Pittsboro approves legal contracts to pursue 1,4‑dioxane and PFAS claims

The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners authorized the town manager on Monday to execute two legal services agreements to investigate and potentially pursue recovery for the town’s response costs related to 1,4‑dioxane and PFAS contamination.

Town Manager Chris Kennedy told the board the town has incurred more than $3.5 million in treatment, pilot and engineering costs to address contaminants and estimated capital costs to install full treatment could be “in excess of $23 to $25 million.” He said the agreements would begin with investigations to identify potentially responsible parties and would likely take years to resolve.

Kennedy said the contracts are structured so the town would be responsible for about 23–25 percent of costs under the proposed contingency arrangement, rather than paying full costs up front. The board discussed that much of the work to date and going forward will be handled in closed session for legal strategy.

After brief discussion the board moved to approve the agreements and authorize the manager to sign. Commissioner Bonnett moved the consolidated motion; Commissioner Rose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Kennedy cautioned the public that investigations and any resulting litigation or settlement processes could be lengthy and that attorney‑client and strategy conversations would continue in closed session. He said the town’s goal in pursuing the work is to recover costs the town has incurred and will incur to provide safe drinking water to customers.

The town did not announce specific law firms or litigation targets during the public discussion; staff said the initial step is investigation rather than immediate filing of lawsuits.

The board’s action allows staff to finalize and execute the agreements and to begin the investigation and potential litigation preparation under the town manager’s authority.

Looking ahead, Kennedy said the town will provide what updates it can while protecting legal strategy and privileged communications.