Hampshire sues over bad siding job

The village of Hampshire is suing a local contractor, claiming there was shoddy siding work done on a $5.1 million wellhouse back in 2008.

The suit against Seagren Construction of Hampshire seeks damages of more than $50,000 and charges the firm with negligence and breach of warranty for a wellhouse at Harmony and Allen roads.

Court records say the building was finished Oct. 8, 2008, but the village told Seagren on June 8, 2009, about excessive gaps and not enough caulk in the fiber cement siding on the two-story wellhouse, which is designed to look like a townhouse so it fits in a residential area.

Jeff Seagren, owner of Seagren Construction, acknowledged that parts of the siding have cracked and a small piece even fell off. He said had been working with Hampshire officials to solve the problem and he was “perplexed” and “disappointed” the disagreement was headed to court.

“I volunteered to do spot repairs and they said we want all the siding replaced and that’s when negotiations broke down. The village wants a more aggressive restoration,” Seagren said. “We were trying to act in good faith and communications just broke down. We’re part of the community. We hate for it to come to this.”

Attorneys for Hampshire did not return messages and Village President Jeffrey Magnussen did not immediately respond to an e-mail.

Both sides are due in court on April 21 before Judge Kevin Busch.