For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPLICANT. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association who shall apply to the Board of Selectmen for a road construction permit.
ARTERIAL STREET. A major thoroughfare whose main function is to carry large volumes of traffic between major points.
COLLECTOR STREET. A street whose primary function is to carry moderate traffic volumes between local streets and arterial streets. It may also provide access to abutting properties.
FORM 814. A certain document titled: “Department of Transportation: Standard Specifications for Roads, Bridges and Incidental Construction, Form 814”, as may be amended from time-to-time.
ROAD. Includes streets, highways, avenues and lanes laid out and intended as a vehicular accessway.
THIS ORDINANCE, THIS CHAPTER or ROAD ORDINANCE. “An Ordinance Concerning the Construction and Acceptance of Roads in the Town of Salem, Connecticut.” This chapter.
(Ord. passed 1-11-1984)
(A) General. No road or other improvements appurtenant thereto shall be constructed in the town until a road construction permit has been issued by the Board of Selectmen. Said permit is required for the construction of:
(1) New roads to be accepted by the town;
(2) The completion of roads in a subdivision approved by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission prior to and after the effective date of this chapter; and
(3) The construction or modification of pavement, drainage or other improvements within or in support of any existing town road or highway.
(B) Standards. In addition to the design and construction standards hereinafter specified, the following shall also be applicable.
(1) Approved subdivision. The design and construction standards applicable to streets in subdivisions approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be the standards applicable at the time of such approval, provided that such approval is still in effect.
(2) Other streets. In the case of construction within or in support of an existing town road or highway, or the construction of streets shown on a subdivision map filed in the office of the Town Clerk prior to adoption of the town subdivision regulations, the Board of Selectmen may approve other or lesser design and construction standards as deemed appropriate by the Board of Selectmen to be consistent with other improved portions of such streets.
(3) Alternate standards. The Board of Selectmen may approve alternate design and construction standards when:
(a) Such standards are prepared by a licensed professional engineer; and
(b) The Board of Selectmen determines that such standards will be in accord with the purpose and intent of this chapter.
(C) Inspection. All work subject to a road construction permit shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Board of Selectmen, or its authorized agent, at the expense of the applicant. Said Board, or its authorized agent, shall have free access to the work at all times and shall be deemed authorized to take material samples, cores and other tests as deemed necessary to determine compliance with these standards. The Board of Selectmen may require the applicant, at his or her expense, to have such tests made and certified by a professional engineer licensed by the state or other parties of its determination.
(D) Intent. It is the intent of this chapter that the policies, rules, procedures, standards and specifications established herein are coordinated with and support the following:
(1) The subdivision regulations of the town, as the same may be amended from time-to-time, which are hereby incorporated in this document by reference; and
(2) The zoning regulations of the town, as the same may be amended from time-to-time.
(E) Form of conveyances. Conveyances shall describe the land involved and the privileges of the town in a form acceptable to the Board of Selectmen and shall be duly executed. Such conveyances shall be accompanied by:
(1) A copy of the abstract of title;
(2) A certificate of title;
(3) Waiver of mechanics’ liens in a form acceptable to the Town Counsel; and
(4) A letter signed by the Town Tax Collector certifying that any taxes due to the town have been paid.
(Ord. passed 1-11-1984)
(A) Permit application. Application for a road construction permit shall be made to the Board of Selectmen, in writing, and shall be accompanied by the following:
(1) Maps and plans. Three copies of approved plans showing the rights-of-way for streets and drainage easements and plans showing the construction details prepared and showing the information required by the town subdivision regulations and any other requirements as stipulated by the Board of Selectmen; and
(2) Fee. A fee of $100 shall accompany the application.
(B) Road construction permit. The road construction permit shall be issued by the Board of Selectmen in writing, and the Board’s approval of the construction plans shall be endorsed thereon. Such approval and issuance are subject to the following:
(1) Prior approval. In the case of roads within a subdivision, the approval of the Town Planning and Zoning Commission of the record subdivision map; and
(2) Inspection fee. Payment to the town of an inspection fee equal to 3.5% of the cost of construction as estimated by the Board of Selectmen for purposes of the completion bond, or $200, whichever is greater.
(C) Notification and inspection. The holder of a road construction permit shall notify the Board of Selectmen and the Town Engineer of his or her intention to begin the authorized work at least three days prior to so doing, which notification shall be in writing and shall include a schedule showing when each stage of work, as hereinafter specified, is to begin. If, due to weather conditions or other cause, it is found necessary to stop work for a period exceeding one week, the permittee shall so notify the Board of Selectmen in writing, and he shall notify the Board in writing of his or her intention to resume work at least three days prior to so doing.
