Connecticut western news., 1912-02-22
VOTE FOR GOOD ROADS
Town Rescinds Former Vote and May Apply For $IO,OOO.

The town of North Canaan has voted to rescind the vote passed two weeks ago, and to appropriate $10,000 for the construction of good roads-with certain restrictive conditions.
 The special town meeting last Satur- day was attended by about 150 voters intense interest was manifested, and at times the proceedings became more or less exciting.
 Town Clerk Allyn Fuller. called the meeting to order at 3 o'clock, and Wal hoe Canfield was chosen moderator. The call for the meeting was read and Edward S. Roberts said that in order to get the matter before the meeting and find out the sentiment of the gathering, he would move that the first article in the call be acted upon, and that the vote of the meeting of Feb. be recinded.
 Levi Bronson said such a motion would shut off all discussion. Maybe that is their intention" " he added.
 The chair assured him that the effect of the motion was to open up the entire question for discussion. t.
 J. Henry Roraback arose and argued at some length ill favor of resembling. The principal reason for rejecting state aid. he said, seemed to be that 1t was considered unwise for the town itself to engage in the work of construction. This is tho easiest objection to overcome, |, by reason of the privilege given of in- structing the selectmen and stipulating that the town itself shall take no more contracts He believes it good policy for any town to improve it's roads, and bad policy to reject the T5 per cent, which the state offers toward paying the cost The state tax which we have paid has gone toward paying for roads in other towns. Of the 168 towns in the state 152 have applied for state aid. We have some good roads in Canaan village, which have been paid for partially at the expense of the outlying districts. Our roads through Main street and to East Canaan and the Ashley Falls line are equal to any roads in the state or in any other state. We should capitalize our before North Canaan was one of the first towns to take advantage of state approp priatioli, and tho Bennett's Hill crossing improvement was one of the first pieces of work performed with state aid. It proved an expensive job for the town. but, after all, there isn't man ill the town who would vote to have tile old conditions there restored, The speaker said he conld remember when the main road through the village was simply trail through either sand or mud. Today we have a frst-class road there. It would be ouly far to rescind the former vote and take anoth- er chance under the state aid provision. This section of the state IS becoming more and more attractive to people from outside looking for country homes. There are dozen places within ten h, iles of Canaan which, within the last two years have been sold at prices dou- ble what they would have brought five or SIX years ago. These outsiders are attracted by good railroad facilities and tae fact that by reason of good roads, places located from one-half hour to one nour from the village are only 10 or 15 minutes distant by auto. But even our g od roads a1e not adequate. We sh uid have good roads to Canaan Valley, N W Marlboro and Falls Village. The farms in Cauaan Valley would be worth 4 , to 50 Der cent. more if that section were made accessible by good roads. The merchants app ,iate the fact that, New Marlboro trade now goes to Great Harrington because the roads between those towns are good, while the road from Canaan to New Marlboro is bad Good roads add to the value of every bit of property in the town. It would Le poor business judgment to reject the offer of State aid in the construction of our roads.
 Charles Adotte said he had all he could do to pay his taxes now; if he had to pay more he would be opligel to sell his property.
 MT. Bronson said it was a pretty picture MT. Roraback had held up to view. but the fact remains that the town has been heavily in debt for the last 40 years and the debt had never been re. ;,uced We have shown no ability to get out of debt, and this proposition sim ply means to let down the bars and say go ahead" We are now paying 15- mill tax, and this will mean that we will all have to pay IT mills. We are pay ing annually $3,oOO iu interest. Our state roads are going to pieces because they are not adequate for the wear and rear by automobiles. s"Who says that?" asked MT Rora- back, jumping to his feet.
 Experts from other states" replied