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Southfield residents report severe property damage after septic-to-sewer conversion; city promises follow-up
Summary
A Southfield senior described extensive property damage after a contractor began converting her failed septic system to city sewer service; city staff and public works officials said contractors failed to complete the work and the city is investigating and arranging remediation and follow-up with the resident.
Madeline Hobbs, a Southfield senior, told the City Council on April 20 that a contractor hired to connect her home to the city sewer after a septic failure left her property heavily damaged and the sewer work incomplete.
"I am here because I am a resident of Southfield. I'm a senior citizen. And I found that my septic tank had failed, and I needed to connect to the city's sewer," Hobbs said during the council's public communications period. She said the job began Feb. 6 and described a trench-filled worksite, broken porch steps, torn-up sidewalks and a Y‑stack left uncapped inside her basement that she temporarily taped.
The council heard similar concerns from other residents and speakers. Stacy Jackson, who identified herself as a Southfield resident and a board member of Motor City Fire, said the city's tap-in blueprints may be incorrect and asked the city to "Make this right. Find grant funding. And by all means, when you find a contractor who is not competent ... Remove these bad…
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