Are You Getting Your Money' Worth? NorCo Weights and Measures

When you fill your tank with ten gallons of gas, how do you know you're really getting ten gallons? Is the gas station ripping you off? Or how about when you order lunch meat at the deli? Are you getting a pound of balogna or baloney? When you plug a meter for an hour's worth of parking, how can you be sure that you get it?

In Northampton County, the answer to that question consists of three words. Weights and Measures. Northampton County's tiny but busy Department of Weights and Measures protects you from predatory merchants or even municipalities that overcharge for parking. It also protects businesses that could be giving you more than you pay for. 

Northampton is one of only 12 counties left with its own Weights and Measures Department. Everywhere else, those functions are now performed by the state Department of Agriculture.

State delays or outright failures to inspect not only expose citizens to fraud, not just from unethical merchants, but from cities like York that was writing parking tickets with uncertified parking meters..

While Lehigh County relies on the state, NorCo includes parking meters in its "to do" list every year. Bethlehem takes three weeks.

Statewide inspectors collected just 109 random fuel samples from retailers throughout the state in 2022, and 6 of those failed. They responded to 77 consumer fuel complaints, and 25 samples failed. 

Given the number of retailers and scales throughout the state, that's inadequate. 

Last year, NorCo inspected 2,192 small scales and rejected 66. It inspected 3,585 fuel dispensers and rejected 296. It checked 94 oil delivery trucks and rejected 5. It also conducted price verifications at 25 businesses. 

Several years ago, three members of NorCo Council (John Cusick, Seth Vaughn and Hayden Phillips) actually wanted to abolish the department. 

Then Council President John Cusick not only opposed proposed fee increases, but the Department itself.

"I can't justify having businesses in this County pay these fees and these proposed increases when the form that you handed us says that, for the [state] Department of Agriculture, there would be no charge.... I believe this is a function that should be taken over by the state."

"I do not think we need this service, this cost, this additional government in Northampton County," added former Council member Hayden Phillips, arguing instead for "less governmental oversight." 

"It has been a very successful department," Exec Lamont McClure told County Council at their April 4 meeting. "When you get gas in NorCo, you know you're getting the exact amount of gas that you're paying for because we have a weights and measures department. He stressed that the department protects consumers and businesses who may be undercharging. 

I Finally Hit My Goal, Dropped 125 lbs

Northampton County has a Department of Weights and Measures. This story is about my weights and measures. I finally did it. I started in July 2018, and as of October 25, 2019, have reached my goal weight of 170 lbs. In the pic on the left, I weighed in at 295. I dropped 125 lbs over the course of 15 months. I posted about this once before, when I was at the halfway mark. I want to thank all the people who encouraged me along the way. You have been very supportive.

What got me started was a tiny Jackapoo (half Jack Russell and half toy poodle) named Suki. She's the Captain Danger of designer dogs. When she is at my grandson's house, she mostly acts like a toy poodle and even refuses to go out in the rain. When I have her, the Jack Russell comes out, and she is the Terror of Terriers. I have to walk her incessantly. I have had to give her several skunk baths over the years. In July of last year, I spent a few days dog sitting and she got me motivated again.

She was quite disgusted with me, which she would make clear as I struggled to keep up with her.

Gradually, I cut out the junk food and replaced it with more healthy choices. I also limited my caloric intake. I try to consume my calories for the day within an eight-hour window. With rare exceptions, I stop eating by 8 pm. Using an app called "MyFitnesPal," I have been able to keep track of exactly what I eat, and with a fairly accurate count.

I start the day with a capful Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, mixed with 16 ounces of water. I continue drinking water all day, trying to consume 80 ounces.

Initially, I was just walking, but at my weight, it was becoming very painful in my hips. So I used a machine called the Arc Trainer, which burns a shitload of calories in far less time and is very gentle on the joints. As time has gone by, I can walk again, and at a brisk pace. I'm uncertain whether I'll be able to return to running. I try to burn 500 calories a day. I try to get it in every day unless I am sore or sick.

I began lifting weights in September 2018, and that has been the biggest surprise. I spend one day doing upper body, one day doing legs and one day doing nothing. If I am sore, I will rest extra days. I am still unable to do a single unassisted pull-up or chin-up, but can bang out 43 push-ups.

This exercise has made me much stronger than when I was running 26.2 mile marathons in my younger years. Over last winter, I did a header on black ice, landing on the back of my head and ass. I was uninjured, but think I would have had broken bones had I not been exercising.

Have I relapsed? Yes, and as recently as Saturday. But these binge fests have become less common, and after Saturday, I was so sick I doubt I will ever binge again.

As things stand, I am still at the high end of what is considered normal, but will take it.

My worry is that I will return to my evil ways, as I have always done. I'm like a yo-yo when it comes to weight, and marvel at those of you who can maintain the same weight for decades. To me, maintaining is much harder than losing.

To those of you who still like to taunt me about my weight, keep it up. It motivates me.

Unfortunately, I'm still ugly.

Once again, thanks to the many people who said such nice things as I struggled.

NorCo Shuts Down Wind Gap Citgo

Northampton County’s Department of Weights & Measures has shut down the Citgo Gas Station at 1040 South Broadway, Wind Gap, PA for suspected problems with the fuel. Motorists reported their cars stalling or stopping in the area and many of them appeared to be related to gas purchases from the Citgo Station. Anyone who filled their tank there on May 30th or 31st should contact the station at 908-482-9000.

Weights & Measures inspected the station two weeks ago but returned in response to a complaint of a car stalling directly after the purchase of fuel. Suspecting potential water contamination or a quality issue, the station has been shut down for three to four days to allow the State Department of Weights & Measures to test samples. It is expected that the holding tank may need to be pumped out, replaced and retested.

Two years ago, Northampton County Council nearly shut down the Division of Weights and Measures.Northampton County is one of just 13 counties left that still checks whether ypu'rereally getting a gallon of gas or a pound of balogna.

“I do not think we need this service, this cost, this additional government in Northampton County,” said former Council member Hayden Phillips, arguing instead for “less governmental oversight.”

Statewide, there are just 37 inspectors.