A. ROADWAYS

1. Clearing and Grubbing: The entire area of each right-of-way shall be cleared of all stumps, brush, roots, boulders and like material and all trees not intended for preservation. Existing trees within the area of the right-of-way may be selected for preservation for aesthetic or other values by the Planning Board or its Designee provided that they shall be over four (4) inches in caliper and shall be located at least five (5) feet from the edge of the finished roadway pavement. No trees shall be removed until said selection is made. Such trees to be preserved shall be protected from bruises and other abuses continuously throughout the construction of the subdivision in a manner satisfactory to the Planning Board or its Designee.

2. Excavation and Subgrade Preparation: All top and other unsuitable soils shall be removed for the full length and width of the paved roadway and from under the sidewalk location when sidewalks are required regardless of whether or not the finished grade is above existing grade.

All other material shall be removed for the full length and width of the roadway to a depth of at least fifteen (15) inches below the existing grade as shown on the profile plan; provided, however, that if the soil is soft and spongy or contains undesirable material such as clay, peat, sand pockets, tree stumps, or any other material detrimental to the subgrade, a deeper excavation below the subgrade shall be made as required by the Planning Board Subdivision Inspector or the Director of Public Works.

3. Utilities: With the roadway at the subgrade level, all pipes and underground services shall be laid. Connections for sewer, drain, water, gas, telephone and electric services, where municipal services are available, shall be constructed for each lot (whether or not there is a building there) from the main service line in the way to five (5) feet beyond the exterior line of the way, except that the Planning Board may waive such requirement in whole or in part in the case of a lot to be used for a park, playground or for any other purpose for which, in the opinion of the Planning Board, such connections shall not be required.

4. Grading: All roadways shall be brought to a finished grade as shown on the profiles of the Definitive Plan or other design with gravel as specified below to a width of eight (8) feet wider than the required paved roadway except where curbs are used. The roadway crown shall have a minimum of one-quarter (1/4) inch per foot of pitch.

5. Gravel Base: After the roadway has been carefully graded to an elevation fifteen (15) inches below the finished grade, twelve (12) inches of base gravel shall be spread and rolled with a roller of sufficient weight to achieve ninety five (95) percent compaction. Gravel shall be in conformity with the most recent "Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges" of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works and shall consist of hard, durable stone and coarse sand practically free from loam and clay, uniformly graded and containing no stone having a dimension greater than three (3) inches or as specified by the Planning Board Subdivision Inspector or the Director of Public Works. The gravel shall be spread in two six-inch (6") layers, each thoroughly compacted to 95% Proctor density and true to line and grade.

The gravel shall conform to the following requirements:

Sieve Percent Passing

3 inches 100%

inch 50% - 85%

3/8 inch 45% - 80%

No. 4 40% - 75%

No. 10 30% - 60%

No. 40 8% - 35%

No. 200 0% - 8%

If in-situ material meets the Specifications of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, it may be used as a base material. Upon request, the Planning Board will consider allowing recycled asphalt for the base in lieu of gravel. If allowed, the recycled asphalt will be subject to the review and approval of the Subdivision Inspector prior to its installation. All banks and curves must be established before the standard base course can be applied. [Amended 5-18-95]

6. Pavement or Wearing Surface: The wearing surface shall consist of two courses of Class I, Type I-1 plant-mixed bituminous concrete, composed of materials and prepared in conformity with the Specifications of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. It shall be spread, rolled, and compacted in two (2) courses, in quantities as specified in Figure 1.

7. Guard Rails and Posts: Guard rails and posts shall be of the steel beam highway guard type SS as specified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Works Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges (1973), as amended. (See Figure 3 for typical detail.) Where appropriate, the Planning Board, upon recommendation from the Director of Public Works, may allow the above specified steel guardrail to be faced with wood and/or all the use of wooden guard rails and posts. Public safety and visual attributes shall be considered in granting the use of wooden guard rails.

B. CURBING

Permitted curbing shall be straight granite, sloped granite or Type A bituminous as shown in Figure 2 "Typical Cross Section curbing Construction".

C. SIDEWALKS

1. Preparation: All materials shall be removed for the full width of the sidewalk to a subgrade fifteen (15) inches below the finished grade. All soft spots and other undesirable material below such subgrade shall be removed. This excavated area then shall be filled with base gravel material in accordance with the specifications outlined above for the roadway base.

2. Surface: Where concrete sidewalks are required, the wearing surface shall be 3000 lb. strength concrete, four (4) inches in thickness, reinforced with No. 10, 6" by 6" mesh and broom finished. An expansion joint (3/4" open) shall be provided at least every twenty (20) feet; dividing joints shall be scored into the sidewalk every four (4) feet.

