Order limiting access to crowded East Hampton house remains

A state Supreme Court judge in Riverhead on Tuesday left in place a temporary restraining order prohibiting access to a portion of an East Hampton property used to house camp counselors that officials say is illegally occupied.

Supervisor Larry Cantwell said in a telephone interview Tuesday that the order will remain in effect at least until both parties return to state court in October. Until then, Cantwell said, the property's owners -- HCDC Holdings LLC of Glen Cove -- can continue to try to resolve the 61 alleged code violations, which include overcrowding, change of use or occupancy and unsanitary conditions.

Nassau County Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs is the largest shareholder and a managing partner in HCDC, which also owns Hampton Country Day Camp. The house, at 17 Ocean Blvd. in East Hampton, is where counselors from the camp stay, at no charge.

Jacobs, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, has said the alleged violations are unfounded or exaggerations.

The attorney for HCDC, Brian C. Doyle of the Farrell Fritz law firm in Water Mill, could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

After the charges were lodged earlier this month, Jacobs said about 10 counselors were removed from the property and relocated to other HCDC houses.

Cantwell said 25 camp counselors were living in the 2,940-square-foot home and that it contained eight bedrooms and dormitory-style accommodations, though its proper use is as a single-family, four-bedroom dwelling.

Both sides are scheduled to appear in East Hampton Town Justice Court on Monday for the first hearing after arraignments on the charges. Doris E. Rosen, 60, of Jericho and David S. Skolnik, 32, of Plainview, who work at the camp, have been charged with the alleged code violations.