Northville Township Residents Unite Against Landfill Expansion
A Town Hall Meeting To Discuss The Future of Arbor Hills Landfill
In the charming community of Northville Township, a wave of concern is sweeping through the neighborhoods as residents and environmental advocates prepare for a critical town hall meeting. Scheduled for 7 p.m. on December 9 at the Northville Township office located at 44405 Six Mile, this gathering is all about rallying the community to oppose the proposed expansion plans at the Arbor Hills Landfill.
What’s at Stake?
As many may know, the Arbor Hills Landfill sits at the southwest corner of Six Mile and Napier roads in Salem Township, teetering near capacity. However, the landfill operators own property right across the road, prompting worries that they’re not just looking to expand the existing facility but are gearing up to build a *whole new landfill on the other side of Six Mile*. “They might say they want to expand the current landfill,” stated Dave Drinan, vice president of The Conservancy Initiative, the group spearheading the upcoming meeting. “But what it really means is we could see a *sister mountain of trash* rising up right next to the first.”
Environmental Concerns and Community Voices
The pushback comes against a backdrop of complaints from residents who have voiced their frustrations with the landfill’s operations, which have been marred by violations and even lawsuits over the past decade. Many locals have reported unpleasant odors, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has confirmed a number of violations linked to the landfill.
Leslie Evans, facilitator for Northville Township’s Landfill Working Group, reveals that the fight against the landfill has been ongoing for decades. “The Conservancy has been fighting this since the early 2000s when everybody kind of woke up and realized that this landfill was a mess,” she remarked. “We do not want this landfill to expand.” Notably, much of the waste finding its way to Arbor Hills originates from neighboring areas, including a considerable amount from Oakland County, and even waste from Canada and Ohio. Strikingly, Salem Township and Washtenaw County contribute very little to the landfill’s contents.
Proposed Solutions on the Table
Both Drinan and Evans have emphasized the importance of looking beyond just opposing the landfill’s expansion. They advocate for innovative alternatives like enhancing recycling and composting efforts to align with state goals. It’s a path they believe could significantly reduce waste volume while improving community sustainability.
Engaging the Public
As excitement builds for the town hall, meeting organizers are hopeful that this event will energize public participation and mobilize residents to take a stand. Attendees can expect informative speakers who will outline the approval process for landfills and lay out actionable plans to combat the landfill’s expansion proposal. State and local elected officials have also been invited to join the discussions, underscoring the seriousness of the community’s concerns.
A Call to Action
As Drinan aptly put it, “If the voice of the people is loud enough – maybe it’ll get heard.” The gathering is expected to not just inform but also empower residents to make their opinions known and take collective action. With the future of their environment and community at stake, Northville Township residents are ready to make their voices count.
