Litchfield City Council Meeting | Oct. 2, 2025

Article Summary: The City Council voted to join a nationwide class action lawsuit against manufacturers of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” often found in firefighting foam. The litigation seeks to recover costs for potential future water treatment and remediation.

PFAS Litigation Key Points:

• The Issue: PFAS chemicals, used in non-stick cookware and firefighting foam, have been linked to health issues and water contamination nationwide.

• No Cost: The city is joining the lawsuit on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to taxpayers.

• Objective: The goal is to secure settlement funds to pay for any necessary testing, treatment, or remediation of the city’s water supply.

• Legal Counsel: The city will be represented by Stag Liuzza, L.L.C. and Drafahl Law Firm.

Litchfield is joining hundreds of municipalities across the country in legal action against the makers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing a legal services agreement for AFF product liability litigation.

City Attorney Michael McGinley explained that major settlements have already been established by companies like DuPont and 3M. By joining the litigation, Litchfield ensures it is eligible to claim a portion of these funds should PFAS be detected in its water supply.

“There were massive amounts of money set aside through settlements that are now funds,” McGinley said. “What is occurring is… communities are signing up with these law firms in order to… file claims on their behalf and to recover money from these funds.”

McGinley emphasized that the agreement is risk-free for the city.

“There’s no cost to the city of Litchfield. This is [a] contingency fee situation,” he said.

Mayor Fleming noted that PFAS contamination is a “hot button topic” statewide and joining the suit is a proactive measure to protect the city’s financial and environmental interests.