Romulus City residents complaint about VBT landfill expansion

Three residents spoke at the June 26 meeting of the Romulus City Council voicing their concerns about the expansion of the Waste Management landfill in Van Buren Township, across Hannan Road from their homes.
The golf course is being turned into an expansion of Woodland Meadows landfill and residents in Romulus worry about their property values and the air quality and wonder why no one told them about it before now.
A man who said he is a Westland property owner and bought two homes in The Commons subdivision, said 1,400 postcards were supposedly sent out from Waste Management for a June 8 public meeting by the county at the Van Buren Township Hall, but only 17 people came.
He said the nearby residents were not apprised of this big change that has been going on for 6-7 months and will affect everyone’s way of living — affecting property values and air quality and bringing the landfill down to Ecorse Road.
“Something is wrong,” he said.
A woman, one of the three Romulus residents who attended the meeting, said cards were sent out to Wayne, Canton, Romulus, and Van Buren Township.
Although more than 200 homes in Romulus are impacted by this expansion, no Romulus officials were there. She said one family said in the past they tried to sell their home on Hannan Road but their real estate agent said it couldn’t be sold because of Woodland Meadows. Now, the landfill is expanding.
“Why weren’t the residents of Romulus supported by the city council?” she asked, noting that she gave the postcard she received to someone at city hall.
She said there are more than 200 homes impacted, most in The Commons, and she lives a half-mile away.
“You want to take our money, but not support us when something big like that happens,” she concluded.
“I was with Jen at the meeting in Van Buren Township,” another woman stated. “It’s a done-deal now. Romulus wasn’t informed. I find that very disappointing. Our taxes go up. Jen gave the postcard to the city. Three of us were at the meeting and no city officials were there.”
“We couldn’t come if we didn’t know,” said a councilwoman.
Mayor LeRoy Burcroff asked about a card left at city hall that he did not see. He asked if it was a MDEQ forum.
Councilwoman Tina Talley said she was offended that the speakers suggested the council didn’t care.
“If people knew, there would have been representatives at the meeting,” she said.
Councilwoman Eva Webb said, “Residents have a right to ask questions and get answers… We’re not here to be deaf mutes. We did not receive any information on Waste Management and Woodland Meadows and thank you for coming and informing us.”
She referred to the council’s policy of letting the public speak and then having the mayor answer their questions at the end of the meeting.
“A resident comes up and we can’t answer them?” Councilwoman Webb said. “Whenever it changed, it has to be changed back.”
Mayor Burcroff said the rule was set by council, with him answering the questions under “Unfinished Business.”
Councilwoman Virginia Williams apologized for not knowing, so they all can become involved and be active. “Your office wasn’t notified, either,” she said to the mayor.
“I didn’t get that notice,” Mayor Burcroff said.
Councilwoman Williams said the rule of not speaking back to people is now a moot issue because, “We will answer.”
Councilwoman Kathleen Abdo said if something is happening on the Romulus border council members really need to know.
“I was offended,” said Councilwoman Talley. “I’m passionate about my city. … We’re not up here to lie. … I don’t mean to offend you.”