches of earth where the Electric Department's conduits cross other utilities. The conduits or pipes of sewer, water and gas companies must never be in the same trench with Borough cables. There shall be a twelve-inch minimum separation between any telephone facilities.
(2) The trench shall be excavated to a minimum thirty inches deep by six inches wide, except that under roads and driveways the trench shall be a minimum forty inches deep by six inches wide.
(l) Trench Backfill. A four-inch bed of sand shall be laid and hand-tamped before the Electric Department facilities will be installed.
(1) The backfill around all cables shall be with sand and shall be lightly hand-tamped. Upon completion of hand-tamping, there shall be a minimum of six inches of sand over the top of the cables.
(2) The remaining backfill shall be air-tamped and water-soaked for good earth compaction.
(3) Any settling or washing out of earth after the initial installation shall be corrected by the developer or the customer.
(4) The Electric Department will provide warning tape for customer installations twelve inches below grade level.
(Ord. 2211. Passed 4-29-97.)