Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-10


tanned by the local read commissioners
under tire direct supervision and in
struetion of the State highway board,
and the State is to bear one half the
cost provided the work is done to the
satisfaction of the Highway Board
The right of eminent domain is given
the Board for taking of land and ma
tcrial for highway purposes. No State
money shall be expended in thicky
settled portions of towns or cities of
2500 or more population. The Board
determines such sections. The width
of wheel rims that can be used on i'm
proved State ROADS is to be deter
mined by the Board, but one years
notice must be given before the law
becomes operative The Board also
has power to regulate load and speed
of motor trucks on improved State
roads. Whenever the construction of
a State road in any town is undertake
en-, 1t shall be in Il section of not less
than one mile in length, provided such
length OF road lies in such town.
Whenever the town shall neglect to
maintain or improve State aid road,
the Board may make the necessary re-
pairs and the cost of the sa. ne shall
be assessed against the town. Work
must be begun for the permanent i'm
provement of roads on or before June
first of each year, or the town forfeits
the State aid. The names of such
towns as lose their State aid for any
reason, shall. he published in one news
paper at least in the county in which
they are located, nd the reason fer
that losing Of State aid given. The
services of an engineer shall be fur.
nished free by the State To any town
requiring them.
The bill contains an enabling act
whereby counties may vote money to
augment the amount received from the
State for the construction of roads in
the county. The money may be voted
by direct assessment on the property
of the county or by the issuance of
bonds. The county commissioners may
call for such vote in their county
and shall be obliged to, on petition of
five percent of the voters, in the coun-
Is taking the last gubernatoria vote
as a basis
All vehicles on wheels are to cafrY
al least one light one hour after sun
set until one hour before sunrise The
placing of turf in the travelled part of
the highways is prohibited. No adver-
Using signs shall be erected within five
hundred feet of crossings of ways or
intersection of roads
The highway board and the Govern
or and Council is constituted an equal
izing board to see that all money un-
der the bond issue is equitably expend-
ed in the several counties, and when
ever the amount called for under this
act by the different towns in the sew
eral counties exceeds such equitable
amount, the Board shall make such
pro rata reductions as will limit the
amount that can be equitably received
by the county.
The bill authorizes the issuance of
S2,00G000 worth of bonds on such time
and terms, not exceeding 30 Years. as
the Governor and Council may deter
mine, hypothecating the automobile IL
cense fees first. to pay interest OH the
bonds issues and second to redeem the
bonds as they annually mature But
not more than S500000 can be issued in
any one year
AT dangerous turns whenever the
bushes in the highway or on private
land, obstruct the view at sharp
turns CT approach to railroad cross
inSs, the Board shall cause their re-
moVal. The present office of State
highway commissioner is abolished
and the present law repealed, and all
existent contracts are to be taken over
by the new board.