Bedbug Problem Shuts Motel (New Jersey)

Source:  NJ.com

Occupants of a Tonnelle Avenue motel in Jersey City had to grab their bags and hit the road yesterday after Jersey City inspectors closed the establishment due to bed bug infestation and fire code violations, officials said.

“It has been a consistent directive of mine that the Quality of Life Task Force address businesses and properties that are creating problems for their neighboring businesses and residents,” said Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy about the closure of the Starlite Motel near Fifth Street.

“In this case, the motel in question had numerous fire violations and was infested with bed bugs, which placed their guests at a great risk,” Healy said.

Inspectors found bed bugs in five hotel rooms, including one in which a family of two adults and three children were living as long-term residents, Chief Health Inspector H. James Boor said.

Smoke detectors in 75 percent or the motel’s rooms did not work, said Mark Redfield, chair of the task force.

About 35 additional violations were found, Redfield added, noting the motel was operating without a license since the Fire Department hadn’t completed its inspection process.

Residents in the motel owned by Mahesh Ratanji of Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen were ordered to evacuate the 16 occupied rooms by 4 p.m., Redfield said. Ratanji was given until tomorrow to fix the fire code violations and exterminate, he added.

The owner, who couldn’t be reached for comment, has been ordered to appear in Jersey City Municipal Court on Oct. 23 to address the citations, Redfield said.

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