Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-03-29
ALL FOR GOOD ROAD&I
ADDISON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
IN ANNUAL MEETING.

State Commissioner sanford Present and
Creates Much nthusiasm-Thorough
Discussion of Countys Needs "a Feature
of the Conference.
State Highway Commissioner j. o.
Sanford met the road commissioners of
Addison county at the Addison Tuesday,
for the annual meeting. In spite Of the
unsettled roads all but four of the towns
of the county were represented, those not
answering to the roll being Weybridge,
Orwell, Starksboro and Hancock. That
the desire is for better roads was shown
by the interest taken in the discussions.
Mr.. Sanford is an enthusiast who is
always learning, and impresses one at
once with his earnestness.
The meeting organized by the election
of Jared Booth of Ferrisburg as president
and w. f. Hammond of Middlebury as
secretary. Mr.. Sanford first called up
the commissioners and asked how long a
term they were elected for and how
much service they had seen. The major
lty were elected for but one year, but
nearly all had served from one to eight
years. The only town in the county
raising more than the 20 cent tax required
by law is Goshen, with % miles Of noun
tain road and grand list of but $500.
Here Il cents additional tax is required.
The majority of the commissioners
spoke in the highest terms of stone
foundation for roads, as it insures per-
manency and requires almost no expense
for repairs, although the first cost is
higher than dirt roads. 1t was shown
that heavy stone as a base, these covered
by smaller stone and this covered first by.
clay, to hold them in place, and then fol-
lowed by sand, made an almost ideal road
in the country. Where the roadbed is
clay and that of the Addison county
sticky variety, coating of sand will
work down during wet season and this
combination makes almost Il pavement
where mud holes had ilourshed. Those
taking part in the discussion were Moul-
ton of Vergennes, Mech Of Monkton,
Wilmarth of Addison, Furson of Leicester
and Smith of Bristol, besides Mr.. Wheeler
of Bridport and Mr.. Iiuntley of Leicester,
these last having been for several years
| in charge of the roads in their towns, but
now superseded yet retaining deep in
terest in the subject of good roads.
The matter of using tile for suices
brought out much information. 1t was
shown that they are economical and are
not affected by frost if laid in dirt with
out cement Joints. The system of having
one man responsible for the condition of
the roads in his town finds new friends
each year. and but few persons would
favor a.return to the old methods. The
purchase of road machines was urged
wherever it could be done, but good
roller is more essential and should be
owned, even where road machine can
not be afforded.
The afternoon session was given over
to Mr.. Sanford's address, or as he would
say, suggestions. Mr.. Sanford laid par
ticular stress on the desirability of max
ing some permanent road each season,
and the reports show that nearly every
town was doing this, the amount of fin
shed road varying from 20 to 100 rods,
with an average of 20 rods.
Mr.. Sanford went into his subject very
thoroughly, taking up every step of road
making and treating it exhaustively. In
conclusion he said
"Vermont is making progress in high
way Improvement on the plan laid out of
thoroughly building each year, in every
town, a section of road In substantial and
permanent Misunderstanding good drain
age, laying foundation where necessary,
surfacing with suitable material, finish
ing well the surface, and system for
road maintenance that protects and keeps
them at their best and at all times. In
this we are helped by bearing in mind
what a road is. No better definition has
been given than one by John l.. Mac
adam, who was the originator of that sys-
TEN of scientifically constructed stone
roads that bears his name, and that are
so popular in many countries He said,
A good road is an artificial floor. form
ing strong, smooth, solid surface, capa-
BILE of carrying great weight, and over
which carriages may pass with impedi-
ment.' Let such road be our model"
The Book Of the College Centennial.
aE n.ll