Council approval now required to undo road work
By: Stephanie Brown
JAMESBURG Any entity needing to rip open a recently repaved road must first receive approval from the Borough Council.
Due to the number of road improvements the borough has completed and is planning, the council passed an ordinance Wednesday to protect its newly paved roads.
Prior to the ordinance, those wishing to open a street had to apply for a permit but did not have to have council approval.
"I can’t say that we’ve had all that many issues, but we’re starting to do more paving and we don’t want it to become an issue," Business Administrator Denise Jawidzik said.
According to the ordinance, approval from the council must be given if the road has been paved within five years prior to the permit application. In deciding whether to grant a permit, the council must be satisfied that one or more of the following reasons exists: The situation is an emergency and can’t be avoided; the reason for tearing up the road could not have been known before the repaving; it is in the best interest of the borough.
The council also will decide the process by which the road will be closed, whether by patch paving or repaving the entire length of the block or road, Ms. Jawidzik said.

