Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-12-31
The New State Road Law.

Perhaps not all of the readers remem-
Der that a new state road law goes into
effect Jan. 1st, 1908, and very likely still
fewer are acquainted with the principal
features of the new law. Ii is well to
get some general idea of it, as it sup
plants the old state road law.
A hasty reading of the law might lead
a layman To think that its chief result
would be 10 tangle our road system up
in red tape, but this is probably an
exaggerated view. The law is lengthy,
and would make about four columns OF
the Democrat.
One of the first things that is noted,
in reading the law, is that under 1t all
work of permanent improvement on the
roads, wherever done, is under the direc-
ton of the state highway commissioner.
Ii can not be begun until he has approx
ed the location and general character of
it, and all work is practically under his
supervision.
State roads already established under
the old law remain as such, and in
towns where no state roads have been
designated they may be established by
the county commissioners.
1t is made obligatory upon every town
in the state to set aside certain frac-
ton Of the money appropriated for the
repair of highways for the permanent
improvement of its main highways.
The amount thus set aside varies on a
sliding scale from so cents on each
thousand dollars of valuation in the
smallest towns to eight and one-third
cents in towns and cities of the largest
valuation.
In addition to this amount, each town
is required TO vote every year on the
question whether it win have state aid
for it's roads under the provisions of the
law. If il votes to do so, it may raise,
as separate appropriation, sum equal
to fifty per cent of that set aside from
the repairs appropriation, and will then
receive from the state an amount vary
ing according TO the size of the town.
This amount in towns of less than one
hundred thousand dollars valuation is
two dollars for each dollar set apart and
specially raised under the provisions
named above, and with towns of larger
size the proportion decreases until in
those of more than a million valuation II
is seventy-tive cents for each dollar con-
contributed by the town to the joint
fund.
Funds for the purposes of the act are
to be raised by an annual tax of one
third of mill on all the property OF the
state. This will amount next year, at
the valuation fixed by the state assess.
ors, to trifie less than $4,000 The
balance remaining, after paying to the
towns as above provided, may be used
by the state commissioner in building
connecting roads between state roads as
designated By the county commissioners
with the object of establishing as far as
possible complete system of continu-
Gus main highways Throughout the
state" But no part of this can be ex-
pended in town which has not accept
ed the provisions of the law providing
for state aid.
The Democrat has undertaken to fig
ure out how the law will affect certain
Oxford County tens and barring
possible errors, the results are as given
below. The towns selected for the
illustration are Mason. the smallest or
ganized town, Rumford, the largest, and
Oxford and Paris, representing two
grades between. In:each case the valua-
ton used is that fixed by the state
assessors, as that is probably what
would be used in the administration of a
state law.
Mason. with a valuation of $50, I92,
will have to set aside from its highway
appropriation s26 40, and if it desires
state aid must appropriate specially in
addition S1S 20, making total of
$50 90 for permanent work. 1t will
then receive from the state $40 20.
Oxford, valuation $3.50, $40, must set
aside sl60.1S, and may appropriate
5000, making total of $40 p. Will
receive from the state $500 81.
Paris, valuation 81, 42l ,674, must set
aside 355.42, and may appropriate
SlTT.7l additional, making a total of
1888. l3. Will receive from the state
1890 So
Rumford, valuation 1920 49, must
set aside $4,000, and may appropriate
s2O2.51 additional, making a total of
S607 SIS. Will receive from the state
S455. 65.