VBT board meets in special session to join joint lawsuit against Republic

Van Buren Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara called a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Sept. 10 to consider joining a coalition of communities in a law suit against Republic Waste concerning bringing radioactive waste into its landfill for disposal.
After more than an hour in closed session with its attorney, the board came into open session and Supervisor McNamara read Resolution 2024-14 as a motion that was seconded by Trustee Sherry Frazier and passed by the full board.
McNamara said a core group made up of Canton, Romulus, Ypsilanti Township, and Sumpter, Belleville, and Van Buren have pledged to pay the cost of the lawsuit. He said some of those communities were having meetings to confirm participation.
“I don’t want radioactive waste in my community,” McNamara stated.
McNamara said he will go to Lansing in the morning to deliver the resolution and to speak on behalf of two bills on the issue being introduced by State Rep. Reggie Miller, D-Van Buren Township.
A member of the audience spoke during the Public Comment part of the meeting and he commended the board for passing the motion and said there is a a lot of waste separate from the radioactive waste that is probably more threatening. He asked McNamara to look into that, too, but McNamara was sticking with the radioactive waste.
McNamara said the state has done a good job in managing the landfill. He said the state’s current radioactive waste tipping fee is $10 a ton. He said in 2010 the township negotiated a $2.16 per ton fee on hazardous waste as a local tax.
Chris Donley, a township resident who is chairman of the Belleville Downtown Development Authority marketing committee, said the litigation is a step in the right direction and he will share information on the township’s move with all who will listen.
When McNamara asked if any of the board members wished to comment, Clerk Leon Wright said, “I think we’ve commented enough,” referring to the hour in discussion behind closed doors.
This is the resolution that was adopted:
RESOLUTION 2024- 14
Authoring the township to join intergovernmental litigation against Republic Services
WHEREAS, Wayne Disposal Inc. (WDI) located at 49350 North Interstate Service Drive in Van Buren Township is a commercial hazardous waste landfill owned by Republic Services; and
WHEREAS, WDI is designated to receive 6,000 cubic yards of soil and concrete and 4,000 gallons of groundwater contaminated with low-level radioactive waste for remediation from the Niagara Falls Storage Site in Lewiston, New York; and
WHEREAS, The hazardous waste landfill is located by numerous residential subdivisions and is in close proximity to a public school and the Van Buren Community Center; and
WHEREAS, The Township has in prior communications indicated to the owners and operators of WDI its strong opposition to the acceptance of radioactive materials; and
WHEREAS, The Van Buren Township Board of Trustees is primarily responsible for promoting the health, safety and welfare of its residents; and
WHEREAS, The Township continues to oppose the treatment, storage and disposal of radioactive waste materials at the WDI facility; and
BE IT RESOLVED, On this the 10th day of September, 2024 the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees approves authorization to enter into intergovernmental litigation against Republic Services with a coalition of local communities seeking injunctive relief from the acceptance of radioactive waste materials; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be distributed to Michigan Legislators and Governor Gretchen Whitmer seeking an immediate injunction by the State of Michigan for the acceptance of radioactive waste materials into the State until the conclusion of the legal process against Republic Services and the Township supports a permanent remedy from the State of Michigan and its Agencies for receiving radioactive waste materials.
Kevin McNamara, Supervisor
Sharry Budd,Treasurer
Leon Wright, Clerk
Kevin Martin, Trustee
Sherry Frazier, Trustee
Don Boynton Jr., Trustee
Bryon Kelley, Trustee