The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-04-11

DUTIES OF SUPERVISOIts.-IwO superyi-
sors of Cumberland township, Adams Co,
were lately indicted, convicted and fined
for neglect of duty. Judge Fisher, in his
charge to the jury, took pains to define the
duties of Supervisors under the statutes of
the state, and from his charge we reprint
so much as is applicable to Cambria as well
as to Adams and other counties, under the
general laws, for the benefit of people in
terested in this county:
The general road law of 1886 requires the
voters of each township to elect annually
two Supervisors, and they are Jointly liable
for the proper repair of the roads and bridges
in their townships. They cannot divide the
township, SO an to relieve themselves from
liability for repairs of roads and bridges in
certain localities of the township. The two
Supervisors constitute the board and their
official acts must be joint.
They possess very large powers and are
criminally responsible for neglect of duty.
They are bound to keep the roads and bridges
in good repair.
They should have sufficient bitches dug
upon the two sides of the road to carry off all
the water they should remove all loose
stones from off the road, and they should pike
otherwise improve low places they
should cut bitches from the road leading into
the fields to carry off the water, and should
any person fill up these bitches he should be
taken before n Justice and fined. If the
Supervisors permit bitches to be filled up,
whereby the water is thrown upon the road
the Supervisors may be indicted for neglect
of duty. Supervisors have right to go
upon adjoining property for stone, sand and
gravel, the value to be fixed by referees
1t is the duty of Supervisors also to make
and repair bridges over small creeks and
rivulets and deep gullies. If the Supervi-
sors neglect to repair the roads, or to keep
them open of the width the records call for
them to be opened. they are liable to indict-
ment.
Public highways, laid out, approved, or
entered record, shall be, as soon as prac-
tiCable, etfeCtually opened, and constantly
kept in repair, and all public roads shall, at
all seasons, be kept clear of all impediments
TO easy and convenient travelling at the eX-
peEse of the respective townships. And
whenever Supervisors neglect or refuse to
open n public road, or to keep it in repair,
they render themselves liable to punishment
by indictment and fine
Public roads, on a line which divides two
townships, shall be opened, made, kept clear
and in repair at the joint cost of such town
ships; and if either township in any case
necessarily incurs more than its due proper
ton of such cost, it shall be lawful for such
townships to recover from the other town.
ship the excess incurred.
Supervisors have power, and are required,
at the expense of their township, to purchase
wood, timber and other materials necessary
for the purpose of making, maintaining and
repairing the public roads and highways,
anc to employ, oversee and direct sufficient
number of iaborers to execute promptly and
effectually these objects.
One Supervisor has power to employ men
to do the ordinary repairs upon the roads, but
he cannot bind the township by a contract
for the opening of new road. Such con-
tract is act requiring deliberation and
judgment, and therefore must be the joint
act of both supervisors.
Supervisors have power and authority to
enter upon any lands or enclosures and cut,
| open, maintain and repair all such drains or
bitches through the same as they shall judge
necessary to carry the water from the roads;
doing no unnecessary damage to owners of
the land, and repairing all breaches of fences
| they shall make.