Connecticut western news., 1911-05-11
Letters From the People
What About OiIing Streets

Editor News: Would it not be good idea to suggest as subject for the consideration of the Business Mems Association-"The Highways of our Town and ways and means for their improvement ?"
 The writer of this mmunication has long held the belief that good roads are one of the first requisites to any towns progress. North Canaan possesses several miles of State roads. This work was we'll done and the roads remained in fair condition for time, but, owing to the heavy summer auto travel to the "Berkshires" they are fast going to pieces and unless prompt preventative measures are taking our costly State roads will soon be badly damaged.
 Most encouraging results have been obtained in other towns by coating road surfaces with various preparations of tar asphalt and crude oil. Now most CaEaanites will, no doubt, admit, 1t holds the dust all right, but unfortun- aGely, it also seems to hold most of the water that falls on it. A slight shower last summer would cause our oiled streets to become slippery with oily mud for a week. The preparations mentioned above, information concerning which may be obtained from the Super1ntend- ent of oiled roads at the office of Commissioner Macdonald, do not possess this defect ill so marked a degree, but allow the water to run off into the gutters in comparatively short time. they also cement the surface of the road firmly together and besides improving it's wearing qualities, etfectually prevent the dust nuisance.
 If anything IS going to be done about "oiling" the streets in Canaan thls summer (aud 1t is high tlme,) would 1t not be well for our seIecGmen to inquire into the cost and merits Of some road binder other than oil? am under the impression that the State pays for at least part of such work, consequently the cost of replacing 1t three or four years hence will be many time the cost of applying a good surface binder now.
 To change the subject slightly, does anyone know when the state road work through East Canaan is to be resumed It was said last fall that this road would be rushed through to the Norfolk line as soon as the frost was out ot the ground and MT. Macdonald himself has stated that good roads are being built from Hartford to Winsted and from Winsted on through to Canaan. Where, pray tell? And especially the Canaan part oft.
 It is now we'll along in May and since the Honorable Highway Commissioner has won out in the recent squabble over his office, there would seem to be ho good reason why our State Road work cannot proceed. Nevertheless it Is reported that MT. John Van Deuson, our able road constructor, who has built all the Towns State Road and who will no doubt get the contract for the road to Norfolk, is at present engaged upon private road work at Twin Lakes which will occupy him most of the summer.
 Will MT. Mcdonald, MT. Van Deusen, or some one who "knows" please explain the "wherefore' of this delay in the construction of the Norfolk Canaan State Road?
 East Canaan and all the eastern part Of the Town wants that State Road and wants 1t bad. The auto and other traffic through East Canaan is as heavy as it IS in any part of the Town and, it is some what exasperating after waiting for it so long, to have this road work ap- parentlY abandoned on the outskirts of this village (East Canaan).
 Respectfully.
 East Canaan, May B. Kicker"