IBM Corporation and some village of Endicott residents may soon settle a long-running lawsuit alleging chemicals from the company's sprawling North Street manufacturing complex could have resulted in deaths and illnesses.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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The lawsuit also contended businesses were adversely affected and property values dropped because of toxic spills at the site where IBM assembled computers and produced other high-tech products for decades.

IBM, now based in Westchester County, was founded more than a century ago in Endicott.

The company and attorneys representing some people who lived near where the huge factory had been located issued a statement indicating they had reached an agreement in principle to settle the claims filed in 2008.

According to the statement, the proposed deal stemmed from discussions started last July.

The agreement was developed to try to resolve the cases "without further burdensome and expensive litigation."

IBM indicated it remains committed to an "ongoing environmental cleanup in Endicott." The company said that effort won't be affected by the proposed settlement.

Attorneys representing the Endicott residents involved in the lawsuit are planning to present details of the proposed settlement in "coming weeks."

An IBM spokesman said no one from the company would be made available to discuss the possible deal. In an email, he said "the information available at this time is contained in the joint statement."

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