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A Hasidic bungalow colony Monday denied town inspectors access to a newly built shul and community center, prolonging a standoff that likely will be headed to court.

Supervisor Daniel Sturm and a town engineer planned to inspect the building in the afternoon but were called off by the colony's attorney.

"They are not going to let us in at 1 o'clock as scheduled," Sturm said. "We'll discuss this with our attorneys and decide what the next move is."

The town issued violations on Friday after colony members defied an order to vacate the building, which is located about 1,000 feet off Route 17B on Schultz Road.

The colony does not have a certificate of occupancy but continues to use the building.

While Sturm said town officials were denied entry, the colony's attorney, Henri Shawn, said he merely asked the town to delay the inspection until he had time to meet with his clients.

"I can see this is going to be war," Shawn said.

The colony is owned by the United Talmudical Academy Torah Neyirah, which has a Brooklyn address. UTA has a permit to build the 6,900-square-foot building, but it had not been finished or given a final inspection, town officials say.

Engineer Michael Weeks of McGoey, Hauser and Edsall visited the property a week ago. After looking at the unfinished parking area, he deemed the use of the building unsafe. The town posted an order to vacate and a stop-work order in the window.

A colony board member who didn't want to give his name said the town has mysteriously changed course, first promising a temporary certificate of occupancy, now issuing violations and threats.

Colony members said they believe "anti-Semites" in town are influencing board members.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090721/NEWS/907210324/-1/SITEMAP