The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-05-29
SEWERS NEEDED.
Commissioner Feeney Shows
the Board Of Health a
Disease Breeding
Spot.
A MENACE TO THE PUBLIC
Schemes of Relief Suggested, But
New Drains Only Will Give
Permanent Relief.

When the Police Commissioners met at
the Board of Health yesterday afternoon
Commissions Feeney secured the passage
of Il resolution requesting the Board of
Finance to appropriate the 0,G00 asked
for by the Street aud Water Commission
ers for the reconstruction and building
of proper sewers at the head of Fifth,
Sixth. Seventh. Eight. Ninth and Tenth
streets.
Commissioner Feeney is working with
several Citizens Associations and indi-
V.duai roperty owners who demand that
some relief be given them. The condition
Of the sewers in the locality is beyond
the stage of depreciating property values
and is rapidly becoming a menace to the
public health.
Draining considerable of the hill lying
north of Newark avenue is an iron pipe
sewer. That sewer terminates abruptly
at the head of Seventh street in the marsh
lands. To that sewer is attached a sluice
gate, which is open almost constantly.
AS q consequence the sewage from the
hill is deposited in an unhealthy manner
on the meadow lands and allowed to re-
main there and ~stagnate. AT the head
of Ninth street the condition is most
alarming. The sewage lies there on the
meadows to the depth of several feet fes-
tering. This condition of affairs is not
only destroying any usefulness the pro-
perty might have, but it is rapidly driv-
ing people away.
As a remedy Commissioner Feeney sug-
gests that the sewers of the streets men
where they will be able to drain many of
the lots The sewers in nearly all the
streets north of Newark avenue are small
and are already ~overtaxed. This is appar-
6Gt because thew refuse TO CarrVROfT the
sewage of those streets. This can be rem
edied it is believed by connecting the lat
eral sewers with the main sewers of
Ninth street and Pavonia avenue. Commits
sioner Feeney called attention to- the fact
that a New York concern a few days ago
purchased a factory right at the head of
Ninth street. He also said that a stove
factory was to be located on the meadow
lands. In view of these facts he said it
was the duty to drain the meadow lands
and do everything possible to assist in
their development in order that employ
ers. He charged that the northern section
of the city was neglected and urged upon
the Board the necessity of having money
appropriated at once for the building of
a pro3er and efficient drainage system.
The Commissioner also called attention
TO the fact that he and Health Inspector
sage ofrthe act which allowed the filing
in of Mill Creek, thus removing from the
very heart of the city one of the great
est disease centres imaginable. Having
afforded people in that locality relief he
now asks their cooperation in the move
ment to have the northern end of the city
put in a condition of healthfulness.
In connection with the Mill Creek sew
er, inspector Benjamin declared that it
does improve the condition of affairs. south
OF Montgomery street. The fault is that
south of Montgomery street no provision
was made for the draining of the meadow
lands. The sewer has been laid and the
creek filled in and it is now a practical
lmposssbLity to make connections with ii.
TO remedy. the existing evil the inspector
suggests that a box drain be laid from
the centre of the meadows near the power
mouse OF the Traction Company across the
meadows, finally connecting with the
Grand street sewer. He believes such a
sewer will drain the lots temporarily, and
at least prevent the stagnation Of the
water that now collects there.
Commissioner Abernethy called atten-
tlon to the, deplorable condition of affairs
at the head of Colgate street. He said #
IS a mystery to him how people live. sur
rounded as those people are with stagnant
wafer ana restoring sewage. He directed
inspeetor BENJAMIN to provide some sort
OF relief at once. It was nanimously
agreed by the Board to compel owners al
sunken lots to fill them in. If they refuse
lne work is to be done by the city and the
Gcst-.made a lien against the property.
me nealtn OF the city, the officials say,
sfoner Abernethy also spoke of the filthy
carnage boxes in Warren, Essex. Morris
and other streets down town. He said
Ntney are a dlsgrace and a menace to
PASSOVER West the Health Inspector was
directed to cause their removal. Superin-
tendent Fisher, of the West Shore Rail
road, has agreed to once again fill in the
avenue He says in future he will hold
the city responsible for all damage To the
property The trouble he charges is that
hne wafer from the Pennsylvania round