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CASSOPOLIS — The Cassopolis Village Council continued their discussion about the rescheduling of meetings on Monday.

Trustee Pedersen had previously raised the issue, citing concerns about the council being in compliance with their own rules regarding meetings. The council has long rescheduled canceled meetings to coincide with the next working meeting, though rules state that they should be rescheduled for the next day that is not a holiday or election day.

Village President David Johnson noted his research showed that there had been two regular meetings canceled in 2024 and one in 2023. President Pro-Tem Frank Williams Jr. expressed that the workshop meeting method worked for scheduling and met the needs of the village. Pedersen noted he was not opposed to the current method, but that the rules should be updated to match that activity if it was how the council wished to continue. A possible official change to the rules will be discussed at the January workshop meeting.

The Midwest Energy & Communications Southwest Michigan Advanced Research & Technology (SMART) Park recently received the 2024 Graham Woodhouse Intergovernmental Effort Award from the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission.

The village experienced another sewer pipe break while awaiting analysis of samples from a previous break submitted for testing. Village Manager Emilie LaGrow reported meeting with Wightman and Associates and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy to discuss possible grants or loans opportunities to address the problems. Village staff are also planning to speak with representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture for funding options.

Trustees Makay and Pedersen inquired about items during the approval of $154,524.10 in invoices. Makay questioned a charge of $1,500 for electricity for a lift station, wondering if the amount indicated a malfunction that needed to be addressed. Village Clerk Tonia Betty reported that the cost was in the normal range for the expense. A cost of $400 per month for what appeared to be phones was explained as an alarm system in the pump house by Department of Public Works Superintendent and Street Administrator Ben Anderson.

Trustee Kelly noted that the roads had been well maintained during the recent snow storm, but wondered if there was a problem with the salt spreader, as certain roads were not as well covered. Anderson answered that the spread indeed had broken down during its first use this year and was under repair by village staff.

The December workshop meeting scheduled for Dec. 23 was canceled. The next regular council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13. The next Cassopolis Area Utilities Authority meeting will take place at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. The council will hold their next workshop meeting Monday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. All meetings are held at 121 North Disbrow. The Christmas in Cassopolis will take place from Saturday, December 14th at 4 to 6 p.m. at various locations in the village. Information can be found at cassopolismainstreet.com/christmas-in-cassopolis.