Where bituminous sidewalks are required, the material shall be as specified in "Pavement or Wearing Surface" above.

D. PATHWAYS AND BICYCLE PATHS

Wherever pedestrian pathways or bicycle paths are provided for in the Definitive Subdivision Plan, construction shall be as required by the Board.

All edges of concrete pathways shall be formed with wood which shall be securely anchored and left in place; this provision shall not apply to bituminous paths/pathways.

The surface water drainage system which is to provide adequate disposal of surface runoff from the street and adjacent areas shall be installed in accordance with the following specifications:

1. Pipes, Culverts and Drains: Pipe for the construction of culverts and drains shall be reinforced concrete. All pipe shall not be less than twelve (12) inches in diameter. Pipe joints shall be carefully made so that the spigot is tightly butted to the seat of the bell and the spacing between the spigot is uniformly proportioned and caulked with loose or braided jute. In all cases the joints shall be filled with cement. Rules and Regulations Governing the 59 Subdivision of Land in Ipswich, Massachusetts

Pipes shall be laid in a bed of six (6") inches of gravel or crushed stone. All utility trenches shall be backfilled with bank gravel carefully compacted and shall be leveled with adjacent grades. When pipes, culverts or drains are not located in the street or street shoulder, six (6) inches of loam shall be placed over the trench fill, and the grades shall be leveled with adjacent terrain. All drains shall be laid to uniform grades and shall be carefully backfilled so that the pipe is supported throughout it entire length with compacted earth. Earth cover shall be a minimum of three (3) feet, except where a greater pipe strength is requested and approved by the Board.

2. Catch Basins: All catch basins shall have a three (3) foot sump and shall discharge into manholes. The distance between two (2) catch basins shall not exceed three hundred (300) feet, however, the Planning Board may approve a greater distance if deemed advisable due to unusual field conditions and justifiable by calculations.

The materials and construction of catch basins and drain manholes shall conform to the "Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges", published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. Any change in alignment or grade, if not normally the location of a catch basin, shall be made by using a standard manhole conforming to the above specifications. Catch basins and drain manholes shall be constructed of pre-cast concrete. Drain manholes shall contain ladder rungs and brick and/or concrete inverts. Catch basin and sewer manhole structures shall have a minimum forty-eight (48") inch inside diameter.

3. Curb Drainage: Underdrains may be requited by the Planning Board in instances where ground water is four (4') feet or less below the finish grade of the street or as subsurface conditions dictate.

4. Natural Drainage: Where natural drainage courses are altered, cross drains and/or other structures, approved by the Planning Board, the Planning Board Subdivision Inspector and/or the Director of Public Works, shall be installed to restore natural drainage. Such alterations shall be sized for a 100 year storm capacity. Where cross drains carry flow of natural water courses, masonry headwalls or rip-rap shall be installed, as approved by the Planning Board, the Planning Board Subdivision Inspector and/or the Director of Public Works, to prevent erosion.

5. Subsurface Drainage from Foundation Drains, Roof Leaders and Other Sources: In cases where underground drainage in connection with the erection of buildings or the use of any lot, such underground lines may not be connected to the storm drains in the proposed streets.

Underground Distribution System in Residential Subdivisions

1. Upon application to the Town of Ipswich Electric Department/Department of Public Utilities and subject to the provisions hereinafter specified, an Applicant proposing to construct a residential subdivision, which has been approved by both the Planning Board and the Electric Department with regard to design feasibility, shall extend underground wiring for light, power, and street lighting throughout the subdivision where no other electric distribution system is in existence.

All provisions hereinafter set forth apply to subdivisions consisting of front lot distances measuring an average of not over two hundred (200) feet. For lots over two hundred (200) feet frontage, additional terms, conditions and/or costs may apply.

2. The subdivider's cost and responsibility shall be to:

A. Present to the Department at least two (2) sets of the Preliminary Plan and/or Definitive Plan showing the subdivision as proposed, including the location and depth of electric service lines and all other underground installations such as water, sewer and drainage as are required in said plans. The approximate schedule for subdivision completion shall be noted.

B. If a Definitive Plan is approved, provide the Department with lines, grades, permanent easement(s), and partial release of mortgage from any mortgagee for the location and installation of hand.holds, manholes, transformer vaults, cable, ducts, street lighting fixtures and other necessary equipment.

C. Install all underground wires and structures in accordance with the National Electric Code. All work shall be installed by a electrician, licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All work shall be reviewed and approved by the Electric Department/ Department of Public Utilities.

