Derby could be close to settling a lawsuit filed by a construction firm who say they’re owed money for work performed on the city’s river walk.
The city, under former Mayor Anthony Staffieri’s administration, signed a contract with Hammonasset Construction, LLC of Clinton in 2012 for $499,691, according to The New Haven Register.
The company built “phase three” of the Derby Greenway, a 1.8 mile walking trail along the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers. According to the 2012 Register article, Hammonasset was hired to extend the trail by about 1,000 feet and install a pedestrian bridge.
The work was done, but in a lawsuit filed last year Hammonasset claimed Derby required “extra and additional work” beyond what was outlined in the contract, then refused to pay for the extras.
The lawsuit, filed in civil court in Milford, does not provide details of the work or the alleged extra work required by Derby.
“Derby’s wrongful failure to pay Hammonasset has benefited Derby and damaged Hammonasset,” the company’s lawsuit reads.
Hammonassett asks the court for at least $15,000 for the alleged breach of contract.
According to a document filed in court July 14, Derby and Hammonasset are close to settling their differences. No details are provided.
The “parties are engaged in meaningful settlement discussions and anticipate that a resolution will be reached,” according to a “case flow request” filed in court by the company.
Derby lawyers and the company’s lawyers are scheduled to meet for a conference Aug. 22.
Hammonasset Construction is also suing the City of Ansonia for work performed on that city’s Naugatuck river walk. The river walk opened in 2011. Hammonasset filed its suit in 2014, alleging Ansonia required work outside the scope of the contract. Click here for a previous story.
Ansonia denied the construction company’s allegations and the lawsuit is still pending in Milford.
A status conference in the Ansonia case is scheduled for Sept. 6. If a settlement isn’t reached, it could go to trial in 2017.
