No person shall make any excavation or opening or dig any ditch, trench, tunnel or hole in, along across or under any street, sidewalk or other public place for the purpose of laying or placing therein any pipe, wire or pole or for any other purpose unless a written permit therefor has been issued by the manager or some other officer vested with proper authority; provided, however, that, a permit shall not be required where the work is performed under a contract with the town, but in the event the work requires a sidewalk or street to be wholly or partially obstructed, the party performing the work shall notify the town at least two hours before obstructing the sidewalk or street, unless prevented by sudden emergency.
(1989 Code, § 16-40; 2003 Code, § 9-2.1)