Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-30
Highway Situation
Continues from Page 10Y

total expenditure was approximately
5000 Of which the cities and towns
paid a little less than $4,000 and the
State paid the balance. The States
funds for this purpose are derived from
automobile registration fees During
the last five years s1.s77.oo0 has been ex-
pended for maintenance work.
In 1915 the Legislature submitted for
the vote of the people a general law
providing State and county aid for
bridges, which was designed to take
the place of special resolves for BRIDGES.
This law was accepted by a large ma
jority of the voters. Under this pro-
vision the municipal officers Of any city
or town may apply at any time to the
county commissioners of the county and
the State Highway Commission for
State and county aid in the reconstruct
ton of a bridge On any main thorough
fare, when the cost of the bridge makes
certain tax rate against the town
This law has worked we'll, and during
the last two years some 50 bridges have
been reconstructed in permanent
manner. The Legislature of 1919 amend
ed the law. upon the suggestion of the
Highway Commission. so as to place a
less financial burden upon towns with
expensive bridges to build. The State
appropriates 100000 per year for this
purpose. which during the last two
years furnished the possibility of BULL
ing $4,000 worth of permanent bridges
each year. AS the State is now paying
a larger proportion of the cost and has
only the same appropriation it will
probably mean the construction of
about 100000 worth of permanent
bridges each year.
In 1917 the funds for State highways
resulting from the bond issue were ex-
hausted and the Legislature provided
for the work to be carried on by the
levying of tax of one mill on every
dollar of taxable value in the State.
This resulted in fund of s52 900 in 1917
and 1918. of which 100000 was imme-
diately added to the States appropria-
ton for State aid highways, thereby en-
abling tn. State to make the amount
of Safe aid payable to any city or town
one-third larger than it had been before
without requiring any additional ap-
preparation by the city or town.
At the same time provision was made
for an equalization fund of $4,000 to be
handled by the Highway Commission
largely as the bridge appropriation is
handled. that is to say. upon petition of
municipal officers at any time for the
purpose of relieving towns with Excess
sive highway burdens. This was de-
signed to do away with special resolves
by the Legislature for road work. but
as this money was to be taken from the
fund for state aid and the requirements
for State aid during 1918 were in excess
of the total appropriation. including the
$5o. 900. no appointments were made
from the equalization fund.
The Legislature of 1919 abolished the
equalization fund and returned to the
system Of special resolves. and in order
rot to increase the State tax beyond
certain amount, decided it was wise to
take from the mill fund for State high
ways about $4,000 for the year 1913
and an equal amount for the year
1917. In consequence State highway
work the present. season is limited to
the completion Of contracts outstanding
at the end OF the year 1918, but some 100
or more special road and bridge Jobs
will be done under special resolves for
1919 and 1890 These are.\ in most cases,
located outside Of the system of State
and State aid highways.
a summary Of the work Of the High.
way Commission during the last six
years shows that aitogsthsr the com.