Town of Foster v. Vinagro

ORDER This matter came before the Supreme Court pursuant to an order directing both parties to appear and show cause why the issues raised in this appeal should not be summarily decided. In this case defendants appeal from the granting of a preliminary injunction against them at the request of the plaintiff town of Foster. The order of the court enjoined the defendants from feeding garbage to their pigs. After reviewing the memoranda submitted by the parties and after hearing their counsel in oral argument, it is the conclusion of this court that cause has not been shown. The court is of the opinion that the town has [269] standing to bring the complaint in this case to enjoin the violation of its own ordinances. The court is further of the opinion that there was sufficient showing of likelihood of success on the merits. The defendants challenge the trial justice’s findings based on the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence. It is the duty of the fact finder, not this court, to assess the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence. Morgan v. City of Warwick, 510 A.2d 1297, 1299 (R.I.1986). Furthermore, defendants’ expert testimony that garbage is an acceptable feed for pigs is totally irrelevant to the issue of whether the ordinances of the town of Foster were being violated. Finally, defendants’ constitutional challenge of the ordinance was not established. For these reasons the defendants’ appeal is denied and dismissed, the injunction appealed from is affirmed, and the papers of the case are remanded to the Superior Court. WEISBERGER, Acting C.J., did not participate.