Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-03-01
be increased by reason of the old base no
being of sufficient thickness.

be increased by reason of the old base no
being of sufficient thickness.
A number of reinforced concrete bridges
; and cuverts were constructed by the coun-
ty force, Notwithstanding high cost OF
material, the cost compared with work
of similar character in former years was
little, If any, increased. This was obtained
by reason Of the added skillfulness of the
county force and some economies in design.
The larger bridges were renewals Of old
wooden bridges that had failed and were
dangerous.
New bridges are needed to replace bridge
over Muddy Branch at DuFief's, and over
Sligo on Colesville pike. this latter bridge
being unsafe for heavily loaded trucks
and traction engines substantial bridge
should be erected in its place the coming
season.
The condition of many iron bridges Is
bad. owing to lack of attention to scraping
and painting. They are deteriorating rap
idly from neglect and no further delay
should be permitted in doing all that is
possible to save them. For many years to
come the high cost of iron will make re-
newals extremely expensive.
must again bring to your attention the
expensive policy of not providing a well
organized force in the county for mainte-
nance work, both of stone and dirt roads.
| Our experience clearly shows the largely
increased cost of maintenance by permit
ting roads to wear out before any efficient
steps are taken to restore the wear and
deterioration. While the Road Superin-
tendent has no specific authority in the
premises, and consequently no RESPONSE
bility for these conditions, he has in and
out of season endeavored to have some
effective system adopted. and though from
time to time each Commissioner has in
dictated his individual acquiescence in the
desirability of a comprehensive plan sys-
| tematizing the work. the Board has never
| reached the point Of taking concrete action.
The present road law gives the Board
authority and charges them with the duty
of adopting whatever system In their judy
ment is deemed best. There should be a
greater concentration of authority and
direct responsibility to compel proper work
and accounting by supervisors. (See my
report 1914, 1915 and in 1915, In which
l recommended certain action tending
towards this). and strongly urge that
the Road Superintendent he empowered
and directed:
l. To organize a road maintenance force
and maintain all county macadam roads.
This force to be furnished with a one or
two-tOn truck and proper tools to 90 over
all macadam roads during the season,
making necessary repairs to macadam,
opening drains, repairing shoulders, &c.
Tar, chips and stone to be placed at such |
points most convenient to the work.
2. That competent man as district road |
supervisor be appointed in each district. |
whose duty 1t shall be to work all roads |
not covered by contract
3. All supervisors and contractors to |
work under such regulations as the Com |
missioners shall prescribe (See reeula-
tons recommended, Superintendent Re- |
port 1879.
4. These regulations TO require (a) a
notice when work is commenced. (b) when
completed, (c) time books to be kept by
supervisors and turned in to Road Super
intendent on first and fifteenth of each
month. (d) vouchers made up by him COW
ering such expense and presented to the
Board for approval, (e) where work is done
by contract, bills to be mailed to the local
Commissioner Immediately on completion,
showing location, detailed cost of super
vision, labor, teams, and material. and no bill
to be paid until work has been inspected
| and approved.
5. Supervisors to keep in repair all tools.
&C., and provide place for their storage
and repair
g. All material and supplies required by
supervisors to be ordered only through local
Commissioner who will have the clerk
make a record Of such orders.
! believe public sentiment would endorse
some such action of the Board. and what
ever delegation of individual authority
each Commissioner would be required to
make would be to the Board as a whole,
relieving them from local pressure and
concentrating direct supervision and con-
troll in the hands of your County Super
intendent. who could be held responsible
only If given such authority as the case
demands.
am the more urgent In pressing for
this action now that my term Of Office will |
soon expire. and there can be no thought |
Of any personal interest on my part. but |
solely for the public interest, which as
sure you has been my single aim during |
my incumbency Ofthe Office.