Note: The DearEsq free 'ask a lawyer' site is offered as a free informational service to the public and is not intended as legal advice. Laws vary from state-to-state, and in addition every situation is unique, and relevant facts may not be known. The answer to the question posed below may not apply to in your state or to your situation. For legal advice in your state and your situation you should consult with an attorney in your state who is familiar with the rules and laws in your state.
“I own a 70 acre parcel of zoned farm land. Which was a farm for 75 years. The town notified me 4 years ago and said that I had to remove my cows from the property because the cows were affecting a near by natural stream I got rid of the cows. Now the town is charging me a 1,000.00 per day fine saying my cows contaminated the stream. Can they do this to us? What about the farms they had all these years elsewhere? I complied when told and am not sure how the cows could have had an effect because they were not near there. and it is a running stream. I feel I am being railroaded into losing my property by these fines. Also the lawyer I hired suddenly became the town lawyer. I appreciate any advice.”
Question: First, get a new lawyer and make sure that the (new) town lawyer isn’t involved in your case, as it’s an obvious conflict of interest.
