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Residents press council on septic, sewer connections and perceived delays; city outlines outreach and loan programs
Summary
Multiple residents raised long-running concerns about septic systems, alleged removed or incomplete work on Circle Drive, and sewer-connection costs. City officials described an earlier informational session, a TAP fee reduction, loan programs and group-pricing efforts to lower connection costs.
Several residents used the communications period at the Feb. 20 Southfield City Council meeting to press long-running concerns about septic systems, sewer connections and related costs. Council members and city staff responded with a summary of prior outreach and programs meant to address those concerns.
Speakers during communications included Myron Thomas, who asked the council to review signal timings near a newly under-construction 10 Mile project, and a series of Circle Drive area residents who raised complaints about sewer-line work and offers around easements. Stacy Jackson, president of the Beachwood Acres Homeowners Association, told the council she was concerned by a previous council meeting exchange and recounted residents’ belief that pipes had been staged for installation and later removed; she also asked whether homeowners had received the same offers for easements as other neighborhoods years earlier.
Residents described health and expense concerns tied to failing septic fields and basement backups. One speaker said about 700 properties could be affected and that replacement or connection costs could be substantial. Several speakers said earlier promises or projects left outstanding questions.
City officials responded with historical context and program details. The mayor and other staff said the city previously held an informational meeting at a neighborhood school for residents on septic or well systems, that the city had lowered the TAP connection fee to make tying in more affordable, and that the city established a 30% loan program to assist low-income residents with connection costs. The mayor said about 550 homeowners tied into city sewer following earlier outreach and that the city offered group-trench pricing to reduce per-resident trenching costs. City staff also said the city inspects sewer lines and noted some homeowner basement backups resulted from sump pumps being turned off or from power failures, not necessarily line failures.
Council members said they would follow up with residents through the legislative committee and with staff, and reminded homeowners that the building and code departments and loan programs can provide assistance for connection questions and costs. City officials reiterated they would continue to investigate specific claims of removed infrastructure and to provide information and next steps to residents who request it.