(1) In addition, the permittee shall notify the Board of Selectmen and the Town Engineer, in writing at least 48 hours before, each of the following stages of work are begun:
(a) Prior to commencing site clearance and after the construction work has been staked out;
(b) Prior to commencing excavation and grading of streets and installation of embankments;
(c) Prior to commencing installation of drainage and other utilities;
(d) Prior to backfilling structures, drainage pipes, facilities and other utilities;
(e) Prior to placement of the base course on the subgrade of a street;
(f) Prior to commencing construction of the paved surface of a street; and
(g) Prior to commencing construction of any sidewalks or other appurtenant items.
(2) The Board of Selectmen shall have three days in which to inspect the work in each of the above described stages. No work shall begin on the succeeding stage of construction until the required inspection has been made and approved by the Board of Selectmen in writing. The Board of Selectmen may issue a stop-work order and may suspend or revoke the road construction permit if, in its judgment, the construction project, or any stage thereof, is not being carried out in accordance with this chapter and the requirements of this chapter or, if unforeseen field circumstances are encountered for which the approved plans are insufficient, the Board shall withdraw such stop-work order and reinstate the permit when it determines that there is compliance therewith.
(D) Petition for acceptance. The petition for acceptance of the road by the town shall be presented to the Board of Selectmen in writing and shall be signed by the owner of record. The petition shall be accompanied by the following:
(1) Map. A copy of the map on file in the Office of the Town Clerk showing the right-of-way of the road and any easements. For roads within a subdivision, a copy of the record subdivision map, approved by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission, may be substituted for such submission;
(2) As-built plans. A copy of the construction plans showing the road drainage, and any other improvements “as-built.” In lieu of such submission, the construction plans, updated and certified as correct by a professional engineer, may be substituted; and
(3) Maintenance bond. An executed agreement and bond, approved by the Board of Selectmen, to guarantee remedy of unforeseen deficiencies in the construction of the road and other improvements shall be prepared. Said bond shall remain in force for a period of one year from the date on which the road is accepted by town meeting. The amount of face value of the bond shall be estimated by the Board of Selectmen as not less than 5% nor more than 50% of the current cost of the original improvements. The Board of Selectmen may require the bond to be held for an additional period of one year when, in the opinion of the Town Engineer, this is warranted due to unusual construction circumstances.
(Ord. passed 1-11-1984; Ord. passed 9-21-1994)
(A) General. The standards hereinafter set forth are minimum standards as the same are applicable to each road classification as assigned by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission under the town’s subdivision regulations.
(B) Width of right-of-way. Roads shall have the following minimum width of right-of-way according to their classification, and as necessary for anticipated traffic capacity, type of traffic, turning movements and construction requirements: local residential: 50 feet. In the event that the applicant does not own the land adjoining the right-of-way established for a road, said right-of-way shall have such extra width or area as is necessary to accommodate all road construction within the right-of-way without encroachment on the adjoining land. In lieu of extra width or area, the applicant may obtain rights to slope on the adjoining land provided that such rights are in a form approved by the Board of Selectmen.
(C) Width of pavement. Roads shall have the following width of pavement centered between road lines. When curbs are required, the width is that area lying between the faces of the two curbs.
(1) Local residential. Twenty-two feet minimum. (Roads within subdivisions ate subject to the planning and zoning subdivision regulations.)
(2) Turnarounds. Fifty-foot radius. Fifty-two-foot radius when curbed.
(D) Grade. The minimum grade for any street shall be 1%. The maximum grade shall not exceed the following:
(1) Local residential: 10%;
(2) Turnarounds: 5%; and
(3) Arterial and collector streets: 8%.
(E) Vertical curves. Vertical curves shall provide a minimum stopping sight distance of 200 feet on local residential streets. The design speed shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen.
(F) Intersections. The following standards shall apply to street intersections.
(1) Spacing. No more than two roads shall intersect at one point. Centerlines of intersections shall be spaced not less than 500 feet apart, except when conditions justify a variance.
(2) Angle of intersection. Roads shall intersect one another at or as near to a right angle as is practical. No intersection shall be at an angle of less than 60 degrees and not more than 120 degrees for a distance of at least 100 feet from the line of intersection.
(3) Corner lots. At a street intersection, property line corners shall be rounded by an arc having a minimum radius of 32 feet or more if required by roadway radii.
(4) Approach grades. The approach grades at intersections shall be no more than 2% for side roads for 100 feet. Side roads at intersectional sight distances of at least 300 feet for local roads. The driver’s eye shall be assumed to be 20 feet behind curb line and sight distance shall be in accordance with the Geometric Design Guide for Local Roads and Streets, published by the American Association of State Highway Officials.
