Citizens for Public Accountability and Responsible Development (CPARD)

Our friends on Seven Mile have alerted us to a danger we would like to pass along.  It seems the tree cutting is scaring or displacing deer from the hospital property.  In the last week these residents have actually stood out by Seven Mile on several occasions flagging motorists to warn them of the herd of deer crossing the road, standing in the road and trying to cross back.

We hope some simple steps will be taken to help with this issue such as putting up a deer crossing sign or thinning the herd if necessary.  These would be responsible steps to take to ensure the saftey of the community and the humane treatment of these animals.

I will keep it short for tonight. Tonight we were told that REIS is not cutting trees or making roads for equipment on contaminated land.

A young lady asked Supervisor Abbo how he knew REIS was not cutting trees on contaminated land at the Hospital Property.  After all, he did meet with them on Sunday.

His answer? (I will paraphrase as I do not have time to reference the recording)

Abbo: I took the (REIS) answer at face value.

He took the answer at face value?  He must not have asked exactly where the cutting was occuring so he could simply compare it to the contamination map… instead he took the answer at face value… From a developer that in the Township’s own words “DUPED” them on the annexation issue.

Apparently the Twp. did not think to contact Wayne County Dept. of Environment on this issue either from what I understood at the meeting tonight.  Seems like that should have been something they would know to do regarding erosion and possible contamination migration… but we are just lay people… what do we know?

Further, the discussion about the Twp. buying the land via Brownfield or any other way did not seem to go anywhere.  I suppose he could have soimply asked for their price so we would have an idea of where to start?

More to follow

Just received an anonymous photo that appears to show a fully loaded logging truck leaving the property.

Maybe they are just “cleaning” up from the first go round… maybe not.

If you have information please forward it to cpardinfo@gmail.com

I only have time to write a summary.  A detailed post will follow as time allows.

On 1/5 we were informed that the Township recieved a short memo that REIS would start “select cutting trees” on the property as soon as possible.

Many, many emails were transacted with the board and others to find out what this meant.  There are of course big concerns with this cutting even though I am told it is totally legal.

1. No site plan.  Without a site plan it is difficult for us to understand why REIS would start “select cutting” trees.  Basically, the only trees of real value seem to be on the two old growth “lots” that were to be preserved in the 2006 plan submitted by REIS.  These trees are irreplacable and up to 400 years old according to REIS if I recall the documentation correctly.

2. Contamination.  The site is highly contaminated.  Removing trees and driving heavy equipment on the land could easily spread the contamination and that contamination could run off to the wetlands donated to the Township and neighboring areas.  the REIS memo had nothgin in it relating to mitigating or monitoring this issue.  Many asked the Township on 1/8 to take samples from the surrounding areas for contamination so that we would have a baseline.  The Township did not say they would act on this request.  This is very odd since they are very concerned about some dirt, purchased from the county that was taken to Thayer’s Corner park and are demanding that dirt be tested for contamination.

3. The township has options to buy the wood lots via. the Brownfield the developer has requested and we IMPLORE them to look at options like this.

4. Lumber prices are basically at an all time low.. so if the developer is just doing this to raise money it seems odd to “buy high and sell low”.

On 1/9 a CPARD memeber saw full logging trucks exiting the property.  The cutting, to some extent, has started.  A flurry of emails and phone calls went out to the Township.  Mr. Snider seemed to do all he could to help with the issue.  Mrs. Hillebrand and Mr. Gans showed up at the site to witness what was occuring.  chief Werth even stopped by to see if there was anything he could do. Anther member started photographing the trucks.  The trees appear to be 150-200 years old and as far as we know could only have come from the old growth wood lots.  They may have come from elsewhere on the land but REIS has not said where trees of that age would come from publicly.

On 1/9 many, many people phoned and emailed the Township asking for the contamination testing, etc.

We did get “responses” but none saying “Yes, we will have that done ASAP”.  Instead, late in the day I got a one line email on behalf of Supervisor Abbo saying that he had arranged a meeting for 1/11 with the developer regarding the tree issue.  Only Mr. Abbo and two trustees could go or they would need to hold a special session.  It is my beliefe that more than those two trustees wanted to attend the meeting.  It is this kind of meeting that partially got us into this mess and I am curious as to why it could not include all trustes (after being properly noticed under the OMA).

We have not heard anything about the outcome of that meeting.

Photos of the logging trucks and more details to follow as time permits.