The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-01-26

| The laws are Intended to secure
| the largest possible measure OF Co
| operation between the towns and the
State Highway Department. In main
tenance work the State advises the
towns as to best methods of doing the
work and may supplement the
| amounts raised by the town through
the administration of the automobile
fund, supervising the expenditure of
the funds toward which it contri-
butes. A town to receive its share
OF the money on mileage basis, must
maintain its roads satisfactorily to
the State. There is no law compel
ling the State Commissioner to pay
one penny of maintenance money to
any town unless the roads have been
kept up to satisfactory standard.
There are three other ways in
which the State aids in maintenance
as follows:
Resurfacing-
Under the present regulations of
the state Commissioner the State win
match any town in the expense of
necessary resurfacing on State roads
up to a total expenditure Of $1,000
in one year. Several towns in Ben
nington County take.Sryantage OF this
aid. All of aflFalpuld, sas there
is not town ifD6le County in which
resnrfacing is not needed on some
parts OF the State roads, In several
towns an expenditure OF $4,000 or
more IS needed for this purpose. To
have the advantage of State aid the
arrangements for the work must he
made in advance and the work be
done under the supervision Of the
state.
Patrol System
A town wishing to put in operation
the patrol system Of maintenance
makes application to the State Com.
missioner through its selectmen and
road commissioner. requesting the
State to take over for the season the
maintenance os a certain road, usually
6 to 10 miles In length, and Offering
TO turn over 70 the State certain
sum from its rpad funds toward the
cost. The least sum which the State
viii usually accept is the average
amount per mile which the town
raises by its road tax. For example.
II II is proposed 10 establish patrol
road S miles "a length and the town
tax raises S95s per mile for all its
roads. the state will REQUIRE q nay.
ment OF at least $500 by the town.
II the offer is accepted, he State Com
missioner appoints patrol man who
gives his entire time. or rs much OF
1t as may be needed TO the work.
the State maintaining the road for
the season and putting in as much
money as may be needed beyond the
amount supplied by the town. For
the season OF 1915 three towns in
Bennington County took advantage of
this aid Pownal, Shaftsbury, ana
Woodford. The results have been
satisfactory.
Al no time have the roads been al
lowed to suffer neglect. the constant
work OF the patrolman has resulted
in a noticeable building up and
smoothing OF the lroad surface, the
Improvement OF drainage and the wild
ening OF many narrow places. In ev-
cry case the State has pat in larger
of money than 1t received
from the town, thus more than doub-
ling the expenditure on the patroled
road over the average amount per
mile spent in town In order TO have
the patrol system it is not necessary
10 take any action in town meeting
as the selectmen and road commits
oioner have fun authority to act for
the town
Dust laying
The State will match the villages
in the expense of purchasing oil or
other materials for dust laying on
streets up to a total of $500
When it is recalled that every dollar (,
by the State for any form
of road maintenance comes from the /
automobile taxes it is evident that
the auto users have some right. The I
fund for 1914 amounted to !
about S140,000,00 or the equivalent !
of per cent. tax on the entire |
grand list of the state. For 1916 the |
fund will be larger.
Funds
The returns from the State tax Of
) per cent. and the money especially
voted in any town and matched by !
the State from the 100000 appropria. |
tion constitute q Joint fund to be ex-
pended under the direction of the
State Commissioner. The selectmen
and road commissioner are consulted
regarding the location of the work
and the plans. The foreman, or spe.
cial commissioner to take charge of
the work, is appointed by the State
Commissioner. Sometimes the road
commissioner is appointed. but usual
ly not as his time should properly ,
be given to the maintenance work
In planning the work the general
policy is to rebuild the worst spots
on the important roads first, cutting {
down the steepest grades, widening
the narrow places. Strengthening the
worst bends and draining or filling
the SWamDy locations The State may