Burning complaints, Reports heard at December Board of Trustees meeting

The Board of Trustees meets monthly

The Casco Township Board of Trustees' monthly meeting was dominated by public comment and discussion focused on putting the senior millage on the ballot, a topic treated in a separate news report.

Public comment also included complaints from several residents about open burning at 107 72nd St, locally known as the former deBest landscaping services.

Cheryl Overholser, 7169 103rd Ave, said commercial burning was taking place at 107 72nd St. Overholser said burning is supposed to occur during daylight hours only, but on December 5, a pile of rubbish started burning and burned unattended for a number of days. She also said the SHAES website prohibits burning that becomes offensive or contains contaminants. She said, "The odor at 5 a.m. on Dec 6 was atrocious."

A resident from 28 Blue Star Hwy noted a glow at 3 a.m. and observed sparks flying off the pile while the wind was blowing.

A local resident affirmed one's right to burn but it needs to be brush only and he witnessed building materials in the fire. He also said the piles need to be split into smaller piles and a screen should be used on burn barrels. This resident pointed out that he complies with zoning by paying for a dumpster for non-brush garbage and it is not fair that neighbors are open burning construction trash.

SHAES Chief Hinz said SHAES had extinguished a fire last Spring at the former deBest property and had made contact with the current owners a few times. SHAES Deputy Chief Keith Bierhalter had spoken with the proprietors two weeks prior.

Chief Hinz said letters had been dropped off two days earlier, on Saturday morning, regarding the obnoxious fires.

Supervisor Allan Overhiser noted the property is in a residential zone and the Township was looking into the matter from a zoning perspective.

In other public comment, Linda Teeter, 7374 North Shore Drive, announced that Casco Township will be hosting a National Night Out at Station 1, the SHAES station on 66th Street just south of 109th Ave. This national event will take place on Tuesday August 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. It features the opportunity to interact with Law enforcement, Fire, EMS, and participate in community activities.

The meeting included several reports:

Police: Deputy Hoyt reminded the public that he conducts property inspections. Residents can email him directly to request that, and a form is available on the Casco Township website. Also, report any suspicious activity to Deputy Hoyt at zhoyt@allegancounty.org.

SHAES: Chief Hinz reported 13 Fire and 21 EMS calls in Casco Township in November, with a total of 2,798 calls for SHAES overall, year to date, 215 ahead of last year at this time. Capital replacement and the budget were approved. In 2026, SHAES is adding 4 career positions. SHAES marks its 30th anniversary in 2026. 

Allegan County Commissioner: Brad Lubbers announced that the County passed the budget and will hold a budget policy meeting on January 8. The County will also hold a public hearing on the draft Parks and Recreation five year plan on January 8 at 10 a.m. The County intends to apply for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grand to rebuild stairs at West Side County Park. He anticipates this project will cost $1-2M.

The County is switching to a new reservation system, using Campspot.com. This will include options to reserve a pavilion. The County is also using remaining ARPA funds to contract with 123.net to add wifi to the park systems.

Supervisor Overhiser asked about internet coverage. Lubbers reported that 123.net is finishing its broadband installation work this month. The County is not 100% covered. Northern Lee Township and some parts of Clyde Township in and adjacent to the State Game area were to be served by Mercury Broadband, but it is anticipated that Mercury Broadband will abandon the contract despite being assessed a $1.5M fee to do so.

Resident Carol Rice asked Commissioner Lubbers who controls how many different internet vendors bring conduit down a street. Her street is served by multiple providers, each of whom have a different installation. Lubbers responded that in some places, 123.net has to pass by other fiber providers to reach certain customers it is contracted to service.

Dale Morgan asked if installers cut field tile in the county right of way, do they have an obligation to fix this after digging? Supervisor Overhiser responded that permits for this digging are issued by the Allegan County Road Commission and concerns should be directed to them.

