Resident alleges repeated illegal dumping; township outlines enforcement and cleanup steps

At the Nov. 12 council meeting resident Ellen Coyote described repeated illegal dumping and brush being pushed into township woodland adjacent to her property, and said efforts to stop the activity have included direct confrontation and video documentation.

"I went down there to videotape his insanity," Coyote said, describing leaf-blowing into the woods, repeated dumping and a confrontation in which she said a neighbor came within inches of her face. She said she had provided photos and video to township staff and asked for stronger enforcement and a clear timeline for removal and cleanup.

Town staff and council members responded that the township is taking action. A public-works representative said crews have previously cleaned debris and will return; staff said they had obtained permission for access to the back of the parcel and will post signage stating that dumping is prohibited and citing the ordinance number. The zoning office and police department were copied on the resident's video evidence, staff said, and enforcement steps include additional site visits, signage and, if needed, removal of material by public works with follow-up billing or citation as allowed under township code.

Council members thanked the resident for bringing the matter to the town's attention and asked staff to communicate directly with her about next steps. Officials urged caution in confrontations between neighbors and reiterated that the township would coordinate public-works cleanup and enforcement as allowed by ordinance.

The township did not report a completed enforcement outcome during the meeting; officials said the work to clear the site and document violations is in progress and that staff will follow up with the resident.