Frustrated homeowners in Bristol are trying a new tactic in their campaign to stop low-frequency noises from the Reworld trash incinerator: They’re inviting city officials to visit their homes and hear the sound for themselves.
After years of complaining that Bristol’s city administration was moving too slowly to intervene, residents from the southern end of Bristol decided after Thanksgiving to begin calling to enlist help from newly elected Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu and the city council.
In the past few weeks, that effort has started paying off.
“I’ve gone out to a few people’s houses and I’ve heard the noise in different neighborhoods behind ESPN, off Lake Avenue and on Redstone Hill Road,” Zoppo-Sassu told The Courant Wednesday.
“I also went to a house close to the Plainville line. And some new council members have gone out, too, to get a handle on this and meet with people,” she said.
The mayor, who took office Nov. 9, stood on several lawns to hear the low-frequency noise that many homeowners describe as a relentless and insidious hum. The level seems to vary with atmospheric conditions as well as the volume of garbage that Reworld’s burners are handling day to day, residents said.
Councilor Mark Dickau, who lives within sight of the plant, said he and his wife don’t hear the sound at their home.
“I’m on the downward side of a hill and we don’t hear it. But people two or three blocks away from me hear it; I’ve gone over there and heard it myself,” Dickau said. “It’s worst when it’s overcast.”
Meanwhile, some homeowners as far as Plainville and Southington say they, too, are disturbed by the sound and have spent the last year and a half pushing their local governments to act. But because the plant is in Bristol, neighboring towns have no authority.
The Bristol-Burlington Health District last year began fining the company over excessive noise, and had compiled a bill of about $35,000. But instead of going to court to collect, it has undertaken negotiations for what it calls a permanent, wide-ranging solution. Attorney Keith Ainsworth said the district expects to resolve the matter this year.
Reworld said it has spent substantial money in search of solutions.
“At Reworld, we deeply value our relationship with the Bristol community. We have proudly served Bristol for more than 35 years, providing sustainable waste solutions and employing over 40 local residents,” a spokesman said.
“During 2025, Reworld worked cooperatively with the Bristol-Burlington Health Department on next steps to ensure continued compliance, and will continue those efforts in 2026. We care deeply about the well-being of this community and will continue to invest in efforts that support the quality of life,” he said.
Over the two years, the company has hired multiple consultants, standardized the induced-draft fan motors of both boilers to one motor manufacturer, installed Quiet Fan Technology inserts in both boiler systems and later manufactured modifications to improve their performance.
Still, residents have consistently said the noise returns.
“We know of one person who moved from Bristol to Farmington because of this, and other people have said they’re thinking about moving. We don’t want anyone moving because of quality-of-life issues. We’re really trying to help them out,” Dickau said.
“I appreciate there’s a frustration among the public. I’ve been here for seven weeks and have been dealing with issues the entire time,” Zoppo-Sassu said. “I’m meeting with Reworld in my office next week. We’ll continue to press forward to a point where there’s some resolution for people who are enduring this level of noise. But government does not move quickly.”
The new city attorney is reviewing whether Bristol can have a stronger noise ordinance with standards that go beyond state guidelines. He’s also meeting with Ainsworth to discuss strategy.