Oscar Thomsen, Inc. v. Cushing, No. Cv92 0124413 (Oct. 18, 1994)

1994 Conn. Super. Ct. 10588
CourtConnecticut Superior Court
DecidedOctober 18, 1994
DocketNo. CV92 0124413
StatusUnpublished

This text of 1994 Conn. Super. Ct. 10588 (Oscar Thomsen, Inc. v. Cushing, No. Cv92 0124413 (Oct. 18, 1994)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Connecticut Superior Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Oscar Thomsen, Inc. v. Cushing, No. Cv92 0124413 (Oct. 18, 1994), 1994 Conn. Super. Ct. 10588 (Colo. Ct. App. 1994).

Opinion

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This case is unpublished as indicated by the issuing court.]MEMORANDUM OF DECISION On May 26, 1993, the plaintiff, Oscar Thomsen, Inc. (Thomsen), plumbing and heating contractor, filed a revised three count complaint against the defendants, Ruth Cushing and Babarovic Sonkin.1 In the first count of the revised complaint Thomsen alleges that it entered into an agreement whereby, from approximately January, 1990 through August, 1990, it provided plumbing and heating materials and services in connection with renovations and additions to premises located at 44 Husted Lane, Greenwich, which were to be paid for by defendants. Thomsen CT Page 10589 alleges that the agreement with the defendants consists of four documents that are attached as exhibits to its revised complaint: (1) a copy of the Architectural and Construction Agreement dated November 3, 1989; (2) a copy of the AIA Standard Agreement Between Owner and Contractor dated January 16, 1990; (3) a copy of an invoice dated July 11, 1990 from Thomsen to Babarovic Sonkin regarding job extras totaling $17,433.20; and (4) a copy of an invoice dated July 6, 1990 from Thomsen to Babarovic Sonkin regarding extra work in a bathroom totaling $4,000.

Thomsen alleges that the defendant made three payments, totaling $50,000, and a balance of $16,633.20 remains due and outstanding. In its second count, Thomsen further alleges that the reasonable value of the services and materials it has provided to the defendants, less the payments it has received, is $16,633.20. Finally, in its third count, Thomsen alleges that the defendants have been unjustly enriched.

On June 9, 1993, the defendant Cushing filed an answer and nine affirmative defenses directed to all counts of the revised complaint. These defenses are: (1) Thomsen's claims are unenforceable due to its failure to first obtain a certification of registration under the Home Improvement Act (Improvement Act) as required by General Statutes §§ 20-420(a), 20-427(b)(5) and20-429(a)(8); (2) Thomsen's claims are unenforceable due to the failure of its agent, John M. Dixon, to be a registered salesman under the Improvement Act as required by General Statutes §§ 20-420(b),20-427(b)(7) and 20-429(a)(8); (3) the alleged agreements fail to comply with the requirements of the Improvement Act; (4) the claims by Thomsen for "extras" are unenforceable due to the lack of a signed, written agreement; (5) the alleged agreements are unenforceable due to Thomsen's failure to provide defendants with a copy of the agreements upon their execution in accordance with the Improvement Act, § 20-429(c); (6) the alleged agreements fail to comply with the requirements of the Home Solicitation Sales Act (Solicitation Act); (7) any agreements, authorizations, change orders or amendments claimed by Thomsen that are not contained in the writings attached to the revised complaint are unenforceable due to their failure to comply with the requirements of the Improvement Act and Solicitation Act; (8) the "extras" for which Thomsen claims it is entitled to payment were the plaintiff's obligation to provide pursuant to the alleged agreements; and (9) accord and satisfaction.

The defendant Cushing also asserted three counterclaims CT Page 10590 against Thomsen: (1) that she is entitled to a set-off due to plaintiff's failure to complete the work and supply the materials in accordance with the agreements; (2) plaintiff's claim to have performed work including draining and winterizing pipes and installing antifreeze, which, if performed, was performed negligently causing damage to defendant; and (3) plaintiff entered into a settlement agreement with the defendant to complete certain work in return for payment of $15,000, which was paid, but the plaintiff failed to complete the work making it necessary for defendant to hire other contractors to complete the work. On April 27, 1994, the defendant Cushing filed a revised amended answer that asserted a fourth counterclaim against Thomsen for violation of the Improvement Act, the Solicitation Act and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The defendant Cushing filed a motion for summary judgment (#135) on the grounds that the plaintiff's claims are unenforceable under both the Improvement Act and the Solicitation Act.

Pursuant to Practice Book § 384 summary judgment shall be granted "`if the pleadings, affidavits and any other proof submitted show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.'" Suarez v. Dickmont Plastics Corp., 229 Conn. 99, 105,639 A.2d 507 (1994). "Once the moving party has presented evidence in support of the motion for summary judgment, the opposing party must present evidence that demonstrates the existence of some disputed factual issue. . . . It is not enough, however, for the opposing party merely to assert the existence of such a disputed issue." (Citations omitted.) Burns v. Hartford Hospital,192 Conn. 451, 455, 472 A.2d 1257 (1984); Farrell v. Farrell, 182 Conn. 34,39, 438 A.2d 415 (1980).

In determining whether an issue of material fact exists, the evidence is considered in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Strada v. Connecticut Newspaper, Inc., 193 Conn. 313,317, 477 A.2d 1005 (1984). In deciding a motion for summary judgment the trial court may consider affidavits and any other proof submitted by the parties, in addition to the pleadings. Pepev. City of New Britain, 203 Conn. 281, 285-86, 524 A.2d 629 (1987). "Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein." Practice Book § 381; Mingachos v. CBS, Inc., 196 Conn. 91, 111, 491 A.2d 368 CT Page 10591 (1985). A court cannot rely upon an affidavit when it does not satisfy the requirements of Practice Book § 381. Dime Savings Bankv. Zenesky, 8 CSCR 500, 501 (April 28, 1993, Lewis, J.). "If the affidavit and other supporting documents are inadequate, then the court is justified in granting the summary judgment, assuming that the movant has met his burden of proof." New Haven Tobacco Co. v.O'Brien,

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Bluebook (online)
1994 Conn. Super. Ct. 10588, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/oscar-thomsen-inc-v-cushing-no-cv92-0124413-oct-18-1994-connsuperct-1994.