The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-04-03
HIGHWAY MEETING
VERY PROFITABLE
Nineteen Towns in the County Were
Represented-State Highway Com
missioner Pleased at Unusual
Interest Shown.

The annual conference of the state
highway commissioner, Charles w.
Gates. with the road commissioners of
Windham county took place in Festival
hall Wednesday. Commissioners and
town officers to the number of 10 were
present, and all but four towns were
represented. Commissioner Gates said
that this was the best meeting ever
held in Windham county and that more
enthusiasm and interest were shown in
the matter of good roads in Windham
county than in almost any other sec
ton of the state. He expressed him
self, at the close of the meeting, as
much gratifed with the interest shown
here and characterized Brattleboro as
one of the beauty spots in his career as
state highway commissioner. "Down
here,n he continued, ~ seem to be
among those who are looking for good
roads, who really feel that they are
necessity and who are ready to come
out and learn something about the best
methods of road construction.
The morning session was taken up
with a discussion of the blunders made
last year in permanent road building.
These were many, said the speaker, and
it is a marvellous manifestation of good
will and hearty support each town ex-
hibited at the elections in voting so
much money for permanent road work,
Mr.. Gates urged each commissioner to
profit by the mistakes of last year. In
particular he discussed matters pertain
ing to grades, Strengthening curves, cut
ting down hills, and drainage. In re-
gard to material for road building he
urged the use of that near at hand with
a view of applying it to local condi,
lions. More than anything else he EN-
phassized the study of local situations
and the adaptability Of various kinds
of roads to different uses. In the after
noon a general discussion in which ev-
erybody took part, was the program.
The subject dwelt on the most was the
relation of state work to town work
in road construction. The principal
point of this discussion related to the
improvements and repairs that roads
selected for permanent work should be
subjected to. In particular the commits
sioner urged his hearers not to let
piece of road that has been improved
by the aid of state money fall into bad
repair, but to keep it in shape, and as
additionsaare made each year, stretch
of permanent roadway will result.
Mr.. Gates said that under the new
state law, by which any town is allowed
an amount up to $500 out of the state
treasury provided the town raises an
equal amount by special tax for high,
way uses, about $4,000 will be called
for this year, which is about the same
as last year. The amounts to which
Windham county towns are entitled are
as follows: Athens, 5000; Brattleboro,
$500; Dover, 5000; Grafton, 800; Lon
donderry, 1920; Jamaica, $155; New
fame, $500; Rockingham, $500; Towns
bend, $500; Vernon, $3.50; Wardsboro,
5000; Nottingham, $500; Somerset,
$3.50; Wilmington, $500; total, $3245.
A large number of selectmen OF varl-
Gus towns we're present, and Mr.. Gates
expressed himself as much pleased at
their interest. Among those commits
sioners present were: G. F. Willis,
Athens; John P. Nichols and John 2.
Brattleboro; Oscar Lawrence,
E. J. Grout, Dover; l.. +.
Crosby, Dummerston; W. E. Prouty,
Grafton; E. P. Squires, Guilford; B. s.
Worden, Halifax; H. E. FELTON,, London
derry; C. K. Stedman, Newfane; T. A.
Fuller, Putney; F.'A. Smith and j. b.
Wooley, Rockingham; E. B: Howard,
E. H. Akley, Vernon; E.
G.. Robinson, Wardsboro; H. S. Miller,
C. s. Reed, Westminster; j.. R. Gillette,
Nottingham; J. J. Gleason, Whining
ton; H. E. Tenney, Windham; j. II.
Lawrence, Bellows Falls. Some OF the
visiting commissioners were: ID. y.
Coleman, Winhall; F. A. Rush, Land
grove; II. P. Thomas, Proctorsville; Mr..
lien Snringfield.