Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-02-24
Road Matters and Liabilities.

kdlt0r Oem0crGt:
read an article in last weeks Demo
crat from the pen of George R. Morton
on town taxes and roads. 1t was able
and candid. endorse the general pre-
sentation. do not believe In pressing
the citizens of the town at large to please
any one section unless necessity demands
it. The town is not called upon to put
in fancy roadway to please one section.
1t places too large burden on citizens
all over town. With the great burdens
now resting upon Us great economy
should be exercised.
In the article by Mr.. Morton all the
bearings were we'll and fairly presented.
/ feel 1t would be better for the town to
choose committee from the different
sections to examine the condition OF all
the roads in town, and to ascertain the
cost of gravel or broken stone and mac
adam construction. Then let the town
buy machines to do the work and see IL
we cannot get good roads all over town
at less expense than that fancy road for
few in South Paris.
l think Mr.. Mortons position sound
and safe. The roads all over town are
in bad condition. Much of 1t due to
neglect of the road officers. That some
thing should be done to better them is
clear, but ought we to open the gates In
one section to the neglect of othersP
The burden would be severe and 1t
would lead to distress. 1t would add
heavy liabilities and the town would
start on a downward road. 1t might
lead to the same position of town in
the eastern part of the state, which, a
few years ago, became 30 involved In
debt that no one would buy property or
invest in business. In short 80 much OF
the real estate had to be sold for taxes
that the town petitioned to the legisla-
ture for relief. That body refused assist
ance on the ground that 1t had no power
to do so and that it would be bad prece-
dent.
believe the safe way is to examine
the sure method for the town leading to
economy and safety. I detest and op.
pose the rule of calling special town
meetings for the purpose of raising some
particular fund that those who want 1t
do not dare to present at the regular an
nual meeting. There may be some ex-
treme conditions which would neces.
state special meeting, but the practice
of doing 1t as we have done In late years
is questionable and should be avoided.
1t ia not in accord with the power given
us. People living in distant parts Of the
town cannot we'll attend these meetings,
when called for late afternoon, and the
few living In centers slide in bills easily.
Believing with Mr.. Morton that some
improvements are necessary on bad
roads, let me suggest committee from
different parts of the town. There
should be at least three-ons from South
Paris, one from Paris Hill and one from
West Paris-or IL five should be thought
better one could be added from North
Paris and another from South Paris. II
this plan should not be acceptable why
not raise $1,000 to improve the road from
the Grand Trunk Railway, westerly, to
the Norway Branch, and make suoh re.
pairs as suggested by Mr.. Morton.
Having special meetings and fixing
sums to do work with comes out many
times as the. first sewer rally did, when
5000 was raised to put in q sewer from
Market Square to the river. The Board
Of Trade and those specially interested
got together and had experts on to deter
mine the cost of putting In the sewer pei
rod. They placed the cost at sixty cents
but no one would take 1t at that figure
1t was finally laid by Mr.. Walker at $1.25
per rod. So 1t may be with estimates or
a cement way. Great care should be
used and not let fancy lead US too far.
Let us exercise good care and judg
ment in placing burdens on the town
and thereby not increase taxation.
d. G.. BROWN.