The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1907-03-21
| ROADS
AND Z
ROAD MANN0&ssA>
I.OAD BUILDING IN OHIO.
Novel Method Adopted by Which
Each Donated His Share.

Novel Method Adopted by Which
Each Donated His Share.
The laws of the State of Ohio give
township trustees the Lower to levy
tax of six mills per dollar on all
taxable property, which money must
BIZ used G cl .sively for stone roads.
We have been carrying this levy for
several years to raise funds for
o IT township is rather small ana the
law further provides that trustees
may accept by donation either moa-
ey or labor we recently gave our
people an opportunity to donate;
that is, We would give them two or
three weeks, on some OF oar main
roads, to raise money by donation,
With the privilege OF working oLt the
amount subscribed, or to pay in
cash, by hand or by team work;
hand labor at the rate o. $3.50 per
day and team work at IS per day.
The rule has been that the commu-
nifty raising the largest donation
should receive its road first. In 1906
spring there was a contest. one rails
ing donation Of $3.50 and the
other $11,055. Some farmers on the
direct line of the road subscribed as
much as $500 each. says J. l.. Pet
ers of Carroll Township, In Good
Roads Magazine.
Road building with us is just in
It's infancy. Up to the present time
we have built only three miles, bat
out people all want more. Although
We have had clay soil to contend
with our roads are giving pretty
good satisfaction.
IN the construction of our roads
we first prepare orr grade or earth
bed by Thoroughly draining it. This
we recognize as being one of the
most important features for build
ing successful road. We next ex-
cavate the earth to one-half the
thickness of the stone to be put in.
Before putting in the stone, how
ever. our subgrade is thoroughly
rolled down by our ten ton roller.
The first layer of stone is put in four
or five inches thick, consisting of
stone running from three TO four
inches well screened to size and
well rolled. This is followed by an
other layer of same size In like man
ner, also well rolled, and then just
enough screenings put on to fill up
all vC:ds and bond the stone. and
again rolled.
The third, or last, layer consists
of stone running in size from one to
two inches put on two or three
inches thick, well rolled, with only
enough screenings to bond the stone,
and leaving the road with a smooth
finish. Care is necessary where a
narrow track of stone road is built
to keep same above the earth road
and with enough crown to allow all
water to run readily to the sides or
cutters. We start our grade with a
crown of three or four inches, which
we holdsuntil the road is complete.
- The first two miles Of road built
were constructed under favorable
circumstances, as we had to haul the
and teams made seven and eight
trips apiece per day. 1t required
about $500 tons of stone to the
miie. We have been using limestone.
and last year we had to pay 81 cents
per ton f. o. b. cars at Oak Harbor.
This year we were compelled to pay
80 cents per ton. The average cost
of a road ten feet wide and ten
inches thick would. | estimate. be
about $4,000 per mile.
We built one of our main roads
sixteen feet wide, ten inches thick in
center and five inches on the sides,
this cost US $500 per mile, the cost
of course depending upon the cost of
material and the distance at which 1t
has to be hauled. In this estimate
labor, fuel for road roller, and otter
expenses. the donated labor being
counted the same as hired labor, are
figured complete.
We own oar own steam road roll
or, and we find this one Of the most
necessary Implements for road
building and for repairing the old
roads. The work OF construction Is
placed in charge of the township
trustee. We 90 not employ an engi-
neer or contractor. Bids are asked
1T the proper time for the crushed
Is az aTded to the lowest bidder. So
fA- limestone being the most avail
e material, we have used il, and
: g 9gIrcs ] have given are based on
are