Below are independent notes prepared by Oko Environmental, LLC from the fact-finding meeting. These notes are provided for public information and transparency and do not replace official records maintained by Springfield Charter Township.
Date: October 16, 2025
Attendees:
- Ric Davis, Township Supervisor
- Sean Miller, Township Clerk
- Kevin Sclesky, Township Trustee/Planning Commissioner
- Danielle Sink, Supervisor’s Assistant
- Kara Okonewski, Oko Environmental
- Chris Todd, Resident
- Amanda Gruzin, Resident
- Michael Darga, Giffels Webster
- Jill Bahm, Giffels Webster
- Julia Upfal, Giffels Webster, Township Planning Consultant
- Alyssa Wambold, Fishbeck Engineering
- Kyle Reidsma, Fishbeck Engineering
- Scott Sintkowski, Road Commission for Oakland County
- Reuben Maxbauer, Levy Representative
Key Points:
This summary highlights key discussion points but is not an exhaustive account of the interview. For full context, we recommend reviewing the township’s official summarized minutes or obtaining the meeting’s audio recording.
Reuben Maxbauer of the Edward C. Levy Company, the applicant for the proposed gravel mine on Ormond Road, was present for this township fact-finding meeting. This was a notable development in the process, as the applicant’s direct participation in township discussions of their own application had not occurred at prior fact-finding sessions. Notably, the township’s independent experts, geologist Mike Wilczynski and hydrogeologist Brian O’Mara, as well as special counsel Gerald Fischer, were not in attendance. The meeting included discussions between township officials, consultants, and representatives from the Road Commission for Oakland County regarding the mine’s proposed haul routes, traffic safety, and road classifications.
The primary takeaway from this meeting is that Ormond Road is not a Class A road and is not currently designed to accommodate gravel truck traffic associated with the proposed Levy/Burroughs mining operation. As stated by representatives from the Road Commission for Oakland County, “if class A traffic is going to be on the road, then the actual road must be brought up to class A standards.” The commission noted that the current design of Ormond Road would not safely support gravel trains or the volume of heavy trucks proposed, and that the only way for such traffic to operate would be for the road to be reworked and upgraded to Class A specifications. It was also noted that Levy has not yet filed the necessary paperwork with the Road Commission of Oakland County for a full assessment of the proposed haul route, which would provide a detailed evaluation of safety, load capacity, and potential road improvements required to accommodate such traffic.
A second key point was raised when Supervisor Ric Davis reiterated his earlier request that Reuben Maxbauer of Levy explore purchasing additional property on the northwest end of the mining site to construct a direct access route to Davisburg Road. As recorded in the meeting minutes, “Supervisor Davis stated when this application was first received, he asked Mr. Maxbauer to explore the north end of the property, purchasing more property, and utilizing that to build an entrance that can connect straight to Davisburg Road.” Davis emphasized that this alternative access has been part of discussions since the start of the application process. Maxbauer responded that “they haven’t found an easy route to do this, but they are open to this possibility.” Ric asked Levy to continue investigating this specific potential option as an alternative route Davisburg Road to avoid Ormond Road.
The proposed haul route discussed during the meeting remains Ormond Road north, west on Davisburg Road, and south on Milford Road to M-59. This route has not yet been formally submitted to the Road Commission, and township officials emphasized the need for coordination with both the commission and surrounding communities before any route is finalized. Discussion also covered the need for road bonding, review of sight lines on Ormond Road’s hill and curve, and potential improvements to the intersection of Ormond and Davisburg Roads.