The Press., 1908-09-30
(Communicated.)
Monsoon ROAD FAVORED FOR
STATE APPROPRIATION

CCOmmu0lCAI4O.)
Monsoon ROAD FAVORED FOR
STATE APPROPRIATION.
Editor of The Press In converse.
ton with citizens generally, living
along and on branch roads connecting
with the Monson Stafford highway,
the highest praise and grateful feel
ings are expressed that the road bed
on the hill north of the Country club
has been put into such satisfactory
condition. Not only the citizens, but
could they speak, am sure our best
of friends, the ever faithful horse.
would also whinny a loud exclamation
of praise. The severe mid summer
rains had made q hitherto very rough
road about UNDESIRABLE for travel OF
any sort. Now we have road bed
of far better material, reduced grade,
Strengthened road and no stones OF
boulders to jounce over. 1t is true
such work is expensive, but a high
way never ought to be allowed to re-
one had become. shortly before it's re-
pair. We have read with great in
terest the two brief articles in tt e
Press, one of August 90. the other
September 2. regarding the IN
speotion of our roads by State High
way Commissioners Mcdonald. aud the
statements regarding the Monson.
Somers and Ellington HIGHWAYS fer
permanent Improvement by d OF
state funds There probably is little
doubt that the highway most iravtlt d
is, as stated by The Press of August
26, the roadway from the Springs &c
Monson. While it is true t at the
state is expanding large sums on per
manent highway work, and that this
work must have directing head, vic
must decide just W hat roads should be
improved, how the work should be
done, etc yet we should not lose
sight of the fact that the cit zeLs OF
Stafford are a part of the state, that
Tire work done here is for our benefit.
hence it is but natural we should
want our best roads TO be those most
used. The writer has read with ar
sorbing interest the annual reports Of
the state highway commissioner ant
realizes the importance in certain
cases of the so called trunk roads
When much heavy teaming or loa6
use is acquired between two vil'ag s
such as. say. between the Springs {
it's railwa, facilities and the H. II "
and it's mills. bur NJ transportation
facilities, a g cd ma adam road is 6
business necessity When. however
one of the most travelled roads in 9
township is GRO ked, uneven. OF pco1
grade, rough and stony, as certain
parts of the Monson road are, and
where tie town road crew twice each
year have to do more or less work,
believe such q road she uld have pre-.
ference for state aid improvement ov 81
some trunk line completion, especial.
ly when the latter 10 largely through
the woods, while the former is popu.
lated nearly its entire length by farm
ers or small land owners and home
makers. Il is for this reason that the
writer, as q citizen, does not favor
the immediate renovation of the Som
ers road, which The Press of Sept
says Commissioner Mcdonald probably
favors for state work. The road to
Monson is inhabited practically its
entire length by citizens who either
till the soil, work in mills or at the
large ice plant at State Line pond.
There is but comparatively little un-
cultivated land its entire length in
Stafford. There are several branch
ing roads, each Of very considerable
travel. This highway is the direct
feeder to Orouttville, very prosper
Gus. growing community among us.
Neither should the fact be overlooked
that this is the only road to one of
our railroad stations and picnic and
pleasure resorts. A well-made state
road toward Monson would Immediate
~ put an enhanced value on the prop
erty all along the line, thus benefiting
the town each year by increased taxes.
There are occasional level stretches
here where a horse can let himself
out for q trot, while q light roadster
may easily trot its entire length. It
would seem the above conditions were
sufficient reasons why the state should
put the Monsen road in the best con-
dition it's resources will allow. The
Somers road is q steady up grade, so
much so even q good roadster cannot
trot up the mountain side. The road
is largely through woods. There are
not more than q dozen or fifteen
houses along its length in Stafford
from the cemetery TO the Somers line.
1t cannot be made to pay for itself in
the least appreciable degree by in
creased assessments, as it is common
knowledge our timber lands are al
ready taxed far more than their just
share. This Somers road is no feeder
for side roads, and it has no very ex-
tensive business travel. The m ost
that can be said about either the
Somers or the Crystal Lake roads
mentioned in The Press of Sept p
Is that q macadam or state road would
be a great benefit to West Stafford
This community should not be denied
it's due consideration. Il would seem