Township Trustees hear reports, discuss Nature Preserve issues at July meeting

The Casco Township Trustees meet monthly on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 pm

The Casco Township Board of Trustees covered a range of community issues during its regular meeting held on Monday July 20 at 7:00 pm.

South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) Captain Jim Quinn told the Board the department may be experiencing its busiest July ever. SHAES responded to 45 calls during the month, including 24 emergency medical calls and 21 fire calls. Year-to-date, the department has answered 1,593 calls.

Quinn said the addition of extended staffing has helped the department manage an increasing number of simultaneous emergencies. "It is rare to have a day without a double call," he said, noting crews sometimes handle three or even four incidents at the same time. "Extended staffing has maintained coverage for the community," he said.

Other SHAES report highlights:

• firefighters have logged nearly 600 hours staffing at Station 1

• the department's tower truck is out of service and requires significant repairs.

• the department's retirement system, the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS) reported the pension plan is now 74 percent funded, with projections showing it could reach 83 percent funding by 2030.

• the department completed joint water rescue training with South Haven lifeguards using rope rescue equipment and rescue boards.

• residents should use only approved chargers for lithium batteries after firefighters recently responded to a battery-related fire caused by an unapproved charger.

  
  

Allegan County Commissioner Brad Lubbers said Consumers Energy is still seeking to sell its 13 hydroelectric dams. The Michigan Public Service Commission has not yet ruled on the proposal, and a $270 million state dam safety fund would be available to the eventual buyer to address needed improvements.

Lubbers also encouraged support for the county's August senior services millage renewal, which funds programs including home-delivered meals, transportation, adult day care and personal emergency response systems (PERS); Lubbers said 961 residents have the PERS buttons at a cost of $30/month. He said the county is struggling to figure out the best way to communicate with seniors who need services.

He also highlighted a six-year .0925 millage renewal request for the Allegan Conservation District millage that will appear on the November ballot. The funding supports conservation education, invasive species management, assistance to farmers and homeowners, and related environmental programs.

Lubbers reported that according to a recently completed audit, the county remains in strong financial condition with a 24 percent general fund balance and its MERS pension system approximately 93 percent funded.

Clerk Rachel Ridley reported on election preparations. Approximately 200 absentee ballots have already been returned. She noted election workers recently completed training sessions hosted in Casco Township.

Early in-person voting will run through Aug. 2, with Aug. 3 at 4:30 p.m. serving as the final deadline to return absentee ballots to the Township office. Absentee ballots can also be turned in on the Primary election day, August 4, when polls are open at the Township Hall from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sample ballots are available for public review.

Treasurer Kenny Clevenger reported summer tax bills have been mailed and reminded residents taxes are due Sept. 14. Tax payments may be made by check, cash, credit card or through the Township drop box. Property owners can also access their tax bills online through the Allegan County website.

Township fund balances presented included:

• General Fund: $1,359,849

• Roads: $1,237,506

• Fire: $711,903

• Police: $129,730

• Parks: $188,294

• Cemetery: $93,647

• Senior Services: $66,931

• Tax Fund: $219,729

Dan Fleming reported that the Planning Commission continues ordinance work

addressing utility-scale solar, battery energy storage systems and data centers.

Commission members are also continuing discussions regarding minimum home square footage requirements.

Mary Campbell reported that the Parks and Recreation Committee continues updating the Township's five-year recreation plan and developing a new public survey. Recent vandalism at the Nature Preserve included damage to and theft at the restroom facilities. A video surveillance system is being pursued. A request for $3500 to fix and add new signage at the Nature Preserve was approved.

Mary Campbell also reported on a recent ZBA meeting for a parcel in Miami Park where variances were not granted. The applicants were urged to pursue expert help to manage the wetlands on their site, as the requested variance, to locate the proposed house 10' from two different roads, was not feasible.

Linda Teeter, Chair of the Casco Township Senior Advisory Committee, reported on Casco residents served by the Allegan County Senior Services program. She noted that recent data published by the County Administrator denote program statistics by municipality, revealing that:

• 47 unduplicated Casco residents received services

• 10 received transportation assistance

• 9 received in-home support services

• 7 received home-delivered meals through county programs

• No residents are currently enrolled in adult day services

Teeter also distributed statistics from Senior Services of Van Buren County:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	total
Undup @ Casco	12	13	9	13	12	13
Undup @ SH	124	158	152	177	202	231
Number of Activities
Casco	73	172	155	135	117	285	937
S. Haven	825	1311	1282	1470	1398	2014	8300
Total number Casco residents in SSVBC program							614

Teeter also reported that a Countywide Senior Resource Directory is currently being drafted for Casco Township seniors.

The Board accepted the resignation of Planning Commissioner Kelly Hecker and appointed John Kasishke of Miami Park to complete the remainder of the term. The draft Master Plan has not yet been approved for distribution due to some additional required fact-checking.

Trustees voted to retain Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman, & Koches P.C. to assist with zoning ordinance enforcement based on a recommendation from Township attorney Ron Bultje. Using this firm would supplement, not replace, the Township's existing legal counsel by handling zoning and blight cases that require prosecution in district court.

The Township will continue working voluntarily with property owners whenever possible before issuing citations that could ultimately be prosecuted in court.

The Board approved a boundary line adjustment requested by Mike and Julie Werkema for property along Blue Star Highway, contingent upon final administrative approval by the Township clerk.

Trustees approved the Township's annual $3,000 agreement with the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center, which provides residents with free assistance on a variety of civil legal matters.

The Board approved a Sept. 19 fundraising event at 726 Blue Star Highway benefiting the Alzheimer's Association. Organizer Philip Ryan, a music promoter, said the free acoustic concert featuring musicians associated with actor Jeff Daniels is expected to attract at the most, 250 attendees. Plans include portable restrooms and on-site security.

Trustees revisited concerns regarding the Township's noise ordinance following complaints about music at Daydreamer Domes. Supervisor Overhiser reported that Township Attorney Ron Bultje's view is that, while the Township ordinance prohibits unreasonable noise extending beyond property lines, enforcement requires meeting a legal standard of reasonableness. Based on observations, music from recent events could only be faintly heard after traffic noise subsided and did not rise to the level necessary to support enforcement under the ordinance.

The board was reminded of the upcoming National Night Out event scheduled for SHAES Station 1 on Tuesday August 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

All five members of the board were in attendance for this regular meeting: Supervisor Allan Overhiser, Clerk Rachel Ridley, Treasurer Kenny Clevenger, Trustee Dan Fleming, and Trustee Mary Campbell. The next regular meeting of the board is Monday August 17 at 7:00 pm at 7104 107th Avenue.