Casco Township Board of Trustees November meeting highlights

The Board meets monthly on the third Monday at 7pm

The Casco Township Board held its regular monthly meeting on Monday November 17 at 7:00 pm with all board members present: Supervisor Allan Overhiser, Clerk Rachel Ridley, Treasurer Kenny Clevenger, and Trustees Mary Campbell and Dan Fleming.

Diane Rigozzi, Executive Director of Senior Services of Van Buren County, addressed the Board of Trustees at the start of its November 17 monthly meeting. She announced that Linda Teeter, Chair of the Casco Township Senior Advisory Committee, was recognized by SSVBC as Casco Township's Volunteer of the Year.

Rigozzi also provided Casco Township resident participation statistics for Senior Services of Van Buren County:

Casco Senior participation	October 2025	Total
unduplicated @ Casco	10
unduplicated @ South Haven	208
Activities
Casco	150	1256
South Haven	1573	15174
Unduplicated Casco seniors	213
Activities totals	1723	16932

Director Rigozzi asked the Board to place a renewal millage for the senior program on the ballot for a May vote. She also requested that the millage have a 4 year term to align it with other communities. She clarified that the millage is for programs and services only, and does not provide capital funds for the building that is the main site of the agency (the former Village Market).

The Township Board will review millage language with the Township attorney and make a decision about placing it on the ballot at the December board meeting.

In new business, the Board approved Road committee recommendations for the following improvements to Township roads:

• Columbine, repaved from North Shore to Baseline

• Lake Ridge Rd, repaved from 74th to Blue Star Hwy

• Mitchell Court, repaved

• Macbeth Ave and all of Scotsonia (North Meadows) subdivision, repaved

• 62nd St from 102nd Ave southward to Baseline will be prepped in 2027 and paved in 2028.

• Lakeview in Miami Park will be slurry coated.

• The following roads will be chip sealed and fog coated:

• 66th Street from 109th northward to the Township line

• 107th Ave from Blue Star Hwy to the I-196 bridge

• 62nd St from 102nd to 109th

Other new business included approving a boundary line adjustment for parcels owned by Scott Wilson in Miami Park, and hiring Siegfried Crandall, the CPA firm that conducts the annual audit, to also provide monthly bank reconciliations remotely.

Reports:

Police: Deputy Hoyt reported an uptick in larcenies and car/deer accidents. A resident asked him to review graffiti on electric boxes in Sunset Shore subdivision.

SHAES:

• Chief Hinz reported 2,583 total calls YTD. In October, there were 25 EMS and 20 Fire calls in the Township including a fire that destroyed a barn at the Nora Drew farm on 109th.

• SHAES is hiring a part-time administrative assistant and several career hires (with Fire/EMS certifications).

• 942 students were educated during Fire Prevention Month (October)

Fennville District Library: Robert Sherwood reported that the blacktop is in and lines are done on the new parking lot. The lot will now have 38 parking places and 4 handicapped parking areas. A handrail along the steps and the front is still needed.

Clerk: Rachel Ridley presented the October 20 minutes for approval and requested a few budget amendments. She thanked workers for conducting a successful election in early November.

Treasurer: Kenny Clevenger reported on fund and CD balances.He was authorized to purchase a new computer for up to $800 as the current one won't support the new Windows update. He reminded residents that dump cards will be mailed with the Winter tax bills around December 1.

Planning Commission: Dan Fleming reported that the commissioners have received an updated draft of the master plan from the planners and have not heard anything from Daydreamer Domes.

Parks & Recreation: Mary Campbell reported that the committee received the first of what is hoped will be 3 proposals for a plan to restore access to the beach at the Nature Preserve. They discussed areas for plantings at Maple Grove. The committee is seeking a more creative solution for new trash cans at the site, as household refuse is being jammed into the trash cans at the Nature Preserve.

ZBA: A boundary line setback and garage addition at 920 Adams Rd was approved. The second application was postponed.

Casco Senior Advisory Committee: Linda Teeter invited anyone to join a Casco table at lunch on Thursdays at the South Haven Senior Center (SSVB) beginning at 11:30 a.m. Rhonda, the new site coordinator at the Casco Township Hall, is doing a good job and is well-liked. Input for Casco representation in a new mural being painted at the South Haven site was solicited.

Public comment:

Libby Catt asked that the entry to the south parking lot at the Township Hall be better marked with reflectors or more. There is a ditch to avoid.

Dave Campbell affirmed the decision to hire Siegfried Crandall to conduct the monthly reconciliation.

Linda Teeter announced that Casco Township will participate in the National Night Out program slated for Tuesday August 4, 2026. She is hoping the Casco Band will play. This event, which features fire and police safety, will be held at the SHAES station on 66th just south of 109th Avenue.

The Casco Township Board meets on the third Monday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.