This Day in History: 1952-12-12

At a special meeting of the Fardale Community Association held at the George Washington School, a volunteer committee was formed tom undertake a petition campaign in the Fardale area. Signatures were sought on a request, that the legislature reject the request of West Mahwah citizens for a referendum to create a separate Borough Of West Mahwah. The committee planned also to seek signatures in Cragmere and Masonicus. The Faredale residents claimed, that the proposed Borough would contain most of the industrial ratebles in the township and leave the homeowners and small farmers of the rest of the area paying high taxes to support their roads, police and schools. They charged that the plan to create a West Mahwah Borough was in part designed as a base for the political ambition of Mike Martis. Martis had been scheduled to appear at the meeting to explain and defend the proposed separation, but he failed to appear at the last minute, reportedly on advice of his lawyer.(Bristow)