Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-30
State Highway Commissioner
Gates Recommends Them in
Vermont Highways.
MET ROAD COMMISSIONERS
First OF the County Meetings Held AZ
Midd1ebury Tuesdny-Wants Wide
ROndvvays-w.s 8. Lowell Of Spring.
field Elected supcriutc ndcnt
Of states Prison.

Middlebury, March 2s-Pursuant to a
call by State Highway Commissioner
Charles w. Gates meeting of the road
commissioners of Addison county con-
vened at the opera house here to-day.
Commissioner Gates called the meeting to
order and stated the object OF the meet
| ing. After roll call he gave brief ad-
dress on the general features OF his Off
oial connection with the good roads work
and called upon Professor Notey. who
made very interesting address on the
subject Of village roads.
Alter the dinner recess Commissioner
Gates gave a detailed talk on the good
roads question. Ills remarks were gwen
close attention by the audience and vari-
Gus questions asked. showing that the sub
jcct has taken d deep hold upon those
who are connected with the work
Commissioner Gates went over the
| individual features of the CIRCULAR let
ter issued by him. and gave his pref
crence for gravel roads over stone or
common earth where the material can
be procured even at a distance OF three
miles. II" took pains to impress upon
! his audience the fact that whatever
was accomplished the work should be
thorough. II boulder is in the track
too heavy to be taken out, dig around
and sink it beyond the possibility OF
the road coming directly upon 1t. or
what he recommended as better, blast
the boulder and remove entirely. An
important feature oi road building Is
drainage no good road can be main
tanned without prop,r drainage Han
way work in this particular thing Will
need repairing after every hard ram
or the work 50 sl"vcnly accomplished
will need to be rebuilt every spring
at a needless expense of labor ana
money. Making your roads straight
under drainage is an especially good
feature in road building. Board
blanks can be so used as to make IN"
work permanent, especially on MIL
sides and brush can he worked in to
good advantage in many instances
Spruce and hemlock brush are the
best.
Roads should all be built 90 feet
wide unless the expense be too great
He thought Il 16-foot road wen putt
better than eo-foot road half way
| constructed but the beaten track
should never he less than IL feet
wide, with side d'chcs full 20 inches
wide at the bottom and extending to
the top at least two and one-half feet.
If less than two and one-half feet at
the top it will generally become a mere
mud hole from the soil crumbling down
into it,
Culverts crossing the road should
be at least two and a half feet wide
All tracks should have gravel founda-
lions When the latter is difficult "a
obtain a layer If six inches may be al
tornated with common earth. The
Telford foundation is highly recon
r.ended In layng MP stone walls fol
culvcrts and foundations the stone
should be so lad as to break joints tc
prevent being washed out by early
GOODS.
Mr.. Gates He'd the special atten
ton of all omnissioncrs to the sus
gestions in the printed circular let
ter in reference to the care of the
state roads and the suggestions call
ing attention 20 the facts that early
working the ordinary roads save mucl
time and hard work.
As the hour Of about three had abou
arrived and such Il large proportion %
the audience made preparation to leave
Professor Notoy did not give his after
noon address on the subject of roa'
material to be used making and repair
ing and the meeting took on the shap'
of general discussion with eXcellen
results. There We're about Is present