Farmingdale eyes possible damage from toxins
The Village of Farmingdale in the Town of Oyster Bay was officially incorporated in 1904 and the area became known for its aviation and aerospace technology. (July 5, 2011) Credit: Alexi Knock
Bracing for an underground toxic plume spreading steadily south from the former Grumman Corp. plant in Bethpage, Farmingdale Village has hired a Manhattan-based law firm to help it collect potential damages from groundwater contamination.
The plume is projected to hit Farmingdale’s Well 1, where a water tower stands, in 2020, but the village seeks to be proactive, Mayor Ralph Ekstrand said.
Village officials this week voted 5-0 to retain Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik Llp to handle legal issues surrounding the plume of contaminants — the result of solvents and other chemicals used in U.S. Navy and Grumman production of aviation equipment.
“Our engineering company said, ‘Let’s see if there’s responsible parties who can pay for the cleanup,’” Ekstrand said.
The law firm will be retained on a “contingency” basis, and the village would pay the firm only if it collects damages, the mayor said. Farmingdale would pay 25 percent of any damages collected, he said.
'I'm going to try to avoid it' A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.
'I'm going to try to avoid it' A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.
