Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-07-24
Hot Retort From Major McClaue
On The Proposed Purchase Of
The Overlook Sewer system
The Major Calls Movement In Opposition .Pau Back
Revenge For Political Ends and Says The Whole
Thing Pulls The Progressive Spirit of The
Borough Back.
Editor of "The Palisadian"

Editor of "The Palisadian"
Dear Sir
NV attention has been called to the
attendance at the last Council meet
ing of the Cliffside Borough of num-
Der of Grantwood citizens who SEEM
ed possessed with the idea that the
proposed purchase by the Borough
of the Overlook sewer system for
the purpose of giving to the resi-
dents on Edgewater Heights on the
bluff from the Riverview avenue,
south, very much and badly needed
outlet for sewerage purposes, would
not be good policy, and as understand
their intention is to work industri-
ously for it's defeat. 1t seems strange
to me that any body of men should
go out of their way to encompass its
defeat, when those who are vitality
interested and need this outlet SO
badly are willing to pay for it.
The section referred to has had
cesspools for sewerage matter for
over 80 years and it is so situated
way than either through the Over
look sewer system or down the Edge
water Hill. The latter route would
be very much more expensive than
would the purchase of the Overlook
Sewer at $4,000 which includes not
only the right of way to the river and
the system itself, but ground for
disposal plant when needed. And
when it is known that the borough
paid $500 for the ground upon
which to build it's disposal plant, the
price of $4,000 does not seem large.
Objection is also made, | understand,
to the thirty day clause in the agree
ment with the railroad company. This
clause is made with every one for
the same privilege. Leonia, under
stand, for its entire sewer system,
has made the same agreement and
challenge anyone to show me one
case after a sewer is once in opera
ton it can be stopped. True, under
the thirty day clause we can be
forced to shift the pipe to some
other part of the poperty; but
it would entail no very great ex
pense with the chances nil of its
ever being enforced. AS to cost, sup
pose, for instance, that the general
borough should be compelled to pay
as high as 40 per cent. of the pur-
chase price of $4,000 or $1,000 (Which
does not seem possible), according to
my figuring it would amount to lib
of l per cent, or about seventy
seven cents for $1,000 assessed valu-
alton. Surely it is so small that no
progressive property owner could
object to it's payment especially as
we know that every section OF the
borough that is improved materially
helps the whole. Another objection
by the opposers, understand, was
the condition of the sewer. The
sewer is in as good condition as the
Grantwood sewer, and like it, is being
used. If the DIRECTORS know of any
other and cheaper way by which the
section can be severed, l should be
very glad to learn of it; but that
ground has been gone over thorough
ly and we know of no better way.
If, as l have heard, the opposition
is based not upon the sewer question
so much, but because certain man,
who is one of the smallest stockhoid-
ers in the Overlook Company, has
made himself, we might say, disliked
because of his stand upon the high
school question, and the opposers IN
a spirit of revenge think by defeat
ing the proposition they will disap-
point the man in question. | will say
they are mistaken as far as | am able
to judge; they would please him very
much if they defeated the PROPOSE
ton. | have also heard other rumors
to the effect that real estate COM
pany headed by a man of considerable
influence does not desire to see the
section of which l write improved for
the reason that it would become too
strong a competitor in the real estate
field. If these rumor are true, and
| do not say they are, it shows very
little manliness, is childish, unpro-
gressive, selfish, and with no spirit
of fair play to the section that de-
serves to receive that which it asks,
because it pays largely in taxes for
the upkeep of the borough; and l
trust if any property owners are ap-
preached for their signature to a
petition in opposition to the purchase
by the borough of the Overlook sewer
system that they will vigorously re-
fuse to sign; but to the contrary cast
their vote in it's favor on election day
in November.
Very truly yours,
S. Wood McClave.
July 16, 1915.