§ 58-7. Installation and maintenance of openings of cellars and other areas in sidewalks.

(a)

Every cellar or area hereafter constructed which opens in a sidewalk shall have such opening covered with substantial grating, rough-surfaced iron, or iron and glass or other substantial and durable materials approved by the town, which covering shall be flush with the pavement. No such opening to any existing cellar or area shall be recovered nor shall the covering thereof be repaired or renewed except with such material and in such manner as required in this subsection and under the supervision of the town.

(b)

The entrance to every cellar which opens in a sidewalk shall be covered with two doors of equal width, with joints and so constructed that when closed they shall be flush with the pavement and, when open, shall stand upright and at right angles to the pavement and be held in such position by connecting bars or chains at the end of the doors nearest the curb. No cellar door shall be allowed to fall back or lie flat upon the street or sidewalk when opened, nor to remain open any longer than necessary and while in actual use. The owner or occupant of any house or structure who shall, after notification by the town, fail or refuse to comply with this subsection shall be guilty of an offense against this section.

(c)

Whenever the owner or occupant of any house or structure to which is attached any cellar, area, vault, etc., opening in the street shall be notified by the town that the covering thereof is insecure and dangerous, it shall be his duty to repair the covering within such time as the town may prescribe. For failure to repair within such time, the town may cause such repairs to be made, and the cost shall be collected from the party in default in like manner as fines and assessments are collected, provided that the payment of such costs by the party in default shall not relieve him from the payment of any fine which may be imposed upon him for violation of this section.

(Code 1992, § 19-7)

Editor's note— The above section was set out in the town Code of 1949; the initial date of enactment cannot be ascertained, but the term "hereafter constructed" relates back more than 45 years.

(Code 1992, § 19-7)

Editor's note

The above section was set out in the town Code of 1949; the initial date of enactment cannot be ascertained, but the term "hereafter constructed" relates back more than 45 years.