Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-03-05
Stare ROAD MONEY.
Action Towns Must Fake to Receive
state Aid f,r Roads

There IL much discu sion among State
OH .lals as to the pro Der construc ion TO be
plac d a ION tbs law pissed last winter for
the inproynent OF Sta e roads The ques
ton being ayit ted IL whether the pro
visions OF tbs law apply to tbs year 1901
and 1902 1t s contended by some that
the towas which c,mpliei with the law
last ysi. are entitled to the stipend allow
ed, that Is one half OF the money expended
by them In addition to their regular high
way appropriations, not exceeding 800,
while on the other hand. It Is contended
that no towns are entitled to any bsnedt
for the ye ar 1901. but that the money ap-
propriated wa. for use In 1902.
The latter contention seems the more
reasonable, for the Law appropriates no
money to be used for the year 1901, where.
as section s OF the act states: "For the
purpose of carrying out the provision OF
this act this sum OF SIS 900 is hereby sppro-
priated for the year 1902"
The act was introduced by Representa-
tive Moulton, OF south Portland, In the
early days OF The session, but 1t was not
finally passed until the closing hours. 1t
was considered by the committee on State
lands and State roads. of which Mr. Moul-
ton was a member. The understanding at
the time was that no money wou d be CIV
en- by the State for work done in 1901, but
that the sum OF SIS 900 should be appro-
priated for 1902. Mr.. Moulton's original
bill contemplated covering 1901, and the
bill was amends so as to have 1t become
operative ION and after the first day of
January. Although no year is stated in
this clause OF the bill, 1t is reasonable to
suppose that IT meant Jan 1, 1902 The
bill was passed by the House on yea and
nay vote, 81 to SO. on March 20, and two
days later was approved by the governor
and went into effect.
1t was too late for the towns at their an
nual meetings to take action upon the
matter, as most town meetings had then
been held.
Speaker Manley was asked as to his I'M
Outstanding OF the provisions OF the law,
and he said his impression was that 1t was
genera ly understood it was not to apply
to work done in the year 1901, but was to
go into effect after the first OF January,
1902. There was no appropriation made
for the year 1901" said Mr.. Manley. "but
$751; 900 was appropriated for the year 1902 "
1t Is futher argued that the clause al the
close OF section 2, which provides that
"such aid shall be paid from the State trea-
sury on and after the first day of Janu-
ary," means that no stipend shall be paid
for the year 1901 until after Jan. 1, 1902;
and that no stipend shall be paid for 1902
work until after Jan. l, 1903. IL this con-
struction is correct, then nearly the
entire appropriation Of $500 specifically
made for the year 1902, must revert to the
State treasury on the 31st day of December
of this year.
II towns seek to take advantage OF the
law this year they must run the chances Of
securing an appropriation from the legis-
lsture OF 1903. Only five towns in the
whole State have thus far sought to secure
ance with the rules laid down, and these
towns could not receive, even if the law
applied to 1901 work, more than 800 each
or $500 in all, so that S14 500 would have to
be returned to the State treasury.
Last year forty one towns notified the
secretary OF State that they had appropri
ated special sums for the improvement of
State roads in their respective towns, but
most of these must later have realized that
they could get no aid from the State for
the year 1901, because only five towns have
filed certificates showing that the amounts
by them had been expended.
Now that town meetings for 1902 are
shortly to be held, it is essential il any
town wishes to take advantage of the APP
propria ion OF $4,000 for road improve
ment, that it stall follow the instructions
contained la the law. The following order
Of procedure should be careful ly adhered
to by towns desiring State aid in improv-
ing roads:
l.. Article In town warrant for an appropria-
lion with power.
3 Designation OF highway as a State road by
the county commissioners.
3. Notice to secretary of State that an appro-
priation has been made.
4. Make repairs before Aug.1.
5. Sworn return made to county commission
ers before Sept /. as to the amount appropria-
ted and expended, the amount of road improved
and the character of the work done.
6. Inspection OF improvements by county
who shall certify to governor
and council the amount each town is entitled to
receive.
I. Any town dissatisfied with decision of
county commissioners may appeal to governor
and council.
There is no doubt that towns complying
with these rules and regulations may Sc
cure State aid this year up to the amount
of the appropriation. The towns notify
ing the secretary OF State that appropria-
lions have been made will take prect dence
in the order in which such notice is receiv-
ed. The NAHUM sum which each town is
entitled to is one-half OF the amount ex-
pended, not exceeding 800.
Towns following the order of procedure
as above laid down will experience no
difficulty in securing their stipend any
time after the first OF September; that is,