The Motel Du Val elicits many harsh words from Ellenville residents, primarily for its use as temporary housing by county social services. Fights, drug use, and police calls associated with the guests of the motel only increase residents’ cries for the location to be shut down. To further complicate matters, the motel is currently unlicensed and out of compliance with multiple village codes.

The Ellenville Village Board of Trustees recently digested a detailed report on Motel Du Val that was compiled by Village Code Enforcement Officer Brian Schug. The report noted that the proprietor of the motel has been working to come into compliance with village code, but is not yet there. At Monday’s village board meeting, the code enforcement inspection was described as thorough and complete.

The motel has surrendered a ledger, listing guests, though it was reportedly incomplete. Ellenville Mayor Jeff Kaplan has requested that the complete ledger be turned over immediately.

Meanwhile, the village is considering whether or not to grant the motel a new license to operate. The motel has 34 rooms in total, of which in late June, 23 were occupied. Of those, eight were occupied by clients of Ulster County Social Services in Kingston.

On Monday, the new village attorney, Ian Morris, affirmed that current village laws do not allow occupancy of a room by anyone for more than 30 days. Potentially, just enforcement of the current laws would end the problems associated with the motel, which is seen by both the Ellenville Police Department and the Ellenville First Aid & Rescue Squad as by far the most problematic address in the village. While the police deal with the frequent fights, the Rescue Squad responds to medical emergencies there perhaps 100 times a year, at least in President T.J. Briggs’ estimation.

Schug added that currently only two rooms at the motel are occupied by social services clients.

The use of motels around Ulster County by social services reflects the shortage of affordable housing.Social Services prefers to house clients at its own shelters, but also works with a number of private businesses. Social Services’ housing is the last step on the ladder, or the first, with complete homelessness below it.

The motel has been the object of ire on the part of the Village administration for years. It was constructed in the 1950s and its garish (or cheerful) red and blue exterior dominates the entrance to the village proper. If the village does not grant the motel a license to operate it may close. It is unclear whether the owner, Mr. Lin, will sue to try and stay in business, if a license is not granted.