(G) Horizontal alignment. Connecting curves between tangents shall be provided for all deflection angles in excess of five degrees. Suitable tangents shall be provided between curves with a minimum tangent distance of 150 feet between reverse curves:
(1) Local residential. One hundred fifty feet (minimum radius as measured along the roadway centerline); and
(2) Arterial and collector streets. Three hundred fifty feet (minimum radius as measured along the roadway centerline).
(H) Construction. Roads shall be constructed in accordance with the following standards.
(1) Survey. A centerline survey of the road shall be run in the field and suitable construction ties established to all control points. Stations shall be established at 50-foot intervals and all points of curvature and points of tangency. A construction stake shall be placed perpendicular, or radial in the case of curves, at each station on both sides of the road, and clear of all construction. The construction stake shall be marked with the station, offset to centerline and cut or fill to profile grade as measured from the top of the stake. A stake sheet showing the stations, profile grade, stake offsets, and glades and cuts and fills shall be prepared and presented to the Board of Selectmen before construction begins. Permanent benchmarks shall be established and recorded with the Board of Selectmen throughout the length of the project at 500-foot intervals or as directed by the Board. The datum for benchmarks shall be town, state or U.S. datum; an assumed datum may be used only with the written permission of the Board of Selectmen. Changes in horizontal or vertical alignment of the road from the approved plans shall not be made except with written permission of the Board of Selectmen. Grade stakes shall be protected and preserved until the construction work is approved by the Board of Selectmen.
(2) Clearing. The entire area of the right-of-way required to be graded in accordance with the standard cross-section shall be cleared of trees, stumps, brush, roots, large rocks, ledge and other unsuitable materials, except that trees suitable for street trees shall be left standing as directed by the Board of Selectmen or the Planning and Zoning Commission, in the case of a subdivision.
(3) Subgrade. For the full width of the required pavement, plus two feet where curbs are used, all loam, organic material, soft clay, spongy material, boulders, ledge and other unsuitable material shall be removed and replaced by materials approved by the Board of Selectmen. All fill that is placed to an elevation of less than three feet above the water table at the time of filling shall consist of stone, gravel or other free-draining soil approved by the Board of Selectmen. Where ledge rock is encountered, it shall be removed to a depth of one foot below subgrade and the area backfilled with crushed stone or gravel. Embankments shall be constructed of crushed stone, gravel or the suitable material deposited in successive layers, for the full width of the embankment The subgrade shall be rolled with a minimum ten-ton roller or equivalent before placing the base course. All underground drainage and utilities shall be installed prior to completion of the subgrade for receiving the base course.
(4) Base course. A base course not less than 16 inches (the bottom 12 inches to meet Grade A standards and the top four inches to meet Grade C standards of State DOT Form 814) in depth and for the full width of pavement plus two feet where the curbs are used shall be constructed of processed stone or processed gravel in accordance with Form 814. The base course shall be rolled with a minimum ten-ton roller and shaped with a cross slope of one-quarter inch per foot from the centerline. (Standard Proctor tests shall be run on the base course in accordance with accepted engineering practice unless such tests are waived by the Board of Selectmen.) Any areas of the base course, which have become impervious due to concentration of fine materials shall be scarified and recompacted.
(5) Surface course. The paved surface shall have a cross slope of one-quarter inch per foot from the centerline and shall be constructed of two courses of bituminous concrete, each one and one-half inches in depth after compaction to the full required width plus two feet where curbs are used. An emulsion tack coat is required when three successive days pass between the laying of the base course and successive courses. Construction methods shall conform to Form 814. Materials shall conform to Form 814, Bituminous Concrete Paving Mixtures Binder Course Grading II. The course shall be Class I Bituminous Concrete.
(6) Curbs. Granite, concrete or bituminous concrete lip curbs, or combinations thereof shall be provided in areas deemed appropriate by the Board of Selectmen or, in the case of subdivisions, by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Such curbs shall be located on the outer edge of the completed pavement All curbing shall have a cross section approved by the Board of Selectmen. Granite curbing will have a base of six inches and a height of 20 inches. The curbing will be set on edge with six inches of exposed face (smooth) above the finish pavement course. Concrete curbing shall have a base of eight inches and a total height of 20 inches of which six inches shall be located above the finished surface course of the street. Bituminous lip curbing will be laid on top of the binder course, an emulsion tack coat will be used prior to setting curbing. Place curbing as shown on typical roadway section. All work and materials for the different types of curbing shall conform to Form 814.
