Appeal will start again in December BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer ROOSEVELT - The Planning Board has yet to continue its hearing regarding the yeshiva's use of the home at 53 N. Rochdale Ave. The board was scheduled to continue the hearing on Nov. 20, but will now meet about the matter on Dec. 12. Yeshiva Me'on Hatorah, which is operating an Orthodox school for high school-aged boys out of the Homestead Lane synagogue, is appealing the borough zoning officer's decision that the use of the North Rochdale Avenue residence, owned by Paul Brottman, is violating borough ordinances. Rabbi Yisroel Eisenberg, of Yeshiva Me'on Hatorah, is currently leasing the North Rochdale residence from Brottman. The yeshiva's lawyer, Edward J. Liston, is also representing Brottman in the hearing before the board. During the Planning Board's Nov. 20 meeting, board member Jane Rothfuss reported that the hearing would have to be postponed, as the board's attorney was unable to attend. Rothfuss said that she did speak to Planning Board Attorney Michele Donato that day. For the hearing on the appeal, Donato had suggested that the board subpoena a New Jersey State Police trooper who once visited the home in question. "In preparation for [the next] meeting, we have subpoenas going out," Rothfuss said. "Michele [Donato] thought we may also want to subpoena the state trooper who visited the house and made observations." The Planning Board voted in favor of subpoenaing the state trooper. Board members Lou Esakoff and Ralph Seligman abstained from the vote. Board members Michael Ticktin, Steve Yeger, Jaymie Kosa and Bob Dermody were all absent. Esakoff said he thought the trooper's report provided enough information. Regarding the trooper, Seligman commented, "He's free," meaning that he would not have to be paid to appear. Rothfuss added, "To subpoena people is not free [of charge], but Michele thought it would be useful to have him." The board is trying to render a decision on whether the use of the North Rochdale residence constitutes a single-family use. Prior to resigning from his position as the borough's zoning officer, Robert Francis had issued Paul Brottman, the owner of 53 N. Rochdale Ave., a violation stating that the current living situation in the home - which is located in a zone for single-family residences - does not constitute a single-family use. He reported that 11 boys and one 25-year-old adult supervisor were living in the home when he inspected it. During the board's first meeting regarding the appeal, Donato had recommended that the board issue a subpoena for a copy of the lease between Brottman and Eisenberg along with copies of contracts between the yeshiva and the parents of its students, as well as for the testimony of Eisenberg and Joshua Pruzansky, the vice president of Yeshiva Me'on Hatorah. The board will continue its hearing on the appeal at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at borough hall.