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DEEP issues consent order to Mattabassett District; Cromwell officials press for follow‑up meeting
Summary
The council was informed a state consent order requires the Mattabassett District to fix emissions problems and pay a $65,000 fine after missing annual testing; councilors raised concerns about mercury and sewage impacts on the Connecticut River and will meet the district on July 20.
Cromwell — Town officials told the council on July 8 that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a consent order to the Mattabassett District after the district failed to complete required annual emissions testing.
The mayor reported the consent order, dated May 26, 2026, and said the district “got fined $65,000” and was ordered to make necessary equipment replacements and repairs after failing to measure key emissions, including NOx and CO, and concerns about scrubber maintenance and carbon filters.
Councilors expressed alarm about possible environmental impacts. One member warned that failures in scrubbers and carbon filters can increase mercury risk and described worries about fish, birds and public uses of the Connecticut River. Councilors said they have repeatedly sought clearer updates from the district, noting promised five‑year plans and progress reports have not arrived on schedule.
The mayor said he has scheduled a meeting with Mattabassett for July 20 and invited council members to attend (with a small group permitted to discuss work efforts). Town staff said DEEP controls enforcement and the town has limited standing to act beyond raising concerns and seeking federal or state assistance.
The council discussed reaching out to state offices for additional support; the town manager said he had contacted federal senators’ offices and would continue efforts to find assistance but also cautioned that past outreach had not always yielded results.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting but asked members to pass specific questions to the mayor and town manager ahead of the July 20 meeting.
