S. Rutland contractor ordered to pay $15,000

COPENHAGEN — A South Rutland contractor is being ordered to pay nearly $15,000 to the village for failing to complete its garage project in 2007.

State Supreme Court Judge Joseph D. McGuire, in a default judgment filed Thursday in the Lewis County clerk's office, ordered Ronald Herzig to repay $11,208, plus interest and legal costs. That amounts to $14,959.

The decision stemmed from a lawsuit filed in May by the Watertown office of law firm Menter, Rudin and Trivelpiece, which represents the village.

Mr. Herzig in August 2007 was hired to construct a three-bay garage on Mechanic Street next to the village office, the lawsuit states. He was paid $14,937 — representing 75 percent of the total cost — in two installments based on a contractual agreement but later failed to complete the project or refund the money, it states.

The village credited Mr. Herzig for $3,729 in costs for materials and equipment rental.

The garage was completed later by other workers.