By GENA JOHNSON
Special to The Oakland Press

Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009                                                                                    

Richfield Equities LLC was awarded the West Bloomfield Township waste hauler contract despite township police warning against it.

WESTBLOOMFIELD TWP. – The West Bloomfield Township Board approved a new waste hauler — Richfield Equities LLC — even after the township police department advised the board to reject the company.

Police found Richfield had past fines for landfill violations and that the company had falsely represented themselves on another municipality’s application. Police also indicated that trucks to be used in West Bloomfield were registered in Ohio.

The letter from Ronald Cronin, township police chief, was read to the board March 31 in an afternoon special session meeting. The township board approved a contract with Richfield March 5, to take effect April 6. The board was not swayed by the police department’s advice to steer clear of Richfield.

“It did not raise any red flags for most of the board members,” said Michele Economou Ureste, township supervisor.

Richfield explained the police findings.

“Yes, we have had landfill issues in the past, but we have cleaned them up,” said Dan Garman, who works in sales at Richfield. According to Richfield, the trucks were rented from Ohio because the company needed 10 trucks quickly in order to do the job in West Bloomfield.

The company is purchasing $2.6 million worth of trucks from a company with a Lake Orion office.

According to police, if the trucks were involved in something problematic, it is more difficult to track out-of-state plates.

In addition, Richfield did not provide police with a list of its drivers’ names. Cronin said providing this information is a standard practice among past applicants. Police check the drivers’ criminal and driving records, as well as for any warrants.

Some board members discounted the police report because it was presented to the board after the contract was signed.

“I believe the recommendation was a personal opinion and did not have legal merit,” said Catherine Shaughnessy, township clerk.

According to the police chief ’s spokesperson, a police background check and investigation are standard in the vetting process for all vendors who want to do business with the township.

But one board member who asked not to give a name said it is the company’s responsibility to provide background checks on its drivers, not the township’s.

The issue may come up again, officials said.

“I may make an agenda item to make a motion to get criminal and background checks on drivers,” said Economou Ureste.