Trustees focus on Outdoor Gathering Ordinance, hear reports

The Casco Township Board meets monthly on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 pm

The Outdoor Gathering Ordinance received the most discussion at the October 20, 2025 Casco Township Board of Trustees meeting. The Outdoor Gathering Ordinance in in the process of being amended by the board and the Trustees were reviewing initial text amendments provided by the Township attorney.

"We want to get out of regulating high school graduation parties," Supervisor Allan Overhiser said. He reminded the board of this history of this ordinance, which was

developed ahead of a proposed Mud Run several years ago. A ticketed commercial event, the Township sought to ensure that the Mud Run would have sufficient security and sanitary infrastructure. Those concerns remain for outdoor gatherings, which are considered "extraordinary events that change the character of the neighborhood temporarily," as Overhiser put it.

While the Board had consensus over protecting "First Amendment" type gatherings, there was concern about the frequency of large outdoor gatherings in non-Ag areas. While candidate fundraisers and employee appreciation picnics seem acceptable to permit, the Board was reticent to remain silent on the frequency of such occurrences. The Board also wants to control, through a permitting process, large gatherings that involve remuneration, such as flea markets and fundraisers. The Township attorney will be requested to address these exemptions for further consideration by the Trustees.

In other activity, the Board heard several reports:

South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) with Johanna Quinn reporting:

• 17 fire calls and 21 EMS calls in September in Casco Township.

• YTD calls for SHAES total 2,380 compared to 2,181 for all of 2024.

• Jacob Enfante has been added to staff and 3 more recruits to be hired by end of 2026.

• Old Truck 6 was sold for $45k; grass trucks will now be plow trucks.

• Response times have improved in 4 years, with 71% of calls having a "wheels in motion under 90 seconds" in 2024 compared to 63% in 2020.

• Mutual aid calls have decreased from 9.5% to 5.8% as SHAES has expanded its capacity.

Police with Deputy Zach Hoyt reporting:

• Residents cautioned to watch abandoned houses for squatters or other activity

• Deputy Hoyt provides officer assists to Casco, Ganges, Clyde and Lee

• House checks and property checks are available by request via web form.

County Commissioner, Brad Lubbers reporting:

• New County maps have been printed

• The County budget has been approved, with a General Fund of $51M, increased 6.6% due to new construction.

• Special Revenue/Funds is $78M (seniors, roads, 9-1-1, etc.)

• County Parks operations received $150k for operations and $250k for infrastructure

• The County has received $7M for local road funding from the State. It is unclear how this will be spent by the Road Commission.

Fennville District Library, Robert Sherwood reporting:

• Casco Township resident and FDL board member Marilyn Jessup was elected President of the board.

• The parking lot is still under construction. The same contractor is also involved in the Fennville City Square project.

• A primary source of book acquisition, Baker & Taylor, has declared bankruptcy. It is unclear how the loss of this vendor will impact FDL's operations and budget.

The Fennville District Library parking lot is a major upgrade for the facility.

Clerk, Rachel Ridley reporting:

• September 15 minutes were approved as presented

• One-third of the Absent voter ballots issued for the November 4 election have already been returned

Treasurer, Kenny Clevenger reporting (numbers rounded by the editor):

General Fund $1.179M

Road Fund $314k

Fire Fund $152k

Police $92k

Parks & Rec $294k

Cemetery $96k

Seniors $84k

Collected tax $6M+

Interest in the amount of $8,500 was received from 3 CD's maturing at Sturgis Bank.

Planning Commission, Dan Fleming, Trustee representative, reported that as follow-up to the September Public Hearing, the Daydreamer Domes property owner is to get correct paperwork to the Township.

Parks and Recreation, Mary Campbell, Trustee representative, reporting:

• Letters have been sent to engineering firms requesting bids to restore beach access

• The sink in one restroom has been damaged and needs to be re-attached to the wall

• Requested up to $5600 for 2 trash cans for the restrooms, delivered

• Next meeting will address security cameras and treatment of wetlands

Zoning Board of Appeals

• Meeting scheduled for Thursday November 13 at 7:00 pm

• Requests by two different residents to construct garage/additions to their property.

Casco Senior Advisory Committee, Linda Teeter reporting:

Activities for current quarter at the Casco Township Hall site include Cardio drumming (Mondays 11 am); Cards (Mondays 2 pm); Chair yoga (Thursday 11 am); Bingo (1st, 2nd, and 4th Thursday, noon); Crafting (Third Thursday, noon); Tai Chi (11 am Fri for a 5-week trial).

Senior Programs	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep
At Casco site, undup	11	13	10	14	15	26	10	13	12
SSVB-SH-undup	118	112	136	152	183	189	189	215	213
Casco-activities	69	72	60	123	103	202	110	143	118
SSVB-SH-activities	742	952	1123	1418	1530	1584	1671	1726	1630
Casco residents total	146	140	148	163	188	195	204	220	218
Activities total	991	1121	1345	1667	1640	1706	1781	1869	1758

South Haven Area Water/Sewer Authority (SHAWSA), Supervisor Allan Overhiser, reporting: New water tank is scheduled to be raised soon

• The old tank is still being used

• Conversion from old to new tank is probably one year out

In other matters:

The Township Board received a detailed report about the Short Term Rental program in the Township. (See related article).

Trustee Mary Campbell asked about having a "general board business" line added to the agenda to provide time for discussion and decisions on various items.

The Township approved a PA-116 application for two parcels on 103rd owned by Dykhuis, currently in blueberries.

Approval to purchase aerial maps from Allegan County Eagle View at an annual cost of $2,300 for 5 years ($13,000 total cost). Cost is based on number of parcels. The Assessor will use the maps to monitor development across the Township.

In public comment:

Linda Teeter provided an update on holding a National Night Out in Casco Township on Tuesday August 4, 2026.

David Campbell hoped the Parks & Recreation committee would look at all options and not just a path to the beach if the path turns out to be unaffordable.

Trustee Dan Fleming questioned the order of decision making for drain projects, as projects are approved before the costs are fully understood.

The Township Board of Trustees meets for its next regular monthly meeting on November 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.