Pickleball plus regular reports at September 21 Trustee meeting
Casco Township trustees handled a wide-ranging agenda Sept. 21 that included regular updates as well as a query from the South Haven Pickleball Club about building a court complex on Township property.
Jim Slattery, representing the South Haven Pickleball Club, outlined the club's interest in building an 8-court complex on the Township Hall 40 acre site. The club would construct the complex at its own expense and it would be owned by Casco Township.
Trustees responded with openness and questions about the impact of this activity on regular Township Hall business. The club was asked to respond to concerns and sketch out the proposed location with a construction timeline. [See related story.]
Candidate for Allegan District Judge Tom Siver addressed the board about his campaign. He shared information about his law practice and discussed programs he would implement if elected.
South Haven Area Emergency Services Capt. Jim Quinn reported 45 calls in Casco Township, including 15 EMS and 30 fire calls. SHAES has responded to 2,270 calls year-to-date, compared with 2,146 at the same point last year. August 2026 was the department's busiest August on record.
The department's Labor Day pancake breakfast brought in $8,248, with net proceeds of $6,333. Quinn also reported that SHAES received a $6,000 grant for automated external defibrillators for its grass trucks.
Paid-on-call SHAES Lt. Tim Quinn has stepped down because he is moving from the area.
Allegan County Commissioner Brad Lubbers updated trustees on a proposed county budget reflecting a 7.3 percent increase associated with increased taxable value. His report focused on three areas: parks, elections, and transportation.
County parks are operating with a shortfall of roughly $120,000. Expenses include vehicles and installing Wi-Fi and security cameras at county parks; county officials have discussed a possible parks millage. The northernmost stairs at West Side County Park are expected to be replaced in coming months. The approximately $130,000 project will remove old steps and replace them with wider aluminum stairs with landings.
The Michigan Secretary of State has raised the possibility that municipalities will need updated election equipment. Lubbers said the state has transferred $20 million into a fund to help cover costs to purchase new tabulators, although it remains unclear how that money would be distributed. He cited an estimated cost of about $15,000 per precinct for the equipment.
Allegan County Transportation is facing an estimated $420,000 shortfall to maintain existing service levels as federal and state funding declines while ridership increases.
Lubbers also responded to questions about Flock license-plate-reading cameras being used in Allegan County. He said the Sheriff's Office indicated that the cameras have primarily been used in cases involving such situations as Amber Alerts and missing persons. He said the system is not connected to traffic enforcement and footage is retained for only 30 days.
Trustee Dan Fleming expressed concerns about the technology. In response to Lubbers' explanation about camera use by the Allegan County Sheriff, Fleming said, "there's a crisis, so people give up their freedom for security--and they never get it back."
Fennville District Library Director Teresa Kline received what Robert Sherwood, FDL board member, described as another strong annual evaluation. The library serves 14,496 people in Fennville and three surrounding townships and reported operating expenditures of $485,573. Sherwood said Kline received consistently strong marks in areas including relations with the board, community and professional activity, and financial management. .
Clerk Rachel Ridley reported that ballots have to be available to the public beginning September 24. Early voting runs from October 24 to November 1.
Treasurer Kenny Clevenger reported the following fund balances (rounded):
General Fund: $1.244M with a $200k cd;
Roads: $927k with a $200k cd;
Fire: $489k with a $200k cd;
Police: $111k;
Parks: $176k;
Cemetery: $93k;
Seniors: $67k;
Collected Tax account: $2.707M
The Casco Township Planning Commission did not meet in September because it lacked a quorum. The township's proposed Master Plan is in its 60-day review period, with a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.
Trustee Mary Campbell reported on a zoning matter in Eaton Park. Township attorney Ron Bultje had advised that property owners could seek a variance to allow construction on a 50-foot lot. The lot had also previously been used as a septic field for an existing home, and there was a separate discussion about whose responsibility it is to communicate this fact, and to whom. The variance was granted. Commissioner Lubbers clarified that it is the responsibility of the property owner or purchaser to provide property-specific information to the Allegan County Health Department.
Supervisor Overhiser asked Trustee Fleming to have section 3.28 of the township ordinance reviewed and clarified by the planning commission.
In news from the Parks and Recreation Committee, plans for "Leave No Trace" signage have been finalized. Installation of security cameras has been delayed. Township officials said repairs to Nature Preserve restrooms will wait until cameras are installed.
Trustees approved up to $3,150 for restroom repairs by W.K. Builders, including replacement of the existing programmable door-lock system with simpler mechanical coded locks.
The board also appointed Derek Getman to the Parks and Recreation Committee, replacing Don Kuick, who recently resigned.
Linda Teeter reported that completion of a senior resource directory was a major recent accomplishment of the Casco Senior Advisory Committee. The committee plans to meet quarterly and include the Senior Services of Van Buren County Casco site manager. The directory will be updated annually as additional resources are identified.
Teeter reported that 620 Casco residents are in the Senior Services of Van Buren County database, which means they have registered to use the facilities and programs.
Mary and Dave Campbell are leading a Memory Café at the South Haven Memorial Library, held from 1 to 2 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Senior movie events for people impacted by dementia are also offered on the second Wednesday of the month at the Michigan Theatre.
Trustees approved new gutters for the Township Hall. The quote for gutters around the building was $4,934, with another $400 for heat tape near the north employee entrance where ice has been a particular problem, bringing the authorized total to $5,334.
In public comment, resident Debbie Wilson requested that the Nature Preserve gates open earlier as it is light at 7:00 a.m. Supervisor Overhiser said this can be arranged; the gate is on an automatic timer and daylight savings time sometimes impacts the opening and closing schedule.
The Casco Township Board of Trustees meets on the third Monday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.
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