11/24 – Monmouth County Checking Fuel Oil Trucks for Volume, Price Accuracy

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FREEHOLD – Homeowners may feel they spend too much on fuel oil to heat their homes as the temperatures drop – but annual inspections to measure the accuracy of fuel oil delivery trucks in Monmouth County have turned up very few violations.
The county Division of Weights and Measures checks fuel oil delivery trucks for accuracy of volume and price.
“Homeowners can be assured they are getting what they pay for. Inspectors check the meter on the each truck to ensure it is calibrated properly and actual volume being pumped is correct. The work they do touches the lives of consumers every day,” Freeholder Serena DiMaso said.
This year’s inspection comes as the average price for home heating oil throughout New Jersey is $3.48 per gallon as noted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Like any other weighing or measuring device in Monmouth County that is used in trade, fuel oil delivery trucks must be inspected and tested by the  Division of Weights and Measures every year.
The first round of inspections were conducted in October. Re-inspections continue throughout the winter months.
“Most oil truck meters are accurate,” said Ben Peluso, weights and measures superintendent. “The majority of the oil companies and individuals who operate these trucks are honest. However, from time to time, violations do occur. In that case, a truck is condemned and cannot deliver fuel until the problem is resolved and the truck re-inspected.”
During recent weeks, 48 trucks were inspected; five failed the test.
In addition to checking weighing and measuring devices such as scales and fuel oil delivery trucks, the county assures the accuracy of every consumer product sold by weight, measure, count, volume or time. Every device used in trade and almost every product sold in the marketplace is regulated in one way or another by Weights and Measures.
Depending on the nature of any violation that is found, the Division of Weights and Measure may issue a summons and penalty may be assessed.
Results of this year’s fuel oil truck inspections won’t be available until all inspections and re-inspections are completed.
 
Consumers who may have a concern or question about a fuel oil company should call the Monmouth County Division of Weights and Measures at 732-431-7362.