A haredi-owned camp that clear-cut trees, built a parking lot, and
removed a large pond where runoff and rainfall once drained 13 years ago
– all without permits or any guidance from an engineer – has been
ordered to pay more than $259,000 plus 13 years of interest to two
neighbors for damages caused to their property and homes by heavy runoff
and flooding.
Haredi Camp Ordered To Pay Neighbors More Than $259,000 Plus 13 Years Of Interest For Damages Caused By Camp’s Illegal Construction
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
A haredi-owned camp that clear-cut trees, built a parking lot, and removed a large pond where runoff and rainfall once drained 13 years ago – all without permits or any guidance from an engineer – has been ordered to pay more than $259,000 plus 13 years of interest to two neighbors for damages caused to their property and homes by heavy runoff and flooding.
Menorah Congregation, which runs Camp Menorah in Woodridge, was ordered to pay $164,094 to Vladimer Loos and $94,659 to Ezra Feldman plus interest which began compiling 13 years ago. But the congregation was not ordered to pay punitive damages because there was no proof that the camp’s owner wanted to harm the neighbors, the Times Herald-Record reported.
"The trial established that [Menorah Congregation] is a classic neighbor from hell, one of the most irresponsible property owners in Sullivan County," Alex Smith, and attorney who represented one of the neighbors, told the Times Herald-Record.
The camp was also ordered to submit plans to solve the drainage problems to the village within 60 days.
[Hat Tip: The Lion.]