Berwick considers changes in subdivision rules

Proposed changes to the town of Berwick’s subdivision regulations include prohibiting the construction of new asphalt roads, as concrete roads are easier for town workers to maintain, according to town officials.
At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, the council introduced an ordinance that would require proposed new streets extending from existing streets to be of the same width and material and would remove reference “to equivalent asphaltic concrete pavement for streets.”
Berwick Mayor Louis Ratcliff said one reason for disallowing new asphalt roads is due to concrete roads requiring less maintenance. Additionally, when maintenance is needed on concrete roads, town workers are able to make those repairs more easily than on asphalt roads.
The proposed changes and revisions would not be applicable to Fairview Park or River Bend subdivisions, which were both preliminarily approved Tuesday under the existing subdivision regulations, Ratcliff said.
At March’s council meeting, the council passed an ordinance to impose a moratorium on new subdivision development for up to two and a half months, The Daily Review reported at that time. This ordinance also doesn’t apply to Fairview Park and River Bend subdivisions.
A public hearing for the ordinance will be held at the May council meeting.
Other proposed amendments to the subdivision regulations include the following:
—The developer must provide a drainage impact study for development.
—The town would receive a three-year maintenance bond from the subdivision developer for streets constructed in a new subdivision.
—Catch basins must follow a “roll over” design.
—Sidewalks are a requirement.
—The ordinance removes language referencing that the town would reimburse the developer for requiring larger water mains.
—All electrical lines shall be underground.
—Telephone distribution boxes will be located on front property lines.