NEW CITY - A Ramapo private school and synagogue have been hit with violations carrying fines of $2,000 a day for operating during a closure ban spurred by the coronavirus, though one of the institutions countered staff only handed out books for home-study and lunch, as allowed.

The Rockland Health Department cited Central UTA of Monsey in Airmont and Kahal Shaarei Tefillah in Monsey. The violations were posted Wednesday.

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The department received 85 complaints related to alleged violations as of Wednesday, according to the County Executive Office's news release on Thursday.

Central UTA, operating on Cherry Lane in Airmont, denied that it had violated the county's closure orders, which carry daily fines of $2,000.

A statewide executive order closed all schools as of March 18 until April 1, when the issue will be revisited.

Central UTA's attorney, Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna in Albany, wrote Health Department Inspector Kevin Mackey that the school administration is following the regulations by distributing books for home study and free lunches to parents who drive up to the apron of the school's driveway.

"Central UTA has fully complied with the Governor's Executive Order," the letter said. "Contrary to the allegations of the Commissioner's Order, the school remains closed presently and will not reopen for educational instruction until it's lawful to do so."

The letter stated Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order allows all schools to provide alternative education and meals for eligible students. Public schools across the state, including those in Rockland, are providing meals for students, and the state has allowed daycare facilities to operate.

The law firm wrote that Central UTA has allowed staff to prepare school assignments and meals at the school for families. The state Education Department has directed that "those functions are essential services."

The letter asks the county to rescind its violation notice based against Central UTA and remove the order placed on the school's property.

A representative for Kahal Shaarei Tefillah, 7 Nelson Road, could not be reached for comment.

An inspector who visited Kahal Shaarei Tefillah spoke with a person who said they were there for college, county spokesman John Lyon said.

Central UTA has had a contentious tenure in Airmont. The Satmar Hasidic Jewish school has filed a civil rights lawsuit accusing the village of discrimination and blocking the expansion of the school and the Suffern Central School District's denial of mandated busing to some of the private school's children.

A series of Facebook posts accused Central UTA of operating. Supporters countered the school had publicized a schedule for parents to show up to collect books and lunches. They accused County Executive Ed Day's administration of targeting the Hasidic/Orthodox community.

Moshe Glauber posted a schedule for book and food distribution on Wednesday and Thursday at the Cherry Lane school.

"Even though some here are just evil bigots, there are some who are legitimately concerned, and rightfully so," Glauber wrote on Facebook. "This is a blatant lie made up by Ed Day and/or his inspector. This is not helping anyone in the time of crisis."

Day supported the integrity of the Health Department inspectors, thanking residents who reported "an apparent violation of the Emergency Orders at 236 Cherry Lane, Airmont, the correct way ... notifying the police, our Health Department and sending photographic evidence to me via Facebook messaging."

He wrote he told law enforcement that food and assignment pickup was allowable.

"Our inspectors responded and allege based on an exterior inspection there were numerous adults and children outside in front of what appeared to be the main building and children being picked up by what appeared to be their parents or other adults in cars," Day wrote. "There was a steady stream of cars arriving and leaving with elementary school age children (boys and girls)."

Day said this "type of egregious behavior that, because some people feel that they do not wish to be inconvenienced during a crisis where all are being impacted, coupled with an administration of a facility that flouts the law, not only creates animosity in our community but risks lives."

Airmont resident Yehuda Zorger, a frequent Day critic whose children attend private school, said the UTA school has been closed.

He said Day should be uniting the county. He said the Ramapo police has been to the school twice and didn't find anything amiss with people handing out books and food. He noted students have stood on line at Spring Valley High School for food and there's no comment on Facebook.

"Jewish schools in the county are closed down," Zoger wrote. "All the Jewish synagogues are closed down. But just like in any other community there are some who don’t take things seriously as they should. But hey why not post about the Jewish community and try and pin this on the Jewish community. Instead of doing this, let’s all unite and pray for each other to get through these challenging times."

Ramapo Police Chief Brad Weidel said Thursday night that his officers checked out Central UTA during the past two days and only found people handing out food and books. He also said East Ramapo School District buildings are being used as locations to distribute food to students as well.

"The Ramapo police has found no evidence of school being in session at the private school on Cherry Lane, and it is our complete understanding at this point in time, that the Rockland County Department of Health has not found the school to be in session either."

Day responded on Facebook that he stood behind the county inspectors, saying they told the school officials to close on Wednesday and Thursday.

"I do not know how your department works but "on scene" personnel take the lead especially when the inspector is a 30 plus year veteran," Day said. "Whether the school was in session or not, their findings are what they are. I am somewhat shocked that you can now summarily "change" what their findings at the scene were and that tells me that either you did not properly communicate with our inspectors at the scene or you are now making statements after the fact that were not supported by the inspectors who were on the scene."

The county asks people to report violations to their local police or call the Health Department at 845-364-2585.

Twitter: @lohudlegal

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal. Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.