Newport, RI - Judge Throws Out Neighbor's Suit Against Touro Synagogue

Newport, RI - Touro Synagogue's long-planned construction of a new visitors center and restoration of the Barney House as an education center is expected to begin this summer, now that a Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of the synagogue in a lawsuit that has held up the project for the past year.

Judge Stephen P. Nugent has denied and dismissed the complaint of Wendy Anolik, an abutter to the Levy House owned by the Touro Synagogue Foundation, that the Newport Zoning Board of Review approved the project in violation of city ordinances and state law.
Attorney Keith Kyle, who represents Anolik, said he has asked the state Supreme Court to review the decision. Attorney Turner Scott, who represents Touro, said he would file an answer to Anolik's Supreme Court petition within the next 20 days.

Meanwhile, Michael L. Balaban, chief executive officer of the Touro Synagogue Foundation, said Touro would now move forward with the plans. "They can move forward, but at their own peril," Kyle said. "If the Supreme Court rules the zoning board had no jurisdiction, the work will be halted."

Scott doesn't believe the Supreme Court will do that.

"It's a zoning issue," he said. "There are no deep legal issues involved."