State court to hear suits on sewer disputes

The villages of Lindenhurst and Babylon, and the Town of Oyster Bay claim in each case that decades-long sewer problems constitute a "continuing public nuisance" and want the construction companies held liable.

Earlier this year, a midlevel court dismissed all the lawsuits, saying they were filed too late. But the state Court of Appeals now has revived the claims. It will combine all 11 cases in one proceeding, according to court spokesman Gary Spencer.

The case likely won't be heard until late 2013, Spencer said.