Highlights of February 17 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Julie Cowie
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
At the Regular February meeting of the Casco Township Board of Trustees, the following reports were presented:
Senior Services of Van Buren County (SSVB), Diane Rigozzi, Executive Director: In January, 12 unduplicated persons attended Casco-site senior programs, and 129 unduplicated persons attended programming at the SSVB main site. There were a total of 75 program activities attended in Casco, and 816 at the primary Senior Services-VB location. A total of 412 Casco residents have attended programs since SSVB started serving Casco residents.
Due to lack of interest, weekly lunches will be put on hold. A survey of Casco-site attendees showed positive regard for Krystal and Karla, the SSVB staffers who lead Casco site programs.
Allegan County Commissioner, Brad Lubbers: The County Commissioner meetings now take place at 9 a.m. (only), twice a month on Thursdays with two opportunities for public comment.
The Drain Commissioner is now located at the Dumont Lake Complex.
Allegan County Resource Recovery is holding Household Hazardous Waste and e-waste collection at the Fennville City Hall parking lot on June 14; Wayland on May 3; and Otsego on Oct 4.
Casco Township tire collection is August 16 at the Casco transfer station located at 123 69th St. (This is a county-wide event). Other tire events are on April 22 (Otsego), August 2 (Dorr), and August 26 (Otsego).
Parks & Recreation: Approval to hire LRE (Land & Resource Engineering) to conduct a wetlands survey to be completed in the Spring, for $2900. A grand opening of the Nature Preserve, to celebrate the completion of parking and restroom upgrades, is slated for June 29.
The Committee is meeting with the Allegan County Community Foundation to explore fundraising opportunities.
SHAWSA: New water tower under construction on Blue Star Highway is to support the extension of water/sewer to Covert and Palisades.
New Business:
New Age in South Haven will be hired to conduct required water sampling at the Nature Preserve prior to the restroom opening.
A bid of $14,500 from SW Michigan Dust Control was approved for dust layering. Casco has 27 miles of gravel roads. This summer, 68th St will be prepped and paved.
A driveway request from Kevin Stufflebeam, who is constructing a new home north of the First Street beach stairs, was denied following a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation committee to deny the request as it would complicate access to First Street beach stairs.
A sum of $2000 was budgeted to cover expenses related to garage and cemetery building clean-up.
A boundary line adjustment between Mr. Bloomfield and Mr. Case, residents of the Columbine subdivision, was approved to address drainage issues impacting a pie-shaped lot.
Two residents from the Adams and Pershing area requested to have their dirt roads paved and streetlights added.
In response, paving would be in concert with drainage. A different type of gravel could be helpful. Supervisor Overhiser will get a quote. The list of paving requests is long.
Streetlights are provided upon successful petitioning for a special assessment district (for streetlights) at a cost of approximately $2000 per light plus ongoing electricity.
Public Comment:
Julie Cowie asked if the Township has hired a new assessor. The previous assessor has been let go for lack of productivity. Kelly Jellison of Assessing Solutions has prepared the assessments and rectified many unaddressed assessing matters. The Supervisor is hopeful for an ongoing contract with Jellison's firm.
Cheri Brenner, former Clerk, thanked the Board for the sendoff she received at the November meeting following her three terms as Township Clerk. She expressed appreciation particularly to Supervisor Allan Overhiser for his help as she learned the Clerk's role, his general helpfulness in the Township, and was pleased that she won as a Democratic candidate.
Treasurer Kenny Clevenger was absent from this meeting.
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