Diane Valden is reporting for The Columbia Paper a major construction project proposed by property owner Salvatore Cascino was discussed at the Copake Planning Board's October 1 meeting. At that meeting, some board members pointed out that because of the magnitude of the project, the law requires Cascino to create a plan to prevent stormwater pollution before he can be allowed to proceed. Cascino’s attorney, Michael Sussman, argued it is not within the planning board’s purview to require such a plan. On and off since 2017, town officials been wrangling with two site plan reviews of Cascino’s proposal to construct multiple new structures on his 300-acre property, and get permits for those illegally constructed, as ordered by a court. In July, the board determined Cascino’s applications to be complete and ordered them submitted to the Columbia County Planning Board for review. Although the board was scheduled to vote on the plan by now, it has not done so because at least three members believe additional information is necessary before a decision can be made. Specifically, the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Sussman said his client had “been promised a vote,” now, instead, new requirements are being imposed 62 days later. The attorney alleged the new requirements are intended “to delay the project.” Deputy Planning Board Chairman Chris Grant asked Ken Dow, the board’s attorney, to prepare a written legal opinion that answers the question of whether the stormwater plan is required and if it is within the purview of the planning board to require it as part of the Site Plan Review. Read more in The Columbia Paper.