Peabody initiating new Weights and Measures increase

PEABODY-For the first time since 1982, Weights and Measures fees in Peabody will see an increase.City Weights and Measures Inspector Jeanne Burbridge said that increase is long overdue.?It?s important that the city of Peabody?s fee schedule reflect current costs associated with completion of these inspections for the next five years as technologies change and more certifications are required to complete tasks,” she wrote in a letter addressed to Mayor Michael Bonfanti.Burbridge, who is only one of five female inspectors in the state, said that increases in fuel and manpower, as well as an evaluation of state averages, really necessitate a citywide increase.Drug store scales, which have a current fee of $15 would jump to $30, just slightly above the state average of $27.74; fuel tank pumps would go from $15 to $35; and oil trucks would go from $30 to $65. Several other devices would see increases, as well, totaling revenue of $44,365.Cities and towns have Weights and Measures inspectors to ensure customer safety. Their job entails testing the accuracy of all retailers using measuring tools or scanners, such as pharmaceutical scales, gas station pumps, grocery store barcode scanners, or even yard sticks. With over 5 million square feet of retail space in Peabody, Burbridge said it?s quite the daunting task.?But, it?s good for the merchant and for the customer,” she said, noting that her responsibilities fall under the Consumer Protection Act of 1997.Burbridge said the main priority is to keep tabs on local merchants for the safety of their customers. She said gas pump accuracy is a big item of concern these days. Customers are often charged for gas they aren?t receiving.Granted the safety of customers isn?t particularly at risk in that situation, but it would be, say, if a pharmacist measured a prescription incorrectly because the scale he or she used was off.To make sure this isn?t the case, Burbridge and her staff visit each site, outfitted with their state certified measuring kits, and measure for themselves. With gas, for example, she pumps five gallons from each pump and makes sure she gets every drop. At supermarkets, they scan over 200 items to ensure the right price shows up at the register.Inaccuracies could result in substantial fines if the merchant doesn?t correct the problem. However, Burbridge said 9 out of 10 times, the error is in favor of the consumer.Legal Affairs Committee members voted unanimously in favor of the changes Thursday night. When the issue was brought before City Council, they chose to post the increases, then vote to adopt the changes at its next meeting.