39 Pa. Commw. 180 | Pa. Commw. Ct. | 1978
Opinion by
The Township of Bensalem and its Board of Superb-visors appeal here from an order of the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County granting a preliminary injunction.
By a resolution adopted on August 1, 1973, the Township named four approved electrical inspection agencies whose certifications would be accepted by the Township building inspector. Atlantic-Inland, Inc. (Atlantic), not being among those listed, filed a suit in equity against the Township wherein it asked for compensatory and punitive damages, and it also filed a petition for a preliminary injunction. Atlantic alleged that the Township’s resolution effectively excluded it from engaging in business in the Township because, while it might still make inspections, only the approved agencies’ certifications would be accepted by the Township’s building inspector and therefore building contractors and other persons would use only the four approved electrical inspection agencies. Atlantic also alleged that the Township’s enactment of the resolution should be vacated because no rules, regulations or standards were provided for application in the determination of the approved agencies which was a denial of Atlantic’s constitutional rights, and which would cause it to suffer irreparable damage. Following a hearing, the lower court granted the preliminary in
The law is clear that an appeal will generally be dismissed for mootness when an event occurs while the appeal is pending which renders it impossible for the requested relief to be granted. In the Matter of Baker Nursing Nome, Inc., 28 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 603, 369 A.2d 1336 (1977). While the Township has repealed the resolution here at issue, however, we do not believe the case is entirely moot as a matter of law because the voluntary cessation of allegedly illegal conduct does not moot a case where the offensive conduct could be resumed upon dismissal of the proceedings. Temple University v. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, 30 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 595, 374 A.2d 991 (1977). In addition, a case which may be rendered moot will not be dismissed where the issues raised are of a recurring nature, capable of repeatedly avoiding review and yet are of important public interest. Port Authority v. Division 85, Amalgamated Transit Union, 34 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 71, 383 A.2d
Our scope of review in considering the action of a court of equity granting a preliminary injunction is limited to a determination as to whether or not there were any reasonable grounds for the action, and the order will be affirmed unless it is clear that no grounds existed or that erroneous or inapplicable rules of law were applied by the court. Mudd v. Borough of Rankin, 28 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 33, 367 A.2d 338 (1976); Bristol Township Education Association v. School District of Bristol Township, 14 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 463, 322 A.2d 767 (1974). The merits of the matter or the reasons for or against the lower court’s action will not be considered, Stryjewski v. Local Union No. 830, 426 Pa. 512, 233 A.2d 264 (1967); Mudd v. Borough of Rankin, supra, nor will the merits of the complaint in equity be considered inasmuch as no appeal from a final order thereon is before us.
We found no grounds for questioning the lower court’s granting of the preliminary injunction and, therefore, affirm. In view of the fact, however, that the Township, according to its pleading in its Motion
Order
, And Now, this 12th day of December, 1978, the Township’s Motion to Dismiss the instant appeal is hereby denied and the order of the Court of Common Pleas of Ducks County granting the preliminary injunction in the above-captioned matter is hereby affirmed.