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NEWARK
– The Office of Weights and Measures
within the State Division of Consumer Affairs
today conducted unannounced inspections
of home heating oil delivery trucks near
two fueling depots, with some trucks placed
out of service because of serious violations
found during the inspections.
The
inspections took place along Doremus Avenue
in Newark and at Duck Island in Hamilton
Township, Mercer County.
Of
the 12 trucks inspected in Newark, two were
found to be dispensing less fuel than represented.
One truck had an incorrect reading on its
register display. These three trucks were
condemned, meaning red tags were placed
on the pumps and no deliveries can be made
until the violations are corrected and the
trucks re-inspected and recertified as fit
for use. No violations were found among
the 16 trucks inspected at Duck Island.
“Every
drop of home heating oil matters, especially
when prices are well over $3 a gallon and
winter is far from over,” said Thomas
R. Calcagni, Acting Director of the Division
of Consumer Affairs. “Homeowners are
paying the highest prices since 2008 for
home heating oil and any shortchanging of
consumers will not be tolerated.”
The
Office of Weights and Measures annually
inspects and certifies all commercial weighing
and measuring devices, including the dispensing
pumps on oil delivery trucks. The seals
on the dispensing meters were inspected
today, as broken seals may indicate tampering
has occurred. The receipt tickets for the
last home delivery also was reviewed and
checked against the information on each
truck’s meter.
Consumers
must receive a delivery ticket when home
heating oil is received. The delivery ticket
must include the date of the delivery, the
number of gallons delivered, the per-gallon
price, and the total price.
Consumers
can report suspected problems related to
home heating oil deliveries to the State
Office of Weights and Measures by filling
out a complaint form located at www.nj.gov/oag/ca/complaint/ocp.pdf
or by calling the Office at 732-815-4840.
Contact information for county and municipal
Weights and Measures offices can be found
online at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/weights/county.htm
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