Fennville District Library: Bob Sherwood announced that the parking lot expansion is complete and parking space has doubled. The project cost of $776,500 was covered by grant funds, a CD, the checking account, and a bond.  The Library Director is working with Ingram Content Group after book vendor Baker and Taylor collapsed. Ingram provides books at 10-20% discount.

Clerk: Rachel Ridley reported distributing emails regarding the senior millage, 4 for and 1 against, to the board, and also phone calls that are recorded in meeting correspondence. Ridley received approval to attend the 2026 Clerk’s institute put on by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.

Treasurer: Kenny Clevenger presented the fund balances and CD reports. He reminded residents that the "dump card" to use the transfer station for trash and recycling is mailed with the December tax bill. He acknowledged that the taxpayer doesn't see the card if the bill goes to the mortgage company.

A resident asked if the new assessments underway in the Township now are shown on the current bill. Supervisor Overhiser responded that reassessments are for the future, though some could be in effect this year. The reassessment process impacts State Equalized Value (SEV), not taxable value.  

Clevenger urged full time residents to check their bills and make sure the PRE (Principal Residence Exemption) shows 100%, and this can extend to empty lots that are contiguous or across the street from the principal residence.

Planning Commission: Trustee Dan Fleming said the Commission would review the draft Master Plan at their meeting on December 18.

Parks & Recreation: Trustee Mary Campbell reported that committee member Debbie Weaver presented a really interesting concept for restoring access to the beach and some engineering firms are reviewing it. The concept avoids digging into the bluff to create a path, instead using pilings to create a sloped walking deck. The committee will have more information in January. Campbell thanked Weaver for her work in trying to find a workable and cost efficient solution.

In questions from the public, a resident suggested using long screws to prevent people from breaking or removing fence pieces from the split rail fence. Another resident asked about putting a small campground at the Nature Preserve.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Campbell reported that a home in Eaton Park received a variance to enlarge a garage.

Senior Advisory Committee: Chair Linda Teeter reported that, according to the numbers for 2025, participation at both the Casco Senior Services site and SSVBC in South Haven continue to grow. November was impacted by weather, the holiday, and snow days. She thanked Treasurer Kenny Clevenger and Clerk Rachel Ridley for the newsletter coverage.

Short Term Rentals: Kathy Stanton is recovering from knee surgery. In her absence, Overhiser tried to contact Granicus to find out fees for services in 2026.

South Haven Area Water and Sewer Authority (SHAWSA): Supervisor Overhiser reported on an informational public meeting on water/sewer rates held on December 8. SHAWSA addressed why some residents are paying a higher rate than their neighbors, which can be impacted by differently sized meters, getting billed at a higher rate, and/or putting in fire suppression.

Old Business: The Board discussed amendments to the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance. An amendment to exempt non-commercial events for which there is no direct or non-direct payment for admission or a non-commercial event held as part of a use by right was passed.  

After discussion focused on the frequency of commercial events, the Board voted to allow up to 4 commercial outdoor gathering events annually, as part of a special use permit.

2026 meeting schedule: The Board voted to move the January meeting to Tuesday January 20 to avoid holding a meeting on Monday, January 19, which is the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Federal holiday.

Roads: The Board voted to put the road millage on the ballot as a renewal at 1.464 mills.

Board of Review: The Board discussed the possibility of putting the building department onto the BS&A software system. Currently the building department uses .NET. If the building department used BS&A, they would enter plans on BS&A and keep the plans electronically.  The Assessor would get permit approvals. All of the measurements would be available in the electronic record. This move would help the assessor but would entail an investment in HR to hire someone to do inputting and scanning. This cloud-based software also impacts the offices of Treasurer and Clerk. No determination was made.

Public comment:

Robert Sherwood thanked the board for supporting and allowing the public to vote on the senior millage issue. 

Dave Campbell expressed appreciation for the good process related to building inspections and assessing.

The January meeting of the Casco Township Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday January 20 at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.