Endicott negotiations

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

IBM, residents seek spill deal
Pact buys time for talks on settling pollution claims

BY TOM WILBER
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin (NY)
July 20, 2004

ENDICOTT -- IBM Corp. and a group of village residents have reached an
agreement that will allow time to negotiate a settlement over claims
related to chemical pollution.

A group of law firms representing current or former residents and property
owners said they have agreed not to file suit against the company, at least
until Nov. 3, while the parties "exchange information about the environmental
situation in the village," according to a statement released Monday night.

The law firms, including Levene Gouldin & Thompson of Vestal, represent
about 600 residents who claim that pollution from the company degraded
their property and in some cases made them seriously ill.

Neither side would comment further.

The agreement, called a "tolling agreement," is a sure sign the two sides
are attempting to settle the case -- a process that could take years, said
David Driesen, a lawyer and associate professor at Syracuse University's
College of Law.

for the entire article, see
http://www.pressconnects.com/tuesday/news/stories/ne072004s104626.shtml