The problem was pretty straightforward. The more than 20 yeshivas identified by the New York State Education Department as lacking the required fire safety inspections were about to be inspected by Rockland County fire safety officials on Wednesday. The County was going to do it because the State asked them to. Previous inspections by the Town of Ramapo were found to be dangerously deficient. So much so that the fire inspector, Adam Peltz, was removed from his position. [Read more…]
Rockland yeshiva inspections to go forward Wednesday
“Dozens of Rockland County yeshivas targeted for fire safety checks have agreed to open their doors to inspectors starting Wednesday, a position County Executive Ed Day said satisfies his desire to ensure the private schools are safe for students.
The agreement avoids a county-threatened court battle and follows days of emails and letters between County Attorney Thomas Humbach and Dennis Lynch, the attorney for the just-formed School Religious Freedom Coalition. [Read more…]
Zebrowski: State has right to delegate inspections
Ken Zebrowski Photo: John Meore/The Journal News
Rockland inspectors will attempt to enter 16 of more than 50 schools targeted for state mandated fire and safety inspections on Monday, but the response by the schools is still unknown
“As Rockland officials prepare to restart private school inspections Monday, each side continues to disagree on whether the inspections are constitutionally legal. [Read more…]
Yeshivas deny access for fire inspectors as court cases loom
Jacob Wagschal Monsey Developer/Political Operative
From the Journal News this morning.
County Executive Ed Day says private schools will get advance knowledge of inspections Monday and if administrators deny entry the county will seek court orders to enter the buildings with police
Rockland inspectors were denied access to most yeshivas overdue for fire and safety code inspections on Thursday, as a standoff grew between the private religious schools and the county executive. [Read more…]
Yeshivas fight back, claim county inspections ‘improper’, ‘draconian’
A newly formed group of Rockland yeshivas has warned County Executive Ed Day that they believe his zeal for inspecting private schools violates the U.S. Constitution.
Members of what is being called the School Religious Freedom Coalition want a meeting with the state education commissioner to discuss a “reasonable” plan for carrying out fire and safety code inspections at local private schools.
Dennis Lynch, an attorney for the group, said organization members support the need for inspections and having safe schools for students but believe Day’s goal is to limit the growth of private schools. [Read more…]
Rockland to inspect 49 private schools
Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski announce plans to immediately inspect private schools for building code and fire safety. Photo: Ricky Flores/ The Journal News
Rockland officials newly empowered by the state to inspect private schools for fire and safety code violations made their first stop Thursday afternoon at a local Yeshiva. [Read more…]
Ramapo hires 2 fire inspectors, demotes Peltz
Former Ramapo Fire Inspector Adam Peltz is demoted, sanctioned and yet kept on at $85,865 as the board creates a new position for him.
The town board hired new fire safety and building inspectors Thursday just as state officials were given authorization to inspect dozens of private schools.
Town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence and the Town Board voted Thursday to appoint Michael Lepori as fire inspector at a cost of $64,073, and Ian Smith as deputy building inspector at a cost of $74,173. [Read more…]
CBS News covers Ramapo fire inspector
Lou Young Channel 2 News
Click here for the broadcast.
Bedlam at Ramapo Town Hall
Crowd outside Town Hall before the meeting began
It was the second public meeting of the Ramapo Town Board since the arrests and filing of federal charges against the supervisor and three others in town government. At the first meeting, the public was not allowed to offer public comment. At this meeting, Wednesday May 11, they could, and they did.
Crowd inside Town Hall May 11
The meeting hall was packed, and the overflow was escorted to another meeting room where a monitor was set up to show the proceedings. Ramapo police monitored the crowds in both areas. [Read more…]
Ramapo fire inspector accused of negligence
Ramapo Fire Inspector Adam Peltz Journal News file photo
“Ramapo’s embattled fire inspector faces demotion with a loss in salary and up to a 60-day suspension by the Town Board after he overlooked numerous fire and safety violations at four private schools that the state discovered during its own inspections.
The Ramapo Town Board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the proposed resolution to disciplinary charges brought against Adam Peltz, a longtime town employee who also serves as a volunteer member of the Monsey Fire Department and its president. [Read more…]