50 BULLETIN 389^ V. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTUEE. 



•public service commission, appointed by the governor. The construction and main- 

 tenance of State highways is under the jurisdiction of the State highway board, of 

 which the State highway commissioner is secretary and executive officer. The State 

 highway commissioner may employ such engineering and other assistants as may be 

 necessary in the prosecution of State road work and in the performance of other duties 

 imposed by law upon his office. He is required to advise local road officials in all 

 road and bridge matters. 



State highways are divided into two classes: Primary and secondary, in the order 

 of their importance. The general route of these roads is established by the legislature, 

 which also makes specific appropriations for their improvement from the funds derived 

 from taxes. Primary roads are constructed and maintained by the State, while sec- 

 ondary roads are constructed by the State and maintained by the counties. 



Permanent highways are defined to mean improved public roads constructed 

 along a main line of travel, either beginning at some trade center or an extension of 

 an existing road beginning at some trade center. The individual owners of two- 

 thirds of the linear feet of land fronting on any public highway or section thereof may 

 petition the board of county commissioners for the improvement of the road. After 

 submission by the board of county commissioners of a resolution for the improvement 

 the State highway commissioner passes upon it, and the county engineer makes 

 surveys, plans, specifications, and estimates. Fifteen per cent of the cost of the 

 improvements, or as much more as may be stated in the petition of land owners, is 

 assessed against the land lying within not less than 660 feet and not more than 3 miles 

 on each side of the center line of the highway, which assessment may be discharged 

 in one payment, or in 10 annual ilastallments, and bonds issued in anticipation of 

 the payment. A State tax of 1 J mills on the dollar is levied, and the proceeds credited 

 to the permanent highway fund, which is used for the construction and maintenance 

 of permanent highways in the several counties in proportion to the amount of such 

 fund collected in each county. 



The boards of county commissioners of the several counties have general super- 

 vision over the roads in their respective counties. They divide the county, or any 

 part thereof, into suitable and convenient road districts, and appoint a road supervisor 

 for each district. Each county commissioner is ex officio road commissioner on the 

 several road districts in his commissioner district, and must see that all orders of the 

 board of county commissioners with reference to roads in his district are carried out. 

 The road supervisor, under the direction of the board of county commissioners, is 

 required to keep all roads and bridges of his district free from obstructions and in as 

 good repair as the available funds will permit. 



The county engineer is elected for a term of two years, and is required to be a com- 

 petent civil engineer and surveyor. He makes surveys and prepares plans, specifi- 

 cations and estimates of all roads ordered to be improved, and recommends to the 

 board of county commissioners road and bridge improvements to be made, together 

 with the estimated cost. 



On petition of the owners of two-thirds of the linear feet frontage on any county 

 road, the county board of commissioners may cause such road to be improved and 

 assess the cost on the lands especially benefited thereby. 



A State tax of 1 mill is levied annually, and the proceeds placed in the public 

 highway fund. Of the taxes so levied and collected, 7^ per cent are set aside an- 

 nually by the State treasurer to be used exclusively under the direction of the State 

 highway commissioner for the repair and maintenance of roads already established 

 and constructed. 



All net proceeds from the licensing and registration of motor vehicles are credited 

 to the permanent highway fund and distributed to the several counties in proportion 

 to the amounts paid by each into said fund, to be used for the maintenance and repair 

 of permanent highways. 



