READING — Community members and officials from Rohm and Haas Co. tonight will iron out specifics of a recent agreement to improve air quality and reduce noise near the plant.

        The agreement follows 10 years of complaints about the 2000 West St. plant's air, water and noise pollution.

        Formerly owned by Morton International Manufacturing, the plant was purchased by Rohm and Haas in 1999.

        The campaign to correct the alleged pollution was led by Ohio Citizen Action and the Environmental Community Organization, which asked company officials to stop releasing toxic chemical waste, and to abate truck noise and foul odors. More than 10,000 letters were sent to the plant urging action.

        That campaign ended in late April with the company agreeing to:

        • Reduce as near to zero as possible the plant's releases of methyl chloride.

        • Work to eliminate the foul odors — reminiscent of rotten eggs and dead fish — that plague plant neighbors.

        • Prohibit after-hours truck parking and idling outside the plant gate.

        • Work with neighbors on an emergency response notification plan.

        Rohm and Haas' plant produces specialty chemicals for the poly-vinyl chloride plastics industry. The chemicals are used in consumer products such as vinyl siding, fencing for homes, plumbing and electrical switch boxes. The plant employs 175.

        “We are glad to finally reach an agreement with this company,” said Marilyn Wall of ECO. “Neighbors were often awakened late at night as trucks idled right near them.”

        Tonight, members of her group and others from the community will meet with company officials to map out the timetable for the changes and specifics on the agreement.

        Rohm and Haas spokesman Syd Havely said the company has committed to working with the neighbors to fully resolve the issues.

        Eugene Koetter, who lives about 100 yards from the plant, said he is excited to see the agreement.

        “This is the first time we have seen a real commitment after complaining about this company almost 10 years,” he said. “We have been through all the preliminaries, now we get down to brass tacks. We will see what they are really going to do.”

        TheU.S. Environmental Protection Agency in September ordered Rohm and Haas to conduct a ground-water study to determine whether any contaminants have leached into the soil or the aquifer outside the plant, including Mill Creek.

        The 6:30 p.m. meeting today will be in Haffey Fieldhouse, 1599 West St. The public is invited.

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