Levy’s on Meeting Agenda for 1/8/26
Springfield Township has released its Township Board Meeting agenda for 1/8/26. Under new business, you’ll see:
“1. Burroughs Gravel Mine Application Review” [Click here to view the agenda]
Before attending the meeting, it would be good to review current information and updates regarding the Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) application Burroughs Material Corp. (BMC/Levy) submitted back in May 2025.
[Click here to view ‘Mining Proposal for Ormond Road: The Basics’ to learn more about this.]
As of January 7th, 2026, the SLUP application is still paused pending further review.
Township Supervisor, Ric Davis, responded promptly to public concerns and comments including hiring experienced attorney and MZEA Expert, Gerry Fischer, and then assembled a Fact-Finding Committee by end of summer 2025 to assist in reviewing the application, identifying deficiencies, investigating applicant’s materials, and conducting interviews to find independent, objective consultants versed across a wide-range of scientific and engineering disciplines. Davis also negotiated a $150,000 escrow to cover consulting fees.
Timeline of Critical Dates for Springfield Township:
- May 27, 2025 BMC/Levy presents Application for Special Land Use Permit at Planning Commission Meeting
- June 12, 2025 Gerry Fischer, Special Counsel, is officially engaged with Springfield Township for Levy/BMC SLUP Application Review
- July 2025 Supervisor Davis PAUSED the BMC/Levy SLUP Application pending independent expert reviews to assess any and all potential risks as outlined in MZEA
- July 10, 2025 Gerry Fischer performs public presentation about the legal aspects of reviewing a mining application
- August 26, 2025 Supervisor Davis provides ‘Plan of Direction for Review of Levy Application’ to Fact-Finding Committee
- Late Summer 2025 Township engaged mining experts & independent consultants Brian O’Mara, Agate Harbor, and Mike Wilczynski, Pangea Consulting.
- September 25, 2025 Supervisor Davis announces official Fact-Finding Committee (including resident members Kara Okonewski, Chris Todd, and Amanda Gruzin) and provides instructions to the Fact-Finding Committee including responsibilities and expectations of roles
- September 30, 2025 Expert Interview: Triterra Environmental
- October 1, 2025 Supervisor Davis negotiated $150,000 escrow to help cover independent consulting costs. Springfield Township Consulting & Cost Allocation Agreement signed by all parties.
- October 16, 2025 FFC: Traffic Study Review
- November 3, 2025 Trustee Sclesky announces Supervisor Davis will no longer attend Fact-Finding Committee Meetings. Davis will only manage expert interviews for independent consultants moving forward. Sclesky will oversee Fact-Finding Committee Meetings.
- November 3, 2025 FFC: Experts Mike Wilczynski & Brian O’Mara present to Fact-Finding Committee
- November 19, 2025 Expert Interview: Fleis and VenderBrink (Fveng) Consulting Firm
- November 19, 2025 Expert Interview: Atwell Consulting Firm
- November 21, 2025 Expert Interview: Ramboll Consulting Firm
- January 5, 2026 Supervisor Davis website update – announced additional environmental consulting firms (details to be released at Township Meeting January 8, 2026)
Supervisor Davis released this statement on January 5, 2026:
“As part of our responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability, and sound decision-making in township governance, I want to provide a detailed update on the progress we’ve made in securing independent environmental expertise for the review of the Levy Company’s application.
Over the past several weeks, we have carefully interviewed three well-regarded environmental consulting firms: Atwell, Ramboll, and Fleis & VandenBrink. Each of these firms was selected based on their qualifications and their complete lack of any connection to the Levy Company. Ensuring independence and neutrality has been a top priority from the start.
We have now received formal proposals from Ramboll and Fleis & VandenBrink. Atwell has also committed to submitting their proposal by the end of this week. All proposals are being carefully reviewed to ensure the chosen firm brings both the technical expertise and objectivity necessary to protect the long-term interests of our community.
I developed a comprehensive Scope of Work to guide this process and have worked closely with Township Counsel Greg Need and Special Counsel Gerry Fischer to ensure that our legal and procedural approach is both sound and defensible. Every step we are taking is being taken with the intention of protecting the township and preserving the integrity of the process.
To maintain full transparency, all progress on this matter including meeting minutes, proposals, and relevant documents is being posted to the Springfield Township website. This allows residents to follow the process in real time and ensures that the information shared is both complete and accurate.
This transparency is intentional. It is designed to reduce the spread of misinformation, particularly information that is false, misleading, or overly sensational, that can distract from the seriousness of the work and delay progress. We cannot afford to let misinformation interfere with the integrity of this process or the quality of the final outcome.
We must remember we are all in this together. We all live here. We all care about the future of our township. And we all share the same concerns. This review process will be thorough. Every question will be addressed. No concern will be overlooked.
Now more than ever, we need to move forward as one community. We are strong when we work together, not against each other. Our commitment is to serve the public interest with clarity, fairness, and respect and to ensure that every step taken reflects the voice and well-being of Springfield Township.
Thank you for your continued engagement and trust in this process.
With respect and commitment to service
Ric Davis”
As Springfield Township moves into the next phase of review, it’s important that residents understand where the process stands and how it arrived here. Thursday’s meeting is not a decision point, but part of an ongoing, methodical review of a complex application.
Staying informed, asking thoughtful questions, and engaging respectfully remain the most effective ways to participate.
