The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-01
CHAPTER 1882.


An ACT to Provide For the Maintenance and
Repair of Highways and Bridges.
II is enacted by tho General Assembly as fol-
lows:
SECTION I. All highways, causeways and
bridges except a. is hereinafter provided, ly-
ing and being within the bounds Of any town,
shall be kept in repair and amended. from
time TO time, so that the same may be safe
and convenient for travellers with their teams,
carts and carriages at all seasons OF the year,
at the proper charge and expense of such
town, under the and direction OF the
town council of such town.
SEC 2 The town council OF each town shall
divide the town into highway districts not
exceeding four in number, shall constitute
the entire town one highway district and
shall annually elect one surveyor of highways
for each such highway district, and fix his
compensation. Surveyors OF highways so elect
cd shall hold their offices until the next un--
nual financial town meeting Of such town and
thereafter until their successors are elected.
Vacancies occurring from any cause may be
filled by the town council, and the town coun-
Gil may remove from Office any surveyor OF
highways elected by them at their pleasure.
SEC. 8. Each town at some regularly called
meeting of the electors thereof who are en-
titled TO vote upon any proposition 10 impose
tax, shall annually appropriate such sum OF
money as said electors shall deem necessary
for the maintenance and repair OF its high
ways and bridges, and the sum so sppropriat'
Ell shall be included in the sum TO be raised
by the annual tax levied and assessed by such
town for town purposes. In case any town
shall fail to make said appropriation the town
council thereof shall make such expenditure
upon the highways and bridges OF said town
as may be necessary TO comply with the pro-
visions Of section one of this act.
SEC. 4. Town councils shall determine and
allot the proportion of the annual appropria-
fQr ha ma int
ways and bridges, which shall be expended
within the limits Of each highway district in
their respective towns, and 80 much OF said
appropriation as shall be expended shall be
expended under their care and direction, or
under the care and direction Of committee
or committees of their own members appeiht-
ed by them for that purpose. They shall also
tx the rate OF compensation TO be paid Tor
men, teams. road.making, machinery and ma
terials to be employed or used In their re-
spective towns.
SEC. 5. Whenever any town council shall be
OF the opinion that IL is preferable so to do,
they may provide for the expenditure by con-
tract OF portion or all Of the money allotted.
to be expended In any one or more highway
districts, and IL the work so done by contract
shall extend into two or more highway dis'
tricts, they may determine what proportion
of the cost thereof snail be paid from tho
money allotted 20 each Of said highway dis
ell by contract shall. when expended be ex'
pended by the surveyor Of highways OF the
district To whiea IL was allotted.
SEC. G. Whenever any town shall make, III
addition to it's annual appropriation Tor the
maintenance and repair OF its highways and
bridges, "A special appropriation for the build-
ing or repair OF any particular highway or
bridge or other highway work, and shall not
provide that such appropriation be expended
by contract the town council OF such ,oWh
shall determine whether the same shas be ga
expended, and If not expended by contract II
shall be expended by the surveyor of highways
of the district within which the wors Is To DO
done.
SEc. 7. Every surveyor of highways shall
execute the directions given him py the uOWn
council or the committee thereof herein pro-
vided for, and shall purchase and use such
materials and employ such ie'n, teams and
road making apparatus as may be necessary
therefor at the rates of compensation hxed by
tho town council. He shall keep himself IN
formed as to the condition Of all the highway
In his district, taking particular care 20 20 uo
Immediately after all storms ana froshets'
and shasl seasonably communicrpN such intor
| nation 20 the town council or tcFle cOmmit
tee thereof having care OF his district, and u
shall be his duty in case Of sudden ana unfore
seen damage 20 any highway or bridge 70
| forthwith repair the same at the expense OF
the town so that IL will DC safe and pasiaDIe,
| without Instruction or directloh rfom suof
| council or committee.
sEc g. Surveyors OF highways may cut
down, lop OF, dig up and remove All SORTS o
trees bushes, stones, fences, rails, gates Dars :
| enclosures or other matter or thins tnst shai
| I'm any manner straightcn, obstruct OF incOm'
mode any highway: Provided, that nothins
j bern4a contained shall be ~ ooEstriisa n ta