Case ID: mass-app-div-annual_1980/html/0161-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Walsh, P.J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Dorothy Porreca & another
      vs. Robert V. Baldelli & another
    
    Western District
    November 5, 1980
    Present: Walsh, P.J., Cimini & McGuane, JJ.
    Philip Castleman for the plaintiffs.
    William W. Hays for the defendants.
    
      
       Kenneth Jenkins
    
    
      
       Jean M. Baldelli
    
    
      
      Honorable Frank W. Cimini sat on the panel and heard oral arguments in this case but had retired prior to the signing of this opinion.
    
   Walsh, P.J.

This is an appeal from a finding for the plaintiffs on a complaint wherein recovery was sought for the fair market value of a stained glass room divider. The defendants admitted that they entered into an agreement for the construction of the divider but only for the cost of the materials, which cost was not to exceed $500.00, and that they had paid this sum as agreed. The court found for the plaintiffs in the amount of $1,880.00.

The report discloses that there was evidence tending to show that the plaintiffs agreed to build a divider for the defendants and that the fair market value of the divider was $3,500.00. The defendants testified that the plaintifs agreed to build the item for the experience as long as the defendants paid for the cost of the materials, which was not to exceed $500.00.

The trial judge made certain findings of fact. Basically, he found that the defendants engaged the plaintiff to design, construct and install the divider, that the plaintiffs did so in a good workmanlike manner; and that the fair market value of the divider was $2,380.00, of which $500.00 was paid.

The defendants filed requests for rulings which the judge found inapplicable because of his findings of fact and treated as waived. The defendants claim to be aggrieved by his alleged failure to rule on their requests.

The defendants, on appeal, and we, in review, may treat the requests as having been denied. John Hetherington & Sons, Ltd. v. William Firth Co., 210 Mass. 8, 17 (1911); Haven v. Brimfleld, 345 Mass. 529, 533 (1963).

A part of Dist./Mun. Cts. R. Civ. P., Rule 64 (b) states that “whenever any request for rulings, founded upon evidence, shall be refused upon the ground that it is...inapplicable to the facts found...the court shall state the facts found...upon which such refusal is based, unless the same appear from the special findings filed.” One of the principal issues raised by the defendants in their requests was whether or not there was an agreement as to price for the divider. It does not appear that the inapplicability of the issue was resolved in the findings of fact. See DiGesse v. Columbia Pontiac Co., Inc., 369 Mass. 99 (1975). We think that this constituted prejudicial error.

It is, therefore, ordered that the finding for the plaintiffs be vacated and a new trial-ordered.