D. Obtain-adequate ties to underground conduit, prior to backfilling, to plot the location of all underground conduit on the as-built drawings for the street.

E. Provide for each residential lot owner service installation(s) as required by the Electric Department/Department of Public Utilities.

F. Provide, as necessary, temporary, sixty (60) ampere structures in conformity with the design and requirements shown in Figure 5.

3. No extension shall be made under the above provisions until the Applicant furnishes the Electric Department/Department of Public Utilities with a set of plans for the subdivision and the necessary permanent easements or rights-of-access which bear no cost to said Department.

(This appendix is on file with the Town Clerk.)

(This appendix is on file with the Town Clerk.)

(This Appendix is on file with the Town Clerk.)

1. All street trees shall be planted within the right-of-way lines of a street except, when upon the written consent of the owner, trees may be planted upon private property up to twenty (20) feet from the right-of-way lines.

2. If the planting of trees is required, the distance apart shall be a minimum of thirty five (35) feet on center and a maximum of fifty (50) feet on center.

3. All trees to be planted shall have a minimum height of eight to ten (8-10) feet and shall be of at least two and one half (2-1/2) inches in caliper, measured at a height of four (4) feet from the ground level.

4. The specie and variety of the trees to be planted shall be selected and approved by the Planning Board and the Director of Public Works/Tree Warden.

5. No evergreen trees, such as pine, fir, spruce or hemlock shall be planted as public shade trees along a way.

6. No trees or shrubs shall be planted at any corner or intersection where the could become a traffic hazard by obstructing vision or preventing safe vehicular movement.

7. All cut bankings that tend to wash or erode shall be planted with a low-growing evergreen shrub such as laurel, mugho pine or juniper and shall be seeded with a deep-rooted perennial grass to prevent erosion.

8. All trees shall be planted in one-half (1/2) of a cubic yard of loam, mulched with four (4) inches of chips and shall be properly wrapped and guyed in a manner to ensure their survival. (See Figure 6.)

9. In a subdivision, the Applicant shall be liable for all plant materials as to their erectness and good health for one (1) year after its installation, as determined by the Planning Board and the Director of Public Works/Tree Warden.

1. Purpose and Intent

The purpose and intent of stormwater management shall include:

a. for quantitative control of stormwater runoff, consisting of a system of native specie vegetation and structural measures that control the increased volume and rate of surface runoff caused by man-made changes to the land; and

b. for qualitative control of stormwater runoff, consisting of a system of native specie vegetation, structural or other measures that reduce or eliminate pollutants that might otherwise be carried off by surface runoff.

2. Application

The applicant shall follow all regulations and policies for proper stormwater management for the following activities:

1. all new subdivisions

2. all new multi-family developments

3. all new site plan review applications

3. Submission Requirements

The applicant shall be responsible for providing applicable information in compliance with these Rules and Regulations. Information to be provided shall include:

a. All storm drainage information in accordance with 6.14 of the Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land in Ipswich, Massachusetts;

b. Detailed description of the existing environmental and hydrological conditions of the site and of the receiving waters and wetlands. This information shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1) the direction, flow rate, and volume of surface runoff under existing conditions and, to the extent practicable, pre-development conditions;

2) the location of areas of the site where stormwater collects or percolates into the ground;

3) a description of all surface watercourses, water bodies, and wetlands on or entering the site, or adjacent to the site for into which stormwater flows. Information regarding their water quality and current water qualify classification shall be included;

4) depth of seasonal groundwater levels, approximate direction and rate of flow, seasonal fluctuations;

5) location of 100 year flood zones/plains;

6) principal vegetation types;

7) topography described in full contour detail, at two (2) foot intervals, with area of steep slope (over 10%) highlighted;

8) soils, with an accompanying analysis of the best use potential of the soils and the hydrological group classification: the soil map and use potentials analysis prepared by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service shall be used as the basis for this analysis.

c. Proposed alterations of the site shall be described in detail including, but not limited to, the following:

1) changes in topography, described in full contour, with details at two (2) foot intervals;

2)areas where vegetation will be cleared or otherwise altered;

3) areas that will be covered with an impervious surface and a description of the surfacing material(s);

d. The proposed development layout shall be described in detail including, but not limited to, the following:

1) the site arrangement including the location of structures, roadways, parking areas, sewage disposal facilities and undisturbed lands;

2) all drainage systems to be provided, including the location and design of the roadway and individual lot subdrains and full drainage calculations and supporting documentation;

e. Predicted impacts of the proposed development on existing conditions shall be described in detail and shall include:

