Town Reconsiders Location for Community Ball Field Following PFAS Contamination Allegations

The town of New Milford, Connecticut, is exploring alternative sites for a proposed central community ball field following a class-action lawsuit filed by residents against Kimberly-Clark Corp. The lawsuit alleges that the paper goods manufacturer’s practices caused PFAS contamination in private drinking wells, prompting the town to consider other locations for the recreational project.

5 Key Points

  • New Milford residents filed a federal lawsuit against Kimberly-Clark, claiming PFAS contamination in their private drinking wells.
  • The town is now considering alternative sites for the proposed community ball field, including properties near schools and existing ball fields.
  • Kimberly-Clark denies the allegations, stating that it does not use PFAS in its U.S. consumer products and believes the lawsuit is unfounded.
  • The proposed community ball field aims to centralize the town’s sports facilities and create a recreational amenity that could boost economic vitality.
  • The town will conduct a feasibility analysis on potential sites and present the findings to the Town Council and the public in June.

PFAS Lawsuits and Their Impact on Community Projects

The lawsuit, filed in February, claims that Kimberly-Clark’s manufacturing practices caused stack emissions containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to spread into residents’ properties and private drinking wells. The plaintiffs allege that consuming PFAS-contaminated water has substantially increased their risk of developing cancers and other conditions, as well as causing a loss of enjoyment of their real property.

Kimberly-Clark, however, denies the allegations, stating that it does not use PFAS in any of its U.S. consumer products and believes the lawsuit is unfounded. Lisa Morden, the company’s vice president of environment, health, safety, and sustainability, emphasized Kimberly-Clark’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen in New Milford and adhering to all regulatory and legal requirements.

As a result of the ongoing litigation, New Milford is now considering alternative sites for the proposed community ball field, which was initially planned to be built on property owned by Kimberly-Clark near its mill on Pickett District Road. Mayor Pete Bass declined to comment on whether the lawsuit directly caused the town to shift its focus but acknowledged that they are reviewing different options and must have a “Plan B.”

The Vision for a Central Community Ball Field

The idea of creating a central community ball field in New Milford has been in discussion since the early 2000s. The town envisions state-of-the-art multipurpose fields, a playground, a walking track, and a BMX track in one central location on town-owned property. The goal is to centralize the town’s sports facilities, creating a recreational amenity that could tie into the town’s plans to revitalize the riverfront area and potentially boost economic vitality.

Other Connecticut towns, such as Danbury, Brookfield, Monroe, and Newtown, have reported success with similar central ball field projects in their communities. New Milford aims to follow in their footsteps, but the ongoing PFAS lawsuit has complicated the site selection process.

Next Steps and Feasibility Analysis

To move forward with the proposed community ball field, New Milford will conduct a feasibility analysis on potential sites, including properties near Sarah Noble Intermediate School, Schaghticoke Middle School, and existing ball fields on Pickett District Road. The findings will be presented to the Town Council and the public in June.

Once the potential properties are finalized, the town will reinstitute the ball field committee to oversee the project’s progress. The total cost of the project will depend on the renderings, which will be created after a location is chosen.

As the PFAS lawsuit against Kimberly-Clark continues, New Milford remains committed to finding a suitable site for the proposed community ball field that will benefit its residents and contribute to the town’s overall growth and development.