Fontaine Brothers, Inc. v. Springfield

Early in the construction of a fire station for the city of Springfield, a dispute erupted about whether certain excavation work entitled the general contractor, Fontaine Brothers, Inc. (Fontaine), to extra compensation or was within the scope of the work as described by the plans and specifications. The architect for the project, exercising authority to interpret the plans and specifications, ruled that Fontaine was not entitled to extra compensation. Fontaine brought a contract action against the city, insisting that the architect had exceeded his authority, and secured a jury verdict of…