RAMAPO – Firefighters doused an illegal matzo oven connected to a school trailer Thursday on a property that was cited for numerous building code violations earlier in the month.
Ramapo Chief Building Inspector Anthony Mallia said officials found an illegal matzo trailer connected to another trailer intended to be used as a school Thursday at 33 Forshay Road.
A neighbor alerted authorities that smoke could be seen rising from the trailer.
“They had built some temporary structure connecting the building to the matzo oven,” Mallia. “It’s totally not allowed.”
When fire officials arrived, they doused the oven.
The owner of the property, Congregation Ateres Yisroel, was issued summonses by the building department.
Those at the property Thursday speaking with officials refused to comment.
The trailer that contained the oven was among at least three other trailers that were tightly packed together next to a two-story building, all of which were located in the rear of 4.4-acre property behind another single-family home.
Mallia said ovens for baking matzo that have proper permits are typical in Ramapo and the surrounding areas during the Passover holiday.
The discovery of an illegal matzo oven came only weeks after officials cited the property owner for multiple ordinances.
On April 4, 33 Forshay Road was inspected and issued at least eight violations by Ramapo, including for the placement of a wood burning cooking device near a structure; the expiration of a certificate of occupancy for temporary school trailers; operating a boys school without a site development plan; and accumulation of garbage.
The property owner is scheduled to appear in town court on May 10. Mallia said the town could seek a court-ordered injunction to close the property down if it isn’t brought into compliance with town code.
