September Board of Trustees highlights

The Casco Township Board of Trustees meetings on the third Monday of every month at 7:00 pm

The Casco Township Board of Trustees meeting of September 15, 2025 was dominated by committee reports. All five members of the board were present.

South Haven Area Emergency (SHAES): Captain Jim Quinn reported 24 medical calls and 14 fire calls in August, with 2,098 calls year to date (for the entire SHAES region). The Labor Day pancake breakfast served 562 meals and raised $6,541. New grass trucks are ready for service.

Clerk Rachel Ridley: There will be an election on November 4, with Lake Michigan College having two proposals on the ballot. Clerk Ridley recently returned from a two day training conducted by the Bureau of Elections in Lansing.

Treasurer Kenny Clevenger:

General Fund $1.65M

Road Fund $ 804k

Fire Fund $177k

Police $100k

Parks/Rec $295k

Cemetery $ 99k

Seniors $ 84k

Coll. Tax $1.9M

It was noted that the Fire Fund report did not show another $200k in CDs.

Planning Commission: Trustee Dan Fleming reported on the most recent special meeting with the Planner. The draft Master Plan has not yet been distributed to neighboring municipalities for feedback.

Parks and Recreation: Trustee Mary Campbell reported that Brian Ridley has done a great job on fence repairs and clean-up. In received correspondence, Kelly Hecker asked why wetlands have been mowed and the Committee will discuss this at their next meeting. Linda Teeter reported that she was present at the meeting and took notes. She asked the Parks and Recreation Committee to support a National Night Out in Casco Township and the committee is willing.

Discussion ensued about the status of the LRE study, which Campbell reported as being cancelled, though she did not know why. The committee is hoping to receive plans from three different firms to restore beach access; Debbie Weaver is developing this RFP. It was unclear the impact of the wetlands study on any proposed pathway to the beach, and drainage is the biggest issue.

It was noted that the Parks and Recreation committee has not generated meeting minutes in several months.

Supervisor Overhiser said the Stefan parcel (the south side of the Casco Township Nature Preserve) was a passive recreation site, and the Maple Grove side (the northern half of the Preserve) "could be developed as a recreational site." He reported that this was delineated through public hearings during acquisition and development of the two parcels that comprise the Nature Preserve. This may impact any decision about mowing.

Supervisor Overhiser said he would talk with Chair Andy Litts and Paul Macyauski about the status of the LRE study and the lack of minutes.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Trustee Campbell reported that a request for a variance to construct a storage building at 319 Blue Star Highway was granted.

Senior Advisory Committee: Chair Linda Teeter reported August activity numbers: 13 people participated in 143 activities at the Casco Township site; 215 people participated in 1,726 activities at the main Senior Services site in South Haven. Chair Teeter praised site coordinator Rhonda and the recently formed fitness team comprised of volunteers.

Treasurer Clevenger asked how Casco residents find out about Allegan County senior programs. Mary Campbell reported that the Allegan County Commission on Aging provides medical type services, and Jennifer Garcia is the director of the Allegan County Senior Services.

South Haven Area Water and Sewer Authority (SHAWSA): Supervisor Overhiser said the water tower in South Haven is nearing completion. The Palisades/Holtec project is on hold for a year due to funding constraints.

County Commissioner: Brad Lubbers announced the final tire collection for the year will be in Otsego on October 4. Two trailers were filled with tires at the Casco tire collection in August.

Confluence Hydro will purchase all 13 dams from Consumers Energy for $1 each.

Historically, the County has updated satellite maps every 5 years. The County would like to shift this schedule to 3 years to help equalization. The cost is $250-$300k and the county is seeking a 50% cost share with local municipalities.

Lubbers reported that celebrity Drew Barrymore recently visited Allegan County, making stops at Virtue Cider, Saugatuck State Park, and The Woods.

Noise Ordinance: Supervisor Overhiser reported that the committee met three times. Deputy Hoyt supports the new ordinance. The focus is keeping noise on one's own property. While "Disturbing the peace" is subjective, the intent is targeted to amplified music or noise. With a police ordinance as the Noise Ordinance is, no one is "grandfathered" in. The Board passed the ordinance by resolution as presented. The ordinance goes into effect thirty days after publication.

Outdoor Gathering Permit: amended text was distributed to the Board for review. Some matters to consider in amending the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance include establishing a maximum number of people; establishing different criteria for larger crowds; delineating between commercial and non-commercial ventures; and noting that this permit

does not expand any special use permit held by the petitioner.

In other discussion, Trustee Mary Campbell requested for a second time that a monthly report about Short Term Rentals be presented to the board. She also advocated for incentive pricing for STR registration and hoped this could be decided in time to be included in the December Casco Township newsletter. Supervisor Overhiser said he would talk with Paul Macyauski and Kathy Stanton of the Short Term Rental office about these matters.

Trustee Mary Campbell inquired if the Board conducted an "after action review" when big projects were completed. She thought reflecting on successes and weaknesses in process and decision making would be good practice.

In public comment, Linda Teeter gave a fuller history of the National Night Out program. She will discuss this with SHAES. It is scheduled for August 4, 2026 which is also the night of the primary. Teeter also asked if 7369 North Shore holds an outdoor gathering permit, as all events are outdoors. She clarified that Kelly Hecker's letter regarding mowing at the Nature Preserve was referred to the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee for response.

In public comment, Dave Campbell asked if the Township should review its response to the DayDreamer Domes report and include the Zoning Administrator in the process.

Supervisor Overhiser responded that zoning enforcement is complaint-driven. He felt the Daydreamer Domes matter had been thoroughly reviewed.

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