(7) Slopes. All earth surfaces of slopes, and areas that have been disturbed in any way due to grading and construction of the roads, shall be covered with a minimum of four inches of top soil and suitably seeded or planted and mulched to prevent soil erosion. The Board of Selectmen may require the removal or lowering of embankments adjacent to street intersections in order to assure adequate sight distance at the intersection. No cut or fill sections beyond the right-of-way shall extend into property outside the subdivision or property not owned by the applicant, unless appropriate slope rights/appropriate retaining walls shall be constructed within, the subdivision to prevent encroachment upon adjoining property, provided these do not obstruct sight lines.
(8) Underdrains. The Board of Selectmen may require the installation of suitable under drains beneath the street pavement or in the right-of-way where necessary to protect the stability of the pavement.
(9) Guide rails. Suitable guide railing shall be installed along all roads where there will be a “fill” embankment with a depth of four feet or more within 20 feet of the edge of the pavement, except that, upon written approval of the Board of Selectmen, guide rails will not be required where embankment slopes are no steeper than six to one.
(10) Sidewalk ramps. Sidewalk ramps shall be constructed on all new streets at crosswalks, or on existing streets at crosswalks when either the curb or sidewalk is reconstructed or repaired.
(I) Cross-section. Local residential roads shall be designed with a cross-section in accordance with the cross-section details that are a part of these specifications and as stated above.
(J) Soils report. When deemed necessary by the Board of Selectmen, a soils report shall be prepared for any roadway construction by a competent licensed professional engineer. The content of such report and the qualifications of the preparer shall be subject to the Board of Selectmen, or its authorizing agent’s, review and approval.
(Ord. passed 1-11-1984; Ord. passed 9-18-2002)
(A) Storm drainage design. Storm drainage for roads shall be planned and designed in accordance with the following standards.
(1) Pipe and ditches. Sufficient pipe shall be installed to carry existing watercourses in the street right-of-way and to drain both the proposed street or streets or extensions thereof or other streets which, based on topography will be served by the same drainage systems. No open ditches or channels shall be provided in the street right-of-way except with the express written permission of the Board of Selectmen, and adequate provision is made to maintain the standard cross-section, and for protective guide posts or rails as may be required to insure public safety. Road drainage systems shall be coordinated with, general drainage requirements for the use and development of the adjoining land.
(2) Design storm. Flows for roadways and roadway storm drains shall be designed using a minimum 25-year design storm frequency. Flows developed for drainage areas with no established watercourse shall be based on a 50-year design storm frequency. Drainage basins with designated watercourses shall use a design frequency of 50 years for average annual daily stream flows of less than five c.f.s. and 100 years for average annual daily stream flows greater than five c.f.s. It shall be the applicant’s responsibility to adequately demonstrate whether a stream flow is less than or greater than five c.f.s. using stream gauging stations, published government documents and other acceptable statistical rainfall data as determined by the Town Engineer.
(3) Design methods. The Rational Method may be used for drainage areas of 200 acres or less. For areas greater than 200 acres, the SCS method, FHWA method or USGS method shall be used as approved by the Board of Selectmen and/or the Town Engineer.
(4) Pipe design. The minimum size of a stormwater pipe shall be 15 inches in diameter. Coefficients used in design for reinforced concrete pipe shall be N=0.015 and for asphalt-coated corrugated pipe shall be N=0.021. The minim vim slopes of pipe shall be 0.5%.
(5) Pipe size and slope. Pipe size and slope shall be such that the head on the invert will not exceed two point zero (2.0) diameter at design storm and this head shall be contained without damage to any adjacent property. Pipe, except for under drains, shall be laid on straight alignments, both horizontally and vertically, with manholes and catch basins providing access at all deflection points or at the junction of two or more lines. The open end of any pipe shall be provided with an end well, culvert end or other appropriate device. The minimum cover over the top of the pipe shall be three feet. Culverts under streets shall extend to the edge of the right-of-way.
(6) Spacing of catch basins. Catch basins shall be connected to a stormwater pipe and shall be provided in sufficient number and suitable locations to properly drain the surface. Surface water shall not travel on any street a distance of more than 300 feet unless otherwise approved by the Board of Selectmen. No surface water shall travel across any intersections. Spacing and number of basins must be supported by complete gutter flow analysis.
(7) Discharge. The discharge of all stormwater shall be into suitable streams or rivers or into town or state drains or ditches or other town drainage facilities with adequate capacity to carry the additional water. Where the discharge shall be into private property adjoining the street, proper easements and discharge rights shall be secured by the applicant for the town before approval of the drainage plan. Discharge shall be done in a manner that protects watercourses and wetlands from pollution and shall not increase flood hazard due to increase in runoff. Plunge pools and other devices shall be employed to reduce velocities, as directed by the Town Engineer.
