“HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. >> On Tuesday night, village officials passed two resolutions related to the village’s ongoing PFOA battle.
High levels of perflourooctanic acid, a synthetic chemical that is persistent, mobile and toxic were detected in the public water system in Hoosick Falls in 2014, and subsequently in numerous public and private water sources in and around Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh and North Bennington.
For several years now, village officials have blamed the PFOA contamination issue on Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International…
‘We passed two resolutions. The first resolution authorizes the law firm of Nolan and Heller — and that’s our environmental attorney David Engel,’ said Mayor Robert Allen. ‘Basically, if [Engel] decides that it’s time to file a lawsuit [against Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International], then he can file a lawsuit. He now has the authorization from the [village Board of Trustees] to file a lawsuit if he feels that is the only necessary next step that we have’…
‘The second resolution, unfortunately ties in a bit,’ said Allen, ‘It authorizes the village to commence litigation against the former environmental attorney, Fitzgerald and Morris firm. Back in November they filed a notice of claim against the village for what they’re saying is the cost of their services, which is just over $582,000. The village, again, we’ve had good faith discussions to try to come to a resolution, but at the end of the day the village disputes the alleged services and the bills… and we are content to have this end up at a trial in front of a jury.’”
Read the full article by Nicholas Buonanno.