1) changes in water quality including, but not limited to, ground and surface water;

2) changes in groundwater levels;

3) changes in the incidence and duration of flooding on the site and upstream and downstream from it;

4) adverse impacts on wetlands;

5) impacts on vegetation.

f. All components of the drainage system and any measures for the detention, retention or infiltration of water and/or for the protection of water quality shall be described in detail, including the following:

1) the channel, direction, volume and rate of flow and the quality of stormwater that will be conveyed from the site, with a comparison to existing conditions and to the extent practicable, pre-development conditions;

2) detention and retention areas and devices, including: a) plans for discharge of contained waters, including the time to draw down from full condition, and description of outlet structures; b) maintenance plans: including maintenance schedule, an outline of responsible parties and owners, and all pertinent information and/or agreements to be executed to insure proper maintenance; c) an evaluation of the pollutant removal efficiency of such devices under the existing conditions;

3) areas of the site to be used or reserved for percolation including the depth to seasonal groundwater table, and prediction of the impact on groundwater quality;

4) areas to be utilized in overland flow, the hydrological soil type of such areas, vegetation present, and the soil susceptibility to erosion;

5) any other information which the Applicant or the Planning Board believes is necessary for an evaluation of the development.

g. Nitrogen and/or Phosphorus Loading Report:

For review of water quality impact, an Applicant shall submit calculations of anticipated nitrogen and/or phosphorus contribution from roads, lawns and septic systems. The Applicant must determine the "carrying load" or ability to absorb nitrogen and phosphorus loading of all receiving water systems on site.

4. Performance Standards:

The Stormwater Management Report submitted must demonstrate that the proposed development or activity has been planned and designed and will be constructed and maintained to meet each of the following standards:

a. ensure that after development that no detrimental effects shall be created or caused by the proposed development;

b. maintain the natural hydrodynamic characteristics of the watershed;

c. protect or improve the quality of surface and ground waters;

d. protect, maintain, or improve water quality or existing water quality standards for all receiving waters, water courses and water bodies;

e. protect and maintain groundwater levels;

f. protect the beneficial functioning of wetlands as areas for natural storage of flood waters, the chemical reduction and assimilation of pollutants and wildlife and fisheries habitat;

g. prevent increased flooding and damage that results from improper location, construction and design of structures;

h. prevent reverse salt water intrusion;

i. protect the natural fluctuating levels of salinity in estuarine areas;

j. minimize alteration to flora and fauna and adverse impacts to fish and wildlife habitat;

k. otherwise further the objectives of the Stormwater Management Policies and Regulations.

5. Design Standards

The design, construction and maintenance of stormwater systems shall be consistent with the following:

a. Discharging runoff directly into rivers, streams, watercourses, or enlarging the volume, rate or further degrading the quality of existing discharges/runoff is prohibited. Runoff shall be routed through vegetated swales, using native species and other structural and nonstructural systems designed to increase time of concentration, decrease velocity, increase infiltration, allow suspended solids to settle and remove pollutants. Such systems will utilize overland flow and reinfiltration as priority techniques for the treatment of run-off;p

b. Retention and detention ponds, and methods of overland flow may be used to retain, detain and treat the increased and accelerated runoff which the development generates;

c. There shall be a minimum of two (2') feet of naturally occurring soils between the detention basin bottom and the maximum annual ground water table;

d. Water shall be released from detention ponds at a rate and in a manner approximating the natural conditions which would have occurred before development;

e. Intermittent water courses such as swales shall be vegetated;

f. The first one (1") inch of runoff from impervious surfaces, such as rooftops and paved surfaces, shall be treated in the site of the development;

g. Runoff from parking lots and streets shall be treated so as to remove oil and sediments. Catch basins shall be provided with hoods; in the alternative, drainage outfalls shall discharge to low velocity "vegetated treatment" swales.

h. The use of drainage facilities and vegetated buffer zones as open space and conservation areas shall be encouraged;

i. Neighboring properties shall not be effected by flooding from excessive runoff.

6. Detention/Retention Basins:

a. Performance Standards: The performance standards shall include the following:

1) Development shall be oriented to the site so that cutting and stripping of vegetation and grading are minimized;

2) Temporary seeding, mulching or other suitable stabilization methods shall be used to protect exposed areas during construction; as feasible, natural vegetation shall be retained and protected; during the months of October through March, when seeding and sodding my be impractical, an anchored mulch shall be applied as approved by the Board or by the Board's Subdivision Inspector; diversions and/or prepared outlets may be required in critical areas during construction.

