Kerhonkson, NY – Approximately 1,000 girls at Camp Rav Tov in Kerhonkson heaved a sigh of relief as a temporary restraining order issued by a Brooklyn judge overrode the Ulster County Health Department’s order that would have shuttered the camp a week ahead of the scheduled end of the season.

As previously reported on VIN News, neighbors of the Cherrytown Road camp have been heaving sighs of disgust all summer long, as Rav Tov’s failing septic system has been spewing raw sewage on area roadways, leaving a malodorous smell in the air.

Unsuccessful efforts to remedy the situation had health commissioner Dr. Carol Smith ordering the camp evacuated by Monday afternoon because it posed a health hazard to both campers and neighbors.

According to a statement released after close of business on Tuesday by the Ulster County Attorney’s Office, the eleventh hour reprieve was granted on Monday prior to the health department’s 5 PM deadline by an unnamed Kings County Supreme Court judge.

A settlement hammered out between Ulster County and the camp after the temporary restraining order was issued will have the camp pumping out and removing all sewage from the facility each day through the end of the summer season on August 22nd, with an independent engineer certifying the camp’s compliance on a daily basis.

Camp Rav Tov will place $40,000 in an escrow account to be used for cleanup should it fail to remove waste as agreed for the duration of this summer and has also agreed to install a county-approved septic system before obtaining any permits for next summer.

Reactions on Facebook to a Daily Freeman story on the camp’s ability to continue its operations ranged from anger to shock, with some voicing opinions that had distinctly religious overtones.

“There [sic] used to living in filth,” wrote Gerard Greaves.

“How can that happen what gas [sic] happened to our legAl [sic] system they [sic] own the governor and the judges,” added Patricia Foster.

Multiple commenters expressed incredulity that a Brooklyn court’s ruling could take priority over the health department’s recommendations.

“Can someone explain how a judge who’s [sic] jurisdiction end [sic] over 60 miles away has any say in the matter?” wrote a user identified as Bacon Poopinn. “Also I noticed they failed to mention the judges [sic] name. I’d be real curious to know how fair and impartial a judge from Brooklyn is (taking a wild guess at his religious beliefs.)”

Camp Rav Tov and the Ulster County Health Department were not immediately available to comment on the matter.