Putnam patriot., 1930-10-16
PONFRET MEETING
 FOR BETTER ROADS
Citizens Asked to Get Behind Project For Improved Dirt
 Highways
State Association Has Definite Pisns
 and Figures

The Connecticut Rural Roads As sociation is going forward with its campaign for the improvement Of dirt roads. Tn most of the towns in the state units have been perfected to support whatever measure in this direction may be proposed to the next session of the General As sembly. There will be meeting of the Pomfret Dirt Roads Association, which Is associated with the State Association. at the Town House in Pomfret. Tuesday. October 21, at s D. m. Everyone. whether a resident of Pomfret or not. who is interested in the improvement of the dirt roads in the rural sections. is invited to at tend and learn what is being done to bring about better conditions and to give their normal support, at least, to this important statewide movement. A representative of the State Association is expected to ad- dress the meeting
 It is anticipated that the State Association will have tentative concrete plan to offer and that a suitable bill will be prepared to sub init to the legislature. The associa- ton has been making thorough in- vestigation and survey and is prcpar cd with facts and figures. Some of the material collected is as follows:
 Up 10 the State
 First. the opinion is emphasized that the state should take care of the roads in the boroughs. 1t has been determined that most of the travel on these dirt roads is from outside the borough while those with in the borough have paid their full share of the automobile registration and the gasolene tax. It Is further the opinion that roads should be im- proved in accordance with need and traffic
 IL is estimated that there are 10,- GOO miles of unimproved road in the l69 towns of the state. The state now has $l,0OO,000 against which there Is no appropriation. it is es- timated that 5000. .000 year can be appropriated S30, ,000 a year for each town. S5.000 per mile is the estimated average cost of the roads. which means 1000 miles of improv- ed road each year. Carrying out these suggestions the job can be completed in ten years.
 Cost of Travel
 Tn determining the kind of high way it was decided that a hard oil surface road. good all the year around, should be constructed. Ii was determined that the average tax paid by rural road property owners is S125 year. It costs the rural property owner from two and one half to three cents per mile more to travel the unimproved roads than it does surfaced roads. The average mileage the rural property owner GOV CTS over unimproved road is from 5000 to i5.000 miles each year. Al the minimum of two and half cents for 5000 miles the property tax of SIPS Is equalled.
 The above figures are enlightning The opinions and suggestions are founded upon facts. Especially does the first opinion. that the state should take care of the roads in the boroughs." hold an appeal for all rural dwellers. If the attempt tc have the state take over the care oi the rural highways of the state is tt meet with success there must be substantial support from all of tho associated units in the towns of tho state. It is being urged that the citizens of Pomfret show their in. terest and evidence their moral sup, port in the project by attending the meeting. Tuesday evening. October 2I, at the Town House.