3) Soil and other materials shall not be stockpiled or redistributed, either temporarily or permanently, in locations or in such a manner as would cause suffocation of tree root systems;

4) Erosion and sediment controls shall be coordinated with the sequence of grading, development and construction operations; control measures shall be in effect prior to commencement of each increment/phase of the process;

5) No area shall be cleared larger than that portion on which construction can be completed rapidly; large areas shall not be left bare and exposed for long periods of time;

6) Grading shall be kept to a minimum; tree removal shall be minimized;

7) Runoff shall be controlled and conveyed into storm drains and other outlets so it will not erode the land or cause off-site damage; sediment in runoff shall be trapped by using staked hay bales, silt fencing, or sedimentation traps;

8) sediment basins shall be constructed where necessary to detain runoff and to trap sediment during construction;

9) Permanent vegetation and erosion control structures, as necessary, shall be installed preferably immediately after construction is completed but otherwise no later than the first full spring season immediately thereafter; they shall comply with the erosion and sedimentation vegetative practices recommended by the U.S. Soil Conservation service;

10) Temporary ground cover or erosion/sedimentation controls shall be established on any unbuilt lots as required by the Board;

11) Native species shall be used for re-vegetation;

12) All graded areas beyond the Street Right-of-Way shall be covered with four (4") inches of topsoil and planted with a native specie of vegetative cover, sufficient to prevent erosion;

13) Topsoil shall be stripped from disturbed areas, stockpiled in approved areas and stabilized with temporary vegetative cover if it is to be left for more than thirty (30) calendar days; perimeter sediment controls shall be installed around each area of stockpiled topsoil;

b. Design Standards:

1) Soil erosion control structures shall not be located in a front yard or side yard bordering a street;

2) Structures should be designed to preclude the necessity for perimeter security fencing;

3) The slope of any bank should not be greater than six (6) to one (1); [Amended 2-18-99]

4) The greatest depth of water in a detention pond during a 100-year design storm shall not exceed two (2) feet; release rates shall comply with the provisions of Section 6.14.3 of the Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land in Ipswich, Mass.; and [Amended 2-18-99]

5) Groundwater recharge systems shall be utilized whenever feasible.

c. Maintenance Standards - Prior to Acceptance

1) As required by the Board, all control structures and associated systems shall be inspected for functionality and damage at least twice each year by the Board's Subdivision Inspector or an agent of the Town. The costs for such inspection shall be borne by the Applicant;

2) The Applicant shall be responsible for cleaning sediment and debris from catch basins at least annually; additional cleaning may be required by the Board;

3) The Applicant shall be responsible for removal of trees, bushes and/or other growth in the sedimentation basins, and for keeping live native specie vegetative cover on the banks of such basins. Replacements for dead vegetative cover and re-seeding shall be completed promptly;

4) The Applicant shall repair or replace any damaged system to the satisfaction of the Board; the Applicant shall be responsible for any damage due to flaws in design or construction; and

5) The Applicant shall be responsible for cosmetic maintenance such as periodic mowing of grassed areas in sedimentation basins.

d. Acceptance of the system

1) Prior to any acceptance by the Town or by another entity, the control structures shall be subject to a final inspection by the Board's Subdivision Inspector and/or the Town's agent; the cost of inspection shall be borne by the Applicant; the inspection shall assure compliance with the following elements:

a. the system has been constructed in accordance with the plans approved by the Board;

b. all construction debris has been removed;

c. sediment has been flushed from pipes by a pressure wash;

d. catch basins and detention/retention structures are free of sediment; and

e. ground cover is fully established on banks.

2) No release of security for erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be granted until the Board is satisfied that the systems comply with the plans;

3) If as a result of the final inspection the Applicant is found to be in non-compliance with the plans, the Board may use the security to assure that the control system(s) is/are brought to into conformance and is/are cleaned and maintained properly in accordance with the plans.

7. General Requirements

The Applicant shall secure future maintenance of the stormwater system by a proper bond or by a deposit of money of an amount as determined by the Board. Such security must be established to the satisfaction of the Board prior to release of any lots within the development and prior to the Board's sign-off of building permit(s).

In the event that the Applicant does not follow maintenance procedures and programs as approved by the Board, the Board shall have the authority to expend any portion of said, security to provide such maintenance.

In the event that the stormwater system is accepted by the Town or any private association and/or trust, and, therefore the Town or a private association and/or trust assumes the ownership of said system, any remaining portion of this security may be refunded to the applicant or the homeowner's association as deemed appropriate by the Board.