Should Lewisboro take on corporate polluters?

In recent years, the residents of Lewisboro have faced persistent challenges, leaving residents frustrated and concerned about the safety and quality of their water supply. Despite promises from town officials to address these issues, little progress has been made. 

The situation took a dramatic turn when local newspapers exposed the existence of a class action lawsuit against industrial giants DuPont and 3M, revealing a link to the district's water problems. Town officials have never previously mentioned the lawsuit against the polluters.

For years, residents have been grappling with a range of water-related issues, from water discoloration and foul odors to health concerns. Many have voiced their grievances to the town government, seeking answers and solutions. However, the response from town authorities has been characterized by delay and vague assurances, leaving residents with an unsettling sense of neglect.

The situation took a surprising twist when an article was published shedding light on the class action lawsuit against chemical corporations DuPont and 3M. The lawsuit alleges that these companies knowingly released toxic chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment, contaminating groundwater sources in various regions.

This revelation has raised questions among residents about the potential connection between our town’s water issues and the actions of these corporate giants. People are now demanding answers and accountability from the town government. If the lawsuit's claims are substantiated, it could be a significant factor in explaining the water quality problems that have plagued the community for years.

As the class action lawsuit progresses, it remains to be seen how it will impact Lewisboro and the town’s response to long-standing water issues. Residents are hopeful that this revelation will compel the town to take decisive action and ensure the safety and quality of their water supply. The situation underscores the importance of transparency, accountability and timely resolution when it comes to ensuring clean and safe drinking water for all residents.

There is also a critical decision for Lewisboro to make. Do we opt in to the class action lawsuit? Doing so would guarantee our town a share of more than $10 billion from DuPont and 3M. But the Lewisboro share would be tiny, after attorneys’ fees and other municipalities getting their share of the final dollar amount.

Or should Lewisboro go it alone, and sue these firms directly?

Such an approach could yield a far larger settlement for Lewisboro and potentially individual residents, but that could take a decade before a verdict is handed down, let alone any judgments paid out. And there are always appeals.

It’s crucial to recognize that participating in the class action suit means relinquishing the right to seek damages through a direct action against these corporate giants. This is a crucial factor that should be carefully weighed and considered. But this is exactly the kind of conversation Lewisboro town leaders should have been having with residents in the past year. Instead, there has been silence.

Some people in politics prefer that kind of go-it-alone strategy for local leaders, letting them meet and plan in relative anonymity, keeping the discussion to a tight circle. But is that a realistic strategy when challenging a corporate behemoth like 3M or DuPont?

The dollar value of our entire annual town budget is miniscule, a rounding error,  to these megafirms. But what these massive corporations dread more than anything else is bad press. It makes the investors nervous and attracts regulatory and prosecutorial attention that these corporations would prefer to avoid.

Lewisboro is an hour away from the media capital of the world. If a group of moms and dads and kids and grandparents wanted to take on these giant firms and give them a good, old-fashioned black eye, I think they will back down fast. But we’ll never know if town officials continue to act as if they are only ones who know how to win this battle.