Palisadian., 1923-05-25
LOWER INSURANCE RATES IN
CLIFFSIDE PARK PROBABLE BUT
WILL NOT Get RATING DESIRED
Investigation of Rating Bureau Discoses Some Interesting
Facts; % Recommendations Made in 1919; Some Not
Complied With

AS a result of an interview with
Mr.. Cadman, the engineer for the
New Jersey Schedule Rating Bureau
in Newark, our representative infers
that Cliffside Park is to receive new
rating soon which will mean lower
insurance rates, but it is not expect
ed the rate asked for (Class E) will
be granted, due to the fact that all of
the recommendations suggested by
the bureau have not been complied
with.
The borough was once rated as an
E town, but in 1919 an inspection
made by the bureau proved that it
was not entitled to this rating so
changed it to EE, which meant higher
insurance rates. They (the rating
bureau) made a total of twenty-five
recommendations that were neces-
sary to fulfill before the better rating
could be granted. and from time to
time made inspections, and in each in
stance found that the recommenda-
tions had not been fully carried out.
The latest inspection that took
place, following the Mayors request
several weeks ago, disclosed the fol
lowing: Recommendation numbers
to 4 had to do with water pressure,
and it was found only slight changes
had been made: number required
that the fire department be under
the control of the borough, and this
has been done; number required an
ordinance regulating the fire depart
ment-same. has been passed; num-
Der was in regard to the manner
of storing gasoline, oil, etc, in the
fire houses; the present method was
found unsatisfactory; number s stipu-
lated that at least ten men be. avail
able for fire duty during the daytime,
that is, be employed in the borough: :
investigation disclosed that over half
the personnel in each company are
employed in the borough; number 10
had to do with motor equipment of
apparatus; this was found to be not
complete; number II had to do with
reels; these have been done away
with, hence this point is O. X. num-
Der II related to the equipment of the
ladder truck, which, according to the
investigator, is incomplete; number
13 required that the hose and hydrant
threads be standard; this is O. K;
a., number IA requires that a duplicate
supply of hose (same amount as is
carried on apparatus) be kept in the
flre houses in reserve; this. accord
ing to the investigator, has not been
done; number IS requires that the
fire hose be tested at 200 pounds
pressure when first received and at
$50 pounds yearly; there are no rec
ords of such tests; number 16 is rela-
tive to washing and drying of hose;
this point O. X; number II requires
that apparatus hose be shifted every
thirty days and water run through
same every second month; investiga-
ton shows that hose is only touched
when used; number IS requires that
motor of engines and motor driven
apparatus be made to run twice daily;
this is done once daily in Company
No. 1 and in Company No. 2 weekly;
number 10 regards the holding of fire
drills; there is no record of drills un-
der the new chief since he took office
in January; number 20 requires fire
department records; there were no
records @availa BILE at the time of the
inspection; number 81 in regard to
building laws; present building code
of borough does not conform in many
points with the suggested building
code of the National Fire Underwrit-
ers' Association and the investigator
could obtain no knowledge of amend
ments. No. % requires the regulation
of the storage of explosives and in
fammables; the investigator reported
no ordinance covering this point.
Regardless of the fact that all the
recommendation have not been COM
piled with, Cliffside Park will be
given full credit for what has been
done, and beyond any measure of
doubt will receive new rating but
not the rating they ask for