By DIANE VALDEN
COPAKE LAKE—When Copake Councilmember Stanley “Stosh” Gansowski renewed his call in January for the reconsideration of creating an opening in the guardrail at the southeast end of Copake Lake, a flood of comments from lake residents were unleashed.
Mr. Gansowski first brought up the idea of the Town of Copake removing a small section of the guardrail in the corner parking lot at Lakeview Road and County Route 7 back in 2016. His plan was to allow all Copake residents access to the lake, not just those who live at the lake or who have a boat at a marina there.
He wants to open up about a five-foot section of guardrail so people can walk through from the parking lot to the lake with a small cartop watercraft, like a kayak or canoe, not larger boats towed in by a trailer. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website (dec.ny.gov/places/copake-lake) already says that people can access Copake Lake via “cartop launch located on the southeast side of the lake. The launch is accessible by Lakeview Road or County Route 7.” But to get to the lake from the parking lot people currently have to go over or under a guardrail.
Nine years ago it was thought that the decision whether or not to open the guardrail was up to the county, but recent information points to the town being the owner of the parking lot and the guardrail opening being subject to a Town Board decision.
Beginning at the Town Board’s January meeting and continuing at subsequent board meetings, the Town Board has heard comments and received emails weighing in on the proposal.
Many lakeside residents have stated that to allow access through a guardrail opening is not a good idea.
A sampling of the comments include:
*That watercraft brought into the lake through the corner parking lot at Lakeview Road and County Route 7 will not be subject to inspection for or cleansing to remove invasive species and will create more health issues for the lake
*That traffic in and around the lake will increase with the opening of the guardrail leading to more garbage thrown out there and more people using the area as a bathroom
*That the parking lot will require monitoring and enforcement of the rules
*That theft from and trespassing on nearby private property will increase
*That the situation at the corner parking lot is already chaotic in the summer and opening the guardrail will exacerbate existing problems
*That many lake residents support the Copake Lake Conservation Society, a volunteer organization which spends more than $100K annually on treatments to combat invasive species in the lake, and perhaps the Town should contribute if the guardrail is opened
*That the idea of opening the guardrail is meant to benefit Copake residents, but residents from other states go to the parking lot to access the lake with boats or jet skis, or to go swimming and have barbecues
*That opening up the guardrail will take revenue away from lake marinas
*That opening up the guardrail will invite liability issues for the Town.
At the March 13 Town Board meeting Councilmember Gansowski said the parking lot/guardrail issue is still being worked on and is on hold. “We want to make sure this thing is done right.”
Councilmember Bob Haight urged the public to “keep your comments coming in.” Councilmember Linda Gabaccia said the Town’s Conservation Advisory Committee is going to meet with the Copake Lake Conservation Society.
Comments on the issue may be made via email to the Town Clerk at copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org.
In other March business, the Town Board:
*Heard that the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District has given the Town $6,500 worth of trees that the Town will plant at various sites
*Approved the restriping and resurfacing of Town park tennis courts
*Agreed to put out to bid the installation of concrete walkway between the Church Street parking lot and Empire Road. The walkway is currently made of gravel. Town Highway Superintendent Bill Gregory said concrete will make the walkway easier to maintain, make it safer and more wheelchair accessible and that eventually all hamlet sidewalks will be concrete
*Heard that Copake Clean Up Day is set for May 10, for complete information about what items are acceptable go to the Town website: townofcopake.org
*Agreed to submit a request for a speed limit reduction on Camphill Road
*Heard that Copake’s second annual Picklemania (pickleball tournament) is coming to the courts at Copake Memorial Park May 31, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a June 1 rain date
*Heard the Copake Fire Company #1 will celebrate 100 years of service this year with a free afternoon event at the park August 9, 1 to 5 p.m.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
