ATTLEBORO - Efforts by a shellac factory to stem the flow of odors, noise and dust into a surrounding neighborhood were declared a success by city officials, ending a proceeding that could have resulted in financial and other penalties against the firm.

Attleboro Health Officer Dr. Christopher Quinn said the company, Mantrose Haeuser Inc., fulfilled all the requirements of a consent order issued by the health department in October in response to ongoing complaints by neighborhood residents.

A hearing on the matter was closed.

Health Agent James Mooney said the Olive Street firm did a good job.

"I'm very satisfied with what they've done and their efforts to work with (the residents) and us," he said at a city hall meeting Thursday. The move to end penalty proceedings was expected after Quinn and Mooney visited the plant last month and came away impressed with work done to abate problems that have plagued neighbors on and off for years.

Mantrose had until Jan. 15 under terms of the 9-point order to complete an expensive plan it designed to abate odor, noise and dust problems.

The company spent $1.2 million on the work, plant manager Eric Richman said. The total was about $200,000 more than expected.

But residents said the effort and expense paid off.

"It's much better," said Sixth Street resident Richard Hardmon.

Wolfenden Street resident Gary Carlson was also impressed.

"I think they've done a hell of a job," he said. "It's better."

Hardmon was one of many who complained about a persistent "rotten egg" odor, especially in the summer. The smell was so bad he couldn't open his windows or have cookouts, he said.

That was the most expensive problem to fix.

To solve it, Mantrose installed an indoor wastewater treatment plant which cost about $750,000. Previous wastewater treatment was outdoors, which allowed odors to flow into the neighborhood.

Industrial scrubbers now clean the air before it's discharged from the building.

Quinn said a 90-day air quality study showed there are no long term health threats associated with the plant.

The odors previously experienced by residents could cause temporary respiratory or gastro-intestinal irritations, but would not cause any serious disease, he said.

Carlson's main problem with the plant was the noise and fumes created by idling trucks.

To stem that, Mantrose instituted a "zero-tolerance" policy on idling. It now monitors trucks with cameras equipped with microphones.

Carlson said the problem is much reduced.

"As far as the trucks go, it's kind of stopped," he said. "They are monitoring them and they do come out when a truck is idling."

New dust control devices were installed, as well.

Richman pledged continued efforts to stem any further problems.

"We remain deeply committed to being a good neighbor," he said.

GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.