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The Department of Health has asked those staying at the former Homowack Lodge to evacuate the resort after citing the owner for "numerous, persistent and serious violations of the state sanitary code," the Times Herald-Record has learned.

The sprawling resort off Route 209 in Phillipsport is owned by a Hasidic sect and is being used as a summer girls' camp. The state found violations during inspections after an oil spill last week.

"After several investigations conducted by New York state Department of Health in conjunction with Town of Mamakating and other health and safety agencies, on July 13, the Department of Health requested a voluntary evacuation of the Homowack hotel in the interest of public safety," said Mamakating Supervisor Bob Fiore.

DOH District Director Mark Knudsen, of the Monticello office, said in a prepared statement that Machne Bnos Square (the former Homowack) was cited for inoperable/defective fire suppression and fire alarm systems, pervasive moisture problems from leaking roofs and plumbing and mold in occupied and unoccupied buildings. Inspectors discovered numerous electrical problems resulting from leaking pipes flowing over electrical boxes.

The owners further were cited for inadequate supervision of children, failing to maintain the sewage disposal system and the proper disinfection of drinking water, and protecting the drinking water well from contamination, Knudsen said.

Anita Altman, who owns property next door, said she first complained to town officials that the buildings and grounds were a hazard in April 2008, but that she has largely been brushed off by the town.

"There has been no enforcement," she said. "It just goes on and on and we have to ask, 'What do we have a government for?'"

Fiore said he was not sure if the owners had complied.

"We will be going there today (Wednesday) to observe their progress," he said.

On July 10, county Public Safety Commissioner Dick Martinkovic, in a letter to town Building Inspector Mary Grass, wrote he had "great concern for the overall fire safety of all persons who occupy buildings in the camp."

Among other problems, he noted the fire alarm system was not operating fully or sending any signal to the 911 Center, and that the sprinkler system also wasn't working.

The lodge is now owned by a group in New Square in Rockland County.

Entrance ways were posted with notices that the fire system was disabled and the buildings were vacant. However, no doors were padlocked. Several adults and a few children were still in the posted buildings on Wednesday. Inside the main lobby area, the ceiling was caving in and the lights were on. Numerous children's bikes and playthings were scattered about the grounds. People indicated that the camp children had not yet been moved off the property.

"They are dealing with other hotels to get a spot," said Rabbi Bernard Freilich, who serves as a liaison with the Orthodox communities. "I know they are trying."

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090716/NEWS/907160323