ATTLEBORO - The manager at the former Mantrose-Haeuser shellac plant off Olive Street said Wednesday that he wants the city to know his firm is working hard to be a good neighbor after years of problems with pollution.

Brian Terando, manager of the firm now known as Zinasser Group, said the plant has spent $2.2 million in recent years to correct problems.

"We know we can't change the past, but the folks here are working hard to make things right now and going forward," he said.

Fined $2 million

His comments came the day after the state Attorney General's Office announced the firm had agreed to pay a $2 million civil fine and pay for $300,000 for local environmental projects to settle claims it had violated pollution laws in the past. The state said Zinasser is now in compliance. Terando said the plant has taken a number of steps to reduce pollution and make life better for neighbors.

The production of alcohol-based varnishes was halted at the plant Sept. 30 and moved to a facility in Wisconsin that is better equipped to handle it, he said.

The varnish production was a relatively small portion of the Attleboro plant's business, but a significant source of pollution, he said.

The firm also spent $1 million to have new, more efficient driers and dust collectors installed at the site. Installation was completed in August, he said.

Terando said other improvements included the installation of mufflers on exhaust fans and a reduction of idling by trucks.

The company is also installing power equipment so refrigerator trucks run their cooling units without having the truck engine running.

"We want to be good neighbors," he said.