The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-07-28

80. such danias = were
' alt of defects nj. ,..cd v
~ is having to do wi I, ,h 81.
"a" e whole, it was fell h,i we
Nv. .erei sufficient securii, .sunst
~. Ierous defects in most Eases.
ave two Seasons experience justified
The change in the law? II would ap-
pear not. No one who drives much
and TO any distance over orr roads can
fail to notice general alteration Tor
the worse. The roads show neglect.
Damages caused by rains are often not
attended TO except where The, hav c
made The way impossible. Planked
culverts and sideways are ,ulably
neglected even where they are posi-
lively dangerous. Worn bridge
planks are patched by mailing boards
above the holes instead of laying new
planks. Everywhere spirit of pro-
crastination shows its work in slovenly
repairs, and half repairs, and l.ng de-
layed repairs.
The trouble seems TO be that too
much red tape is required in enforcing
repairs. Under the law whenever a
highway or bridge becomes unsafe,
three citizens may notify in writing
one OF the selectmen In the town
where the highway or bridge is situa.
ted, and if the town neglects to begin
the repairs within thirty-six hours,
" .'-.--i. E. ..;,;,o.
over their several signatures, setting
forth the condition aud location II the
insufficient highway or bridge, Ind lille
II with one of the board of road COM
missioners of the county; on the re-
ceipt Of the complaint il is made the
duty of the commissioner TO notify one
of the selectmem of the town and the
parties, or one of them, filing the COM
plant, when and where the board will
examine the highway or bridge COM
planned of, and they then and there
give hearing 10 all parties interested,
and if they are of opinion that the high.
way or bridge is ont of repair or unsafe
they shall determine what repairs shall
be made and give to the selectmen a
copy of their report, and shall make an
order requiring the town to make the
repairs. Another section of the law
requires that all such complaints to the
road commissioners filed by three citi-
ing, a certificate o their oath attached
to the complaint, that they have per.
sonally examined the highway or
bridge and that it is out of repair, and
the complainants must deposit with
the commissioners or give security to
them for the costs of the examination
which will amount to two dollars and
expenses each per day while attending
to the matter. If the commissioners
happen to disagree with The complain
ants as to the need of repairs the latter
have to pay their costs.
The result Of all this is that unless
the highway or bridge is almvs, impas-
sable or positively dangerous, In most
country districts every one prefers to
let somebody else take the trouble of
making the complaints. The select.
men indulge i'll no very strong feeling
of responsibility when procrastination
AZ, g ;JnqssgleeSet on their '. part is
for damages and thus gain for them
the i'll will and lose for them the future
votes OF their fellow citizens. The law
in some respects seems as though in.
tended to frighlen citizens from max
ing complaints. 1t is, to be sure, well
| 90 nnlatnd To eae.ra proper repairs
wherever ihoro arc energetic, pnshi.s
men who arc willing ~ devote them
selves to the struggle with Off ial iner-
tia, but most of the people of Vermont
nave something else to do With their
lime. The consequence is that, while
some districts and towns may have SAT-
lsiactory and safe highways, il is to be
inferred from all we hear and see thai
THIS is not true of most of the state. but
that on the contrary the highways are
generally in worse condition than nm.
der the old law.
Ii this difference is due Ia taking
away the incentive to attention ~ the
condition of the highways which the
former right of action for damages af-
forded, let that right be restored.
Good roads are necessary even If, to
secure them, the towns have to run the
risk of smarting for il.