Putnam patriot., 1916-10-20
ROAD DISPUTE
 SETTLED
SlecImen of Hampton and Brooklyn
 Agree with Complainanis
Matter Was Adjusted ia Middle of
 Highway

the selectmen of Brooklyn and the compliments regarding the condition of certain road lying partly in each town, came to sn understanding Mon- day afternoon and the complaint was withdrawn. The final adjustment was reached in the center of the highway in question not far from the home of Wendell H. Warden, Hampton, the chief complainant, about 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The selectmen of each town agree to pay expense of the pro. ceeding to the amount of Sl5.05 each, the Hampton officials agree to fix couple of culverts in addition to work already done and the Brooklyn select- men agree to cut the brush and take out .some boulders. In consideration of these promises complainants with drew their complaint.
 The adjustment was the outgrowth of a proceeding started some weeks ago which resulted in a hearing in the su- perlor court room In Putnam, Monday before Commissioners E. H. Corltis of Thompson and John A. Dady of Put nam. The hearing was called for on complaint of Wendell Il. Warden, William A. Weeks, ]. F. Hyde, Will liam P. Spalding, George E. Nichols, Hermon A. Allen, all Of Hampton, ,and Chester k. Child, head of the Child Lumber Company of Putnam, owning timber tracts from which lumber Is hauled over the highway in Hampton.
 The complainant set forth that the town of Hampton and the town of Brooklyn have neglected to keep in good and sufficient repair that portion of road connecting the Biglow road, so called, in the town of Hampton, ,and the Hartford turnpike road, so called, in the town Of Brooklyn, said road be- ing known as the Preston road. That the selectmen of said towns have failed, neglected and refused to make such alterations and improve ments in said road as Is required by common convenience and necessity. The selectmen Of the two towns were 1 summoned to appear to answer to the complaint, which was approved by Charles k. Searls, states attorney. The hearing was informally opened at Il o'clock in the court room. Besi des the two commissioners and the com ! plsinsnts there were present, Frank Phillips and Fred Fitts, selectmen of Hampton, Oliver F. Downs and Fred A. Card, selectmen of Brooklyn, Law yer Charles I.. Torrey, of Putnam, rep resenting the compiainants and Law yer E. l.. .Darby of Danielson, repre-. senting the selectmen.
 The gathering sat around the tables in the court room and talked the mat ter over. MT. Warden said that since the action had been commenced that | the Hampton selectmen had done con- siderable work on the road. He said | 1t had never been in as good condition as now and at this season of the year It is all right as 1t Is but that the im- provement Is not permanent. He said that to keep the road from washing out 1t should be graaed, for, at present, the road Is lower than the gutters In many places.
 Mr. Child asked If the gutiers had been opened up and Mir. Philips sad they had been.
 IL was stated shat the town ofBrook- lyn had done nothing to It's part but had posted notices that the road was to be discontinued.
 The commissioners said that they would not pass judgment until they had viewed the road. An adjournment WAS at first talked of but 1t was later decided to go at once to the place and look the ground over.
 At l2 o'clock four automobiles start ed for Hampton. The party number. ed seventeen including a PATRIOT rep resentative.
 When the turn was made off the main highway into the cross road in question 1t was at once apparent that work had been done. Large brush on both sides Of the roadway had been cut. These had overhung the road keeping out the sun and keeping the water from drying up. The gutters had been opened up, and, as stated by some of the party, the highway was in the best condition 1t had been in for a long time. It was still rough piece of road.
 The only house on the road is the home of Mir. Warden. A short way past his house the Brooklyn line was reached. It was not thought advisable to go much beyond this in autos so the machines were parked in vacant lot and the party proceeded about mile further on foot. The road was grass grown and showed little If any uss. The brush at either side was thick and overhung the travelled part of the high way.
 Upon returning to Mir. Warden's house a general discussion took place. Mir. Warden said that when he mov. ed to Hampton from Boston seven years ago he had to hise . teue ment in the village for . few mouths beealss
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