Decision regarding yeshiva student dwelling put off
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

ROOSEVELT — The Roosevelt Planning Board has reached a stalemate in its decision regarding the use of the Brottman house.

When a motion was made at the board’s Dec. 12 meeting to reverse the borough zoning officer’s decision that the North Rochdale Avenue home is not being used in accordance to borough ordinances, the motion failed in a vote of 4-4, with Jane Rothfuss, Jim Alt, Alison Petrilla and Tim Hartley all voting against the measure.

When a second motion was made later on in the meeting to affirm the zoning officer’s decision, the motion failed again in a vote of 4-4, with Jaymie Kosa, Bob Dermody, Lou Esakoff and Ed Moser voting against the measure.

After the two votes, which took place around 11 p.m., Planning Board Attorney Michele Donato said, “I don’t know what to say, and I have to do some research as to what happens now.”

The board ultimately decided to call the meeting to a close because it could not render a decision in the case.

Prior to resigning from his position as the borough’s zoning officer, Robert Francis had issued a violation to Paul Brottman, the owner of 53 N. Rochdale Ave. Francis said the current living situation in the home, which is located in a zone for single-family residences, does not constitute a single-family use.

Rabbi Yisroel Eisenberg, of Yeshiva Me’on Hatorah, is currently leasing the residence from Brottman for use by students who attend the yeshiva. The yeshiva, an Orthodox Jewish high school for boys that operates out of the Homestead Lane synagogue, is appealing Francis’ decision. The yeshiva’s lawyer, Edward J. Liston, is also representing Brottman in the hearing.

On Sept. 26, the board heard from Francis but decided that it did not have enough information to rule regarding Francis’ decision. It therefore sent out subpoenas to various yeshiva officials, along with Brottman and a New Jersey State Police trooper who once visited the Brottman house.

Because Planning Board Chairman Ralph Seligman was not present at the Dec. 12 meeting, Rothfuss, the vice chairwoman, presided over the continuation of the hearing. For various reasons, board members Michael Ticktin, Steve Yeger, Councilman Michael Hamilton and Mayor Elsbeth “Beth” Battel recused themselves.

Although the board had subpoenaed Eisenberg and yeshiva Vice President Joshua Pruzansky for the hearing, Liston started off by saying that he did not intend to call them as witnesses and cautioned the board to be careful not to do that, stating, “It takes on the characteristics of an inquisition.”

“To force them to testify is harassment,” Liston argued. “If you call them as witnesses, in my opinion, you do so at your own peril.”

Donato responded, “I take umbrage at

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