OFFICE OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Department of Finance and Administration
Gene Lee, Weights and Measures Director 93 East High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5210
Office Overview:
Gene Lee, previously the Chief Clerk for the County Commissioners, was hire as Weights and Measures Director effective January 1, 2011. Gene had been temporarily appointed at the June 17, 2010 Commissioners Meeting, to do weights and measures for the county until December 31, 2010 upon his retirement. The position became vacant in May 2010 with the death of Mr. Remo Bertugli, who had held the position since 1990.
The Office of Weights and Measures is responsible for inspecting and monitoring all transactions in which a commodity or service is bought or sold and a weighing and measuring device is used. The purpose for the Office of Weights and Measures is to assure the rights of the consumer are protected from deliberate fraud and unintentional errors. The office also protects business owners by detecting errors which are affecting them and their businesses in a negative way.
The Inspector’s duties include the inspection of various types of weighing and measuring devices, including small-capacity scales, platform and hopper scales up to 1,000-pound capacity, motor-fuel dispensers, timing devices, point-of-sale systems, linear-measuring devices, price verification and packaged goods, to assure they are correct and accurate. The Inspector tests, weights and measures devices such as gas and fuel pumps, supermarket scales, feed and fertilizer scales, as well as stock scales at livestock auctions.
Laws and Procedures: The Office of Weights and Measures follows the guidelines set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Pennsylvania State Legislature. Handbook 44 and Handbook 130 are developed and distributed by the NIST. The State Legislature has passed Act 155 and Act 70 enforcing regulations for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the responsibility of the Inspector (Sealer) of Weights and Measures to see that these regulations are followed.
The guidelines provided in Title 70 of the Pennsylvania Code for Weights, Measures and Standards are a major resource for the inspectors.
When illegal or inaccurate devices are found, the Inspector ensures that the equipment is repaired or replaced by condemning the device and placing a red tag on it. The device cannot be used again until the device is repaired and a registered serviceman removes the red tag.
Title 70 of the Pennsylvania Code: states that "wood used for fuel shall be sold by the cord of 128 cubic feet (4'x4'x8') or fraction thereof and shall be accompanied by a statement or invoice certifying the amount sold and presented to the buyer of his designee at the time of delivery or billing."
Section 2.11 of the Weights and Measures Act of 1965: states that "Cord: When used in connection with wood intended for fuel purposes, the amount of wood that is contained in a space of 128 cubic feet (4'x4'x8') when the wood is racked and well stowed.
Firewood may not be advertised or sold by the truck load, the puile, the piece or any other method other than by the cord or fraction thereof. There is no such thing as a face cord. An invoice must be given at the time of sale."
Comsumer Alerts:
Gasoline prices have been changing frequently, up one week and down the next. Every time a change is made, that change needs to be entered at three places by the vendor:
At the fuel pump
On the sign that advertises the price being charged
On the credit-card machine where your purchase is rung up
Consumers should always remember to compare the price recorded on their credit card receipt to the price on the fuel pump and the advertising sign. Consumers will pay the price per gallon that is recorded on the credit receipt—even if it is higher than the price shown on the fuel pump or advertising sign.
As a result of the rapid fluctuation in gasoline prices recently, some area businesses have not always changed the price per gallon on their credit-card machine inside the store. Consumers who find that they have been over-charged should ask the store to issue a new receipt with the correct price.
If the problem cannot be corrected, contact the Inspector of Weights and Measures.
Greene County consumers should always glance over their local store receipts also. Retail prices in the local grocery stores typically are not put on the individual items. Instead, a price label is put on the shelf in front of the item. Many consumers assume that the price on the shelf matches the price that is in the computerized register system. Consumers can be over-charged if the store has the sale price label on the shelf but neglected to enter the sale price in the computerized register.
Also, many grocery stores have Discount Club Cards for repeat shoppers. Card holders have the opportunity to purchase sale items at lower prices than non-card holders. Many stores offer items as "buy one, get one free." But again, consumers should be aware that these items may not be in the computer correctly. As a result, consumers would be charged full price for both items.
Anyone who has been over-charged should contact the Inspector of Weights and Measures.
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Gene Lee, previously the Chief Clerk for the County Commissioners, was hire as Weights and Measures Director effective January 1, 2011. Gene had been temporarily appointed at the June 17, 2010 Commissioners Meeting, to do weights and measures for the county until December 31, 2010 upon his retirement. The position became vacant in May 2010 with the death of Mr. Remo Bertugli, who had held the position since 1990.