Surety Bond Encyclopedia

Street Opening Bond - Township of Ridgefield, CT in Connecticut

Brief Summary

Most people assume one flat figure. Ridgefield sets $500 only for service connections and repairs with a trench of 50 linear feet or less. Every other job gets an amount set by the Director of Public Services, so get that number from the town first and the bond can be written to match it before the permit is issued.

The Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut requires cash security or a performance bond before it issues a permit to open or excavate a public highway, dig within a town right of way, or build a driveway abutting a town highway. Under Town Code § 310-9 the amount is $500 for service connections and repairs with trenches of 50 linear feet or less. For all other construction or repairs the Director of Public Services sets the amount based on the nature of the work.

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How to Apply for a Street Opening Bond:

Describe the job for the Department of Public Services: street location, nature of the work, start date and expected completion, as § 310-8 requires.
Work out which tier applies. Service connections and repairs with trenches of 50 linear feet or less carry a $500 bond.
For any other work, get the amount set by the Director of Public Services before ordering the bond.
Apply for the bond in the permittee's exact legal name and review the quoted premium.
Deliver the executed bond, or cash security, before the permit is issued.
Restore disturbed surfaces and maintain the new surface for one year after completion.

Detailed Information About the Connecticut Street Opening Bond:

Which amount applies to you

Town Code § 310-9 has two tiers. Service connections and repairs to them, meaning trenches 50 linear feet or less in length, need a cash deposit or a bond of $500. All other construction or repairs need cash security or a bond in an amount the Director of Public Services decides, dependent on the nature of the work. The bond must carry surety and conditions satisfactory to the Director, and it has to be in hand before any permit is issued.

Who needs the permit

Under § 310-7B no person may open or excavate any public highway, excavate within any public right of way, or construct, build or establish any driveway abutting a town highway without a permit from the Director of Public Services. The application under § 310-8 states the street location, the nature of the work, the start date and the expected completion time. The Board of Selectmen has delegated permit issuance and the collection and release of performance bonds to the Director under § 310-5.

How long the bond stays in place

Section 310-16 says the bond or cash deposit is not released until the work has been done in the manner the article requires. If the work is not completed within one year, the Director may revoke the bond or deposit and use the funds to finish it. Section 310-15 also makes the permittee maintain newly surfaced areas for one year after completion. Under § 310-6, deposits and performance bonds revert to the Town two years after they are established if the depositor cannot be located or the project is inactive.

Not the same as a new road bond

Building a new street for town acceptance falls under Article VI, and § 310-55 sets its own security rules, including a cash portion. That is a different requirement from the street opening security described here, and § 310-7A adds an inspection fee for proposed public road construction under Chapter 170, § 170-2.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Connecticut Street Opening Bond:

Town of Ridgefield as obligee, with surety and conditions satisfactory to the Director of Public Services.
A $500 bond or cash deposit for service connections and repairs with trenches of 50 linear feet or less.
An amount set by the Director of Public Services for all other construction or repairs.
Cash security is accepted in place of a bond.
Bond held until the work meets Article II standards, with a one year completion window before the Director may use the security.
Newly surfaced areas maintained by the permittee for one year after completion under § 310-15.

Connecticut Street Opening Bond FAQs:

Is the Ridgefield street opening bond always $500?

No. The $500 figure in § 310-9A covers only service connections and repairs to them where the trench is 50 linear feet or less. For all other construction or repairs, § 310-9B leaves the amount to the Director of Public Services based on the nature of the work.

Does a new driveway need this bond?

Section 310-7B requires a permit from the Director of Public Services to construct, build or establish any driveway abutting a town highway, and § 310-9 requires cash security or a bond before any permit under that article is issued.

When does the town release the bond?

Only after the work has been accomplished as Article II requires. If the work is not finished within one year, the Director may revoke the bond or deposit and use the funds to complete it. The permittee also maintains the new surface for one year after completion.

Can I post cash instead of a bond?

Yes. Section 310-9 accepts cash security or a performance bond. Keep in mind § 310-6, which says deposits and bonds revert to the Town two years after they are established if the depositor cannot be located or the project is inactive.

How is the premium set?

The surety quotes the premium from the bond amount and the applicant's credit and business history. For jobs outside the $500 tier, the Director's figure drives the bond amount, so get it from the town before you apply.