Collections Item Detail
Letter from Mayor Peter McGavisk, Hoboken, to City Council, Jan. 13, 1874, re taking action to find methods and costs of Meadows drainage.
2012.004.0083
2012.004
Found in collection
Found in Collection
Museum Collections.
1874 - 1874
Date(s) Created: 1874 Date(s): 1874
Notes: Archives 2012.004.0083 ==== Mayor's Office Hoboken, January 13 74 [1874] To the Council of the City of Hoboken Gentlemen During the late rain storm I availed myself of the opportunity then presented to witness its effect and influence on the Meadows. I found the greater portion of them completely submerged, they were then and are now in a most deplorable condition, caused chiefly by the immense overflow from the Hill which swept across First Street with force sufficient to wash away a portion of the side walk on the opposite side of the Street. At the same time it immediately occurred to me that in my first communication to your Honorable body I made a suggestion relative to the overflow from the Hill, to which I would be pleased to have you now refer, I will now repeat a portion of what I said at that time to the effect that it seems to me that there exists no right to justify the City of Jersey City in constructiong Sewers in such a manner as to empty them upon our lands. While we are willing to respect and acknowledge the right of neighboring cities, yet it would seem that the City of Hoboken had not rights that the City of Jersey City were bound to consider or respect. I trust that your Honorable body will give the subject due consideration and attention. Some legislation may perhaps be necessary to fully accomplish the object and obtain the desired relief, Althought it seems reasonable to assume that it would be in the interest of both cities to have the matter speedily and amicably adjusted. In connection herewith, I would further call your attention to the necessity of obtaining and arriving at a proper conclusion relative to our Meadow drainage. It would seem to me advisable for interested parties to take such action as would bring about the introduction of an intelligible bill showing what is feasible to be done and how much it would cost to do it, the cost of obtaining the desired information would not amount to much. Any Competent Engineer could impart the necessary information. Therefore there is no need to remain ignorant as to the best made necessary to adopted to accomplish the above object. I would therefore recommend such action as will bring the matter to the notice of every citizen, but more especially to the notice of property owners and residents of the Meadows. Yours respectfully, Peter McGavisk, Mayor ==== ==== Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2012-12-06