Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-04-13
MINI Leenl Permanent Roads sc.

Hon. VIM. B. Wall, state highway
commissioner, has sent circular to the
various town road commissioners of the
state, giving them instructions as to what
constitute permanent roads IN the mean.
ing OF the state highway law, and also
further instructions as to their duties I'M
der hat act.
A popularity that arises under the new
law is that instead OF the state highway
fund being divided among the towns in
the spring to be made a part OF their
several highway funds and, as 1t is feared
has too often been the cese, expended
largely or wholly for common road pur-
poses, the towns must now go ahead and
expend what is TO be their allowance be-
fore they can get II. Their commissioners
must satisfy the state commissioner that
ali their allowance has been expended for
permanent roads, as his instructions d.
rect, and in the fall they will recover from
the state treasury this amount. In this
way. the intent OF the new law is fulfilled.
The circular to town commissioners is
as follows:-
State OF Vermont,
Office OF State Highway Commissioner,
RANDOLPH, VI, April 10, 1899.
To the Road Commissioner OF the
In accordance with the highway law OF
1895, suggest: That all roads macada-
mized not less than inches thick, or 9th
erwise built OF stone not less than one foot
thick; gravelled roads In clay soil or on
sandy roads or in wet lands; roads built
by laying hemlock, tamarack, cedar or
chestnut logs, not less than IL inches In
diameter, and covered with not less than
six inches of gravel; or by lowering or
filling to make better gradei will be held
to be permanent road work under the Pro-
visions OF the law of 1898.
The macadamized roads are the best,
and where a town is building such, 1t
should proceed with the work under the
law OF 1898.
The commissioner recommends stone or
graveled roads where maCadamized roads
are not feasible. II the gravel is spread
evenly, so that when rolled 1t will not be
less than six inches deep, and rolled thor
oughly, il makes very good permanent
roads, but il should be carefully kept In
repair.
All permanent roads should be finished
not less than 10 feet wide, and should be
so graded as to descend from the center 10
the gutter at least IL inch to the foot and
more on hills so that the water may quick
ly leave the surface.
All eulverts, on roads built under this
law, should be built OF stone, iron or tile.
Under the provisions OF section 3l43, VT.
Sts., no part OF the per cent highway
tax can be used for repairing or rebuilding
bridges, culverts, or approaches thereto,
exceeding four feet span.
The commissioner recommends surface
drainage, by means OF cutters and such
occasional culverts as the surface OF the
land renders necessary.
You should consult with the selectmen
OF your town before beginning any work
on permanent roads, as to the location OF
your work, the best material to be used,
having reference to your location in the
state and the nature OF your soil.
By section of the highway act OF
1895. this money can be used only on the
main thoroughfsres OF the several towns,
and with the approval OF the selectmen.
You will be required to make a detailed
report to the state commissioner, giving
the location OF your work and an account
as to expenses and work, sworn to, on
blanks " hich will be furnished you.
You will have to procure the signatures
OF your selectmen to an approval printed
on the blanks.
Nm. b. WALL,
State Highway Commissioner.
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