The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-04-18
Good Roads Work in Maine


comes to the cities, towns and planta
tions of the state the question of road
building in general and state road
in particular, the work Of which will
be commenced as soon AS conditions
are favorable. The work has been on
the incease in the state ever since the
good roads movement was instituted
and Judging from the returns which
are now coming in at the office Of the
state commissioner OF highways the
work to be done this year will exceed
that of any previous year
The number Of cities, towns and
plantations, which built state roads
last year was 49, The returns IT,
far received at the office of The com
missioner show that 290 towns have
made appropriations for state road
work and Sd towns have reported that
they are not going to; II plantations
have made appropriations and IS have
not; 40 towns are building this year
which did not build last year and Il
towns which built last year have fail
ed to make appropriations this year.
There are 20 cities and towns to be
heard from.
As means OF showing the progress
of state road building in Maine since
the state road law was enacted the
following statement by Com'r Sargent
showing the amount of money ex-
pended each year and also the amend
ments made to the law since its pass
age will be of general interest.
The present state road law was
passed in 1901 and provided that any
town complying with its provisions
might expend not less than 500 not
more than 5000, and be reimbursed for
one half of the amount appropriated
and expended upon the state road
This law was not passed until March
and only II towns took advantage of
the law that year. These II towns
expended S3,025.30 and received as
state aid S1,175, an appropriation of
1000 being made to meet this ex-
penditure.
In 1902, 80 towns built state roads,
expanding $2l, 1902, and received as
state aid SO, 507.36, an appropriation
of $40, 900 having been made to meet
this payment of state aid.
The Legislature of 1903 amended the
law so that towns could expend not
to exceed $500 and be reimbursed for
oneh half of the amount appropriated
and expended IL lon2, BOG .:c,,7-iiiia5
built state roads, S69, ST.. 10, and re-
ceived as state aid, S2S, 722 .65, an APP
preparation of 1000 having been
made to meet this payment of state
aid
In 1904, 244 towns built state roads,
expending $50, 1885 and received as
state aid S33, 4S549. an appropriation
of $4,000 having been made to meet
this expenditure.
The legislature of 1908 amended the
law so that towns could eXpend $500
and be reimbursed for one half the
amount actually expended.
In 1905, 270 towns built state roads,
expended S106, 599.62, and receiving as
aid S4S,01z.81, an appropriation of
500, 900 having been made to meet this
payment of state aid.
Last year 322 towns built state roads
expanding S154, 577,07, and having
been reimbursed since the first day of
January this year SOS, 027 sc from the
appropriation of $4,000 passed by the
73rd Legislature.
1t is found that 374 individual towns
have taken advantage of the state
road law i'll the last six years and that
a total expenditure of sal, 1922 has
been made and of this amount the
state has contributed the sum of Sl89
03o.9 81.
The following figures will show the
average expenditure per town each
year since the law went into effect
In 1901 II towns built state roads,
expended $3,0253O and received as
state aid S1175, the average expendi-
ture being 8252.11.
In 1902, 80 towns built state roads,
expended S21, 1902 and received as
state aid SO, 507 So the average ex-
penditure being $21S.S9.
In 1908, 206 towns built state roads,
expended 500, 877.10 and received as
state aid 1928, 1922. 65, the average ex-
penditure being S339.11.
In 1904, 244 towns built state roads,
expended $50, SO and received as
state aid &35, 485.49, the average ex-
penditure being S348.43.
In 1905, 270 towns built state roads,
expended S105, S65.03 and received as
state aid S47 ,S33.49, the average ex-
penditure being S392.09.
In 1905, 324 towns and cities built
state roads, expended S154, S94.l and
received A. state aid SIS, 1865 and
average expenditure being S476,5s.
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