Norwich bulletin., 1922-08-30
STATE HIGHWAY COM. BENNETT
 ADDRESSED ASHFORD ASSN

State Highway Commissioner Charles ! Bennett addressed an outdoor meet Ing of the Ashford Welfare association Friday afternoon the 25th, at Buck $ Grove, near Westford Village He dis cussed the general policy Of the Connec- ticut highway department towards the remote towns and their local roads. Nearly goo persons were present, includ- Ing a number of town and county off, cials from Ashford. Chaplin, Eastford, Hampton, Mansfield, Stafford, Thompson. Union, Windham and Woodstock.
 Commissioner Bennett outlined the re- lation of the state to the trunk lines and the state-aid roads and the relation of these also to the local highways and crossroads. He made it clear that while, of course, the state could not provide funds for repairs or construction, of purely local highways, the state depart nnent and it's construction men were ready and willing to advise and coop crate with local officials as to the most sffecient and enduring methods of local road-building, and to cooperate in se- curing the proper machinery and mate- rials.
 The commissioner cordially invited To- cal officials to come to the offices of the vtate highway department at the capitol Tor conference and the development of cooperative plans. He indicated plain y that the state commission could not undertake to compose local differences of opinion as to cooperate with towns which would present united front as 70 what method was needed. Asked by an official from Woodstock as to when Connecticut would be ready to com plete it's portion of the trunk line from Woodstock to Southbridge. Mass, the commissioner promptly replied that Con- lectlcut was ready to complete it's part IS soon as Massachusetts was, and he suggested that the local people get to- sether.
 Many practical questions we're asked Of the commissioner by persons from diff terent towns, and several officials took opportunity to confer with him person ally after his address.
 There was also an address by Rev F. A. Coolidge, of Union, who proved a delightful speaker, in combined wit and wisdom He spoke with an intimate knowledge of farms and automobiles and highways, al well as of social conditions n rural communities, and suggested practical methods of cooperation with. n community and between neighbor- ing towns. He protested against the re port that he was "a retired minister, as he is active Tn community service and neither tired nor retired" He urg. sd that every citizen feel a personal re. sponsibility to help in community plans
 The Babcock Cornet band gave an ex. cellentf concert. and it was announced that next month the band will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of it's organiza- tion by a public festival. The celebra- lion will include a reunion of all former members of the band, and special pains will be taken to look up the oldest sur vivors and get them to attend Among :hese is Stephen B. Tifft. stili living, al he old Tifrt homestead in the north part ,f Ashford, and now aged over ninety Mr. Tifft was for many years an active actor in town affairs and taught district 'chools for nearly forty years. A popular subscription has been started on behalf # the celebration, and persons desiring 70 contribute thereto have heen asked