FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: August 7, 2026
Location: Amherst, NH
Contact: Town of Amherst – Board of Selectmen | Town Hall, 2 Main St, Amherst, NH 03031

Town of Amherst Board of Selectmen to Vote Monday, August 10 on Proposed $1.7 Million Settlement Agreement Resolving Historical PFAS Litigation

AMHERST, NH — The Town of Amherst Board of Selectmen will vote at its upcoming meeting on Monday, August 10, 2026, to consider and approve the terms and conditions of a proposed Settlement Agreement. The agreement resolves litigation brought by fifteen local residents regarding alleged PFAS contamination of private well water associated with the Town’s historic use of aqueous film-forming firefighting foam (AFFF).

If approved, the Board action will also authorize the Chair, or the Chair’s designee, to execute the Settlement Agreement on behalf of the Town, subject to Court approval. The pending claims brought against the Town included allegations of personal injury and diminished property value.

Following the initial discovery of PFAS contamination affecting private wells in the area, the Town took prompt proactive measures to connect the affected properties to the Pennichuck water system, successfully restoring a safe and reliable drinking water supply to the residents.

The proposed settlement provides for a total payment of $1.7 million. Under the agreed terms, $500,000 will be due within 30 days of final Court approval, with the remaining $1.2 million balance payable within 30 days following the March 2027 Town Meeting.

To mitigate the immediate financial impact on local taxpayers, the Board intends to recommend financing the settlement through a multi-year bond. Should the bond option fail to pass, the funding would be appropriated through the Town’s standard budget process in full accordance with applicable state law.

Approval of the Settlement Agreement will mark the full resolution of the pending litigation and bring closure to the matter for the Town of Amherst.