 |
| A matzo oven, as seen inside a trailer at 33 Forshay Road in Ramapo.(Photo: Ramapo Building Department) A town judge told the director of a Jewish congregation onTuesday that it's not kosher to illegally bake matzo at an illegal school and dormitory. |
"I would strongly suggest that you keep (the school) clear from people," Simon said, adding that the complex, which includes a wood-frame single family house and three modular trailers, is "endangering lives."
Rosenberg appeared in court after the congregation was hit with two new violations Monday, when inspectors found a commercial matzo oven mounted 10 feet above the floor on cinder blocks, level with and blocking a handicap ramp in a wooden trailer next to the house on the 4.4-acre property. The congregation was cited for unsafe burning, and for burning too close to a structure.
Many congregations make their own matzo for Passover and do so in self-contained installations that officials said are safe. The ovens are temporary.
Ramapo Fire Safety Inspector Adam Peltz said he found the violations at Congregation Ateres Yisroel while responding to the complex Monday after complaints of heavy smoke in the neighborhood.
"The (Monsey) Fire Department determined that there was a matzoh oven at 33 Forshay," said Peltz, adding that the congregation also lacks the proper permits and fire safety devices required for a school and dormitory. He said the town does not issue permits for commercial ovens in residential properties.
Before Tuesday's arraignment on 19 violations, Rosenberg said the congregation does have a permit for the matzoh oven, but he was unable to produce one in court. He also said applications to operate the school have been filed with the Ramapo Planning Board.
The congregation had twice failed to appear in Town Court on violation charges in connection with the school and dormitory; Rosenberg appeared Tuesday after Simon issued warrants ordering officials to show up. The congregation was cited in 2009 and 2012 for operating a school inside the two-story building.
"They vacated the school and that abated the violations," Peltz said. "They subsequently sneaked back into the building."
Rosenberg didn't directly respond when the judge asked him if he would shut down the oven and keep the dormitories and school empty until all approvals were given. Simon told Peltz to re-inspect to make sure Rosenberg closed down the oven, which was fueled by burning coals.
Controversy over matzo ovens pops up in Ramapo during the Passover season. In April 2007, a rabbi built an oven into a yellow school bus on his property in Spring Valley. The rabbi used a pedaling system to heat the oven, with gas lines leading into the bus. The village closed him down.
Peltz said building inspectors were tipped off that the Ateres Yisroel school was operating again in February.
Many profit-generating schools in the town operate illegally and, if caught, get temporary approvals as long as fire safety requirements are met while the planning and zoning boards consider applications.
Congregation Ateres Yisroel has been cited for having no building permit, no certificate of occupancy, and no fire safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, interconnected smoke detectors and sprinklers, Peltz said. The facility also has electrical hazards and doors not on hinges, he said.
Peltz said the illegal five-room dormitory had 24 beds. Three 60-foot modular trailers were being used as a synagogue and lunchroom.
"The three trailers were latched together for one big room," Peltz said.Rosenberg said the dormitory was vacated, but Peltz told the judge that's normal during the holiday season and the students could return after Passover.
Rosenberg said the town wants the congregation to move faster on getting approvals.
