Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-19
EXPLAINS NEW ROAD LAWS
Back Roads Fund" of $4,000
Provided-Federal Aid, Too.
Ex-Governor Gates and Others Speak
At County Road Onicials' Luncheon
at vernoat-M0rning and
Afternoon Sessions.

CnltVenuen county Will snare IN the Spe-
cial ''back roads fund" Of $4,000 appropri-
ated by the State for unsolicited roads.
State Highway Commissioner Stoddard
b. Bates explained the provisions for the
expenditure Of the fund at the annual
meeting of the selectmen, town road COM
missioners. patrolmen, etc., Friday
morning. Mr.. Bates told a Free Press
man that no fixed rules concerning the
share which the State would pay have
been adopted. The State would not re-
fuse aid II town found itself unable to
make an appropriation for the purpose.
The fund is. however, to be spent on un-
selected roads only, and there are 1000
miles OF such roads In the State, II Is
estimated To be improved the road
must be described as to situation, needs.
etc.
About 100 were present at the morning
meeting. County Supervisor NJ K. Car
penter at the close of the session said
agreements for the first improvements OF
selected roads in eight or nine towns of
the county already have been reached.
but the improvements to be made have
not definitely been decided upon. At the
close Of the meeting James p. Taylor of
the Merchants association invited those
present to attend luncheon at the Hotel
Vermont. as In other years for three
years past.
During 1916. SO miles Of road were pa
trolled In Chittenden county at a cost of
$l3s mile. Mr.. Carpenter reported
total Of 86 miles Of selected roads to- be
improved. MIR. Bates said that 100 Of the
total number of existing selected roads
in the county should be patrolled this
year.
The method Of oiling the roads will be
the same as that Of 1916. The town must
pay at least one-half Of the cost. Similar
ly, the State will Eot change its policy
In regard to roads improved by the COM
missioner. Not more than SO mile as
a rule will be allowed. that is. SO will be
drawn back in every case where the COM
missioner pays so a mile. The law re-
garding bridge improvements and new
bridges has been amended somewhat.
The State will pay one-third or not more
than 500 on bridges on selected highways.
II the bridge in question has not more
than 30-foot span. Plans Of the engi-
neer doing the work must be followed.
and the total fund appropriated by the
State Is only $500 The money Is held
until August l. At the spring meeting OF
the commissioner with his county super
visors the appointments to be made
commissioner said 15-ton capacity bridge
was the standard favored in most in
stances. In answer to a question of Mr..
Carpenters he said he was inclined to
think incorporated villages shared in this
fund. but would put the question to the
attorney-general to be sure.
The high cost Of labor this year. and
the need Of paying State and town-em-
ployed labor the same was emphasized.
Mr.. Bates explained at length the duties
Of patrolmen. No patrolman should
cover more than seven miles as a rule.
And he should include in his duties such
items of work as opening culverts. re-
moving snow heaps that remained to I'M
dermine a road. the removal Of bushes at
dangerous curves, etc. Maintenance
means keeping road good" declared
the speaker. He hoped that patrolmen
would cooperate so that no seams would
appear where the limits Of two sections
met During 1916 II his memory was
right. 73o miles were patrolled in the
State at a cost Of $4,000 Through roads
should be patrolled first Of ALL even
though the amount Of money spent IN any
one section was less on that account. A
little over 10000 was spent in the State
in 1916 for resurfacing. He emphasized
the need of immediate attention. to
newly built roads, which should be look
ed after carefully he said during the first
three months after their completion. In
resurfacing better results are attained. in
his opinion. by regravelling twice and
spreading material thin, than twice with
double the thickness. The State pays
two-thirds on roads already improved. or
a little more II absolutely necessary.
LUNCHEON AT VERMONT.
With speeches by Ex-Governor Gates.
Highway Commissioner Bates. County
Supervisor Carpenter. w. N. Cady. mas
ter Of the State grange and highway su-
pervisor Of Addison county. and State En-
gineer H. M. Mcintosh. the luncheon at
the Hotel Vermont was a get-together
affair Of more than county significance.
1t Is reported elsewhere.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session. which opened
about two o'clock. following the luncheon.
was occupied again with the address Of
Mr.. Bates and questions by town oficials.
He advised selectmen to get copies OF the
new law regarding the passage Of trac-
tors, etc. over roads. Owners or opera
tors of such heavy vehicles have to get
permission first to use a road. Federal
aid this year. another matter mentioned
by the commissioner. will amount to SIS.
6SS.94 says Mr. Carpenter. 1t is neces-
sary for the State to submit its plans for
road improvement. which the government
must approve before any money can be
granted.
The meeting lasted for nearly two
hours.