JunkYard Wars

JunkYard Wars

Several months ago, Town Board leadership decided to appoint a task force to review the only zoning law in Copake that is still under the Town Board’s direct control. To be clear, Motor Vehicle Storage Permit regulation of junk yards and motor vehicle operations are, in every other town I know, regulated by zoning, not by town boards – and there are very good reasons for that.

Copake’s citizens may well decide they like the message it sends to visitors when junkers are strewn along entry roads to our town. There is, however, no argument about the environmental consequences of leaving rusting, useless hulks along the road and in fields for years. That is why in virtually every other town across America, requires permits and regulations to store rusting vehicles whose broken or dismantled parts leak anti -freeze, brake fluid, power steering fluid, motor, transmission and rear end oil into town grounds and water systems where those toxic fluids and rust leach into the earth and water, are almost impossible to get. This is not a Republican v Democrat issue. This is not a political football to use in election politics. This is an important land use issue about poisoning land and people. In every other town I know, it’s decided by professionals, not amateurs running for local office.

Sadly, that is what has happened in Copake. The first step in politicizing this important law, was Republican majority leadership on the board, naming the two fellow nominees for Copake Town Board, Harvey Weber and Joe Laporta as the majority members of the “Task Force.”

It’s been reported to me that Mr. Weber and Laporta said they don’t need to listen to the local ZBA or Planning Board – both of whom wrote strong letters to the Town Board leadership condemning the “Task Force”.

The ZBA stressed, among other things, that environmental issues are not being addressed with this law. The planning Board stressed that junkyards are not allowed in Copake period. They recommended that the entire chapter 156, addressing this issue needs to be re-written by a professional, land-use attorney – as opposed to two candidates running for public office.

There may be a short term victory here for our junkyard operations masquerading as repair shops but it’s hardly a legacy to be proud of. I note that Mr.Weber, as recently as October 7, spoke proudly of his commitment to the environment but I find that hard to square that with his commitment to junkyards in Copake. There’s still time for Mr. Weber to reject his defense of polluters. It may be good politics for their votes and fundraising but toxic policy for our citizens.

I do hope our two candidates on the “Task Force” will air their thoughts about their conduct by speaking to us in public forums and in print between now and November two. The election will be over in a few weeks, but Copake’s citizens and its children will live with the results of this reckless decision in their food and water for years to come.

Ian