Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Clifton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in water utilities
Brown water and Third River flooding
The infamous 'Gates of Hell' outfall was only 70% inspected and cleared. A proposal from American Water to finish the job is coming, part of a bigger push to fix flooding in Dutch Hill and other neighborhoods.
Water Bills for the Adult Opportunity Center and City Green
The Clifton Adult Opportunity Center, which serves developmentally disabled adults, wants the city to cover about $4,800 a year in water bills for its new building, as it does for older buildings on the campus. Council will take it up next meeting.
Post office HVAC and city-owned building costs
The city is spending up to $45,000 to cool the post office it owns — a building whose tenant pays $110,000 rent. Tabled pending answers; selling the building is now on the table.
Water quality and aging pipes
Residents pressed a PVWC commissioner about foamy tap water and nitrates, asking for testing at points throughout the city rather than only at the reservoir.
Discolored tap water
A resident brought a gallon of brown tap water from her home and demanded the city fix it, saying it ruins clothing and that her dogs cannot drink it. Councilman Kolodziej tied it to the loss of the city's direct seat on the Passaic Valley Water Commission and pushed for commissioners to attend council meetings.
Passaic Valley Water Commission infrastructure and Chittenden Road emergency
PVWC laid out a $900 million capital plan, lead-line replacements, and the ongoing Chittenden Road 51-inch main repair, plus discolored water problems in Clifton's dead-end streets. The council pushed for customer credits and better emergency notification.
City water color and infrastructure
A resident asked why tap water is discolored and when infrastructure will be fixed, saying people shouldn't have to buy bottled water. No direct answer appears in the minutes.
Boil water advisory and PVWC notification failures
Allwood and Richfield residents learned of a boil water advisory and overnight water shutoff through social media, not official channels. The city says PVWC failed to notify it; Sadrakula demanded PVWC appear at the next meeting.
2026 HUD-CD sanitary sewer lining
The city will advertise bids to line 4,600 feet of 8-inch sewer mains with HUD-CD funding — a maintenance project that helps prevent costly breaks.