(B) Drainage construction. Storm drainage shall be constructed in accordance with the following standards.
(1) Pipe. Stormwater pipe shall conform to one of the following standards.
(a) In general, asphalt-coated corrugated metal pipe shall be used where culvert gradients are in excess of 10% or unsuitable base is encountered, such as organic soils areas. Said pipe shall conform to Form 814, shall be minimum 16 gauge and have paved invert.
(b) Reinforced concrete pipe shall be Class IV and conform to Form 814.
(2) Methods. Prior to laying pipe, the trench shall be excavated to the required depth, the bottom of which shall be graded to afford a uniformly firm bearing for the pipe throughout its length. Where rock is encountered, it shall be excavated to not less than 12 inches below the bottom of the trench and this depth shall be refilled with crushed stone approved by the Board of Selectmen. All pipe shall be carefully laid, true to the lines and grades given, hubs upgrade and with the spigot ends fully entered into adjacent hubs. Preferably, joints in concrete pipes shall have rubber gaskets; otherwise joints shall be thoroughly wetted and filled with a portland cement mortar and caulked. Asphalt-coated corrugated metal pipe shall be carefully joined and firmly clamped together by approved connecting bands, which shall be properly bolted in place before any backfill is placed. Backfill will consist of clean well graded soil free from large stones, frozen lumps, wood or other debris. Backfill shall be placed in layers of not more than six inches and adequately compacted. Any suitable material removed in excavating for the trench may be used as backfill. Fill approximately the same elevation at the same time. Rock fill or stones larger than two inches shall not be placed closer than two feet from the pipe on the sides as well as the top.
(3) Appurtenances. Catch basins, manholes, drop inlets, end wells and other appurtenances to the storm drainage system shall be constructed in accordance with Form 814 and the Connecticut State Highway Department Standard Sheets.
(4) Cleaning. All pipe and drainage structures shall be thoroughly cleaned prior to acceptance of the road and drainage system by the town.
(Ord. passed 1-11-1984)
(A) Special structures. Bridges, box culverts, deep manholes and other special structures shall be designed and constructed, where required, in accordance with good engineering practice and Form 814, and as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Selectmen.
(B) Sidewalks. Sidewalks, where required, shall be a minimum of four feet in width and, when provided in connection with a road, shall be located within the street right-of-way lines as shown on the typical cross-section. The sidewalk shall be constructed in accordance with the following standards as approved by the Board of Selectmen.
(1) Cement concrete sidewalks shall be laid on a four-inch gravel base, tamped and rolled, and shall be constructed four inches thick having expansion joints with pre-molded fillers spaced every ten feet and suitable weakened plan joints.
(2) Sidewalks will be ramped at intersections at a one inch vertical to 12-inch horizontal slope to meet State Building Code Requirements for handicapped access.
(C) Driveways. Sidewalks crossing driveways that are subject to heavy vehicular traffic shall be laid on a gravel base 12 inches thick. Driveways shall be constructed as per the requirements of the residential driveway ordinance for the town.
(D) Street signs. Street signs shall be installed at all intersections in locations approved by the Board of Selectmen. Traffic signs shall also be installed as required by the Board of Selectmen. Such signs shall be of a design and material approved by the Board of Selectmen.
(E) Underground utilities. Electric, telephone lines and facilities in new streets shall be installed underground unless the Planning and Zoning Commission has determined that such underground installation is inappropriate or unfeasible. Wherever possible, such lines and facilities shall be installed after the street right-of-way has been graded, but prior to installation of the base course for the pavement
(F) Monuments. Monuments shall be provided by the applicant on both sides of the street right-of-way and shall be set at the beginning and termination of each street, and at each point of curvature and tangency. Monuments shall be of stone or reinforced concrete 36 inches in length and four inches square at the top with across or other measuring feature in the top center. Monuments shall be set 34 inches in the ground after all project grading is complete. If ledge is encountered, a brass plug, one-half inch by three inches, shall be set in the ledge and secured with a Portland cement mortar. In lieu of a brass plug, a drill hole of one-half inch minimum diameter may be set if the ledge is fully exposed. The cost of such monuments shall be included in the bond.
(G) Fire wells and ponds. All required fire wells, underground water storage tanks and ponds with drafting basins shall be constructed in accordance with good engineering practice and designs approved by the Board of Selectmen or its authorized agent. The location and arrangement of all firefighting facilities shall be coordinated with the local fire departments.
(Ord. passed 1-11-1984; Ord. passed 9-18-2002)
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