Menino puts the heat on oil dealers by Marie Szaniszlo Sunday, October 1, 2000

With no end in sight to the rising price of oil, city officials have already begun taking precautions to ensure that no one this winter is left out in the cold.

At a press conference in West Roxbury yesterday, Mayor Thomas Menino announced the first of a series of steps his administration is taking to lessen the impact on consumers.

``Most of the oil dealers and landlords in this city are honest people,'' Menino said. ``But...we need to look out for those who might try to take advantage of consumers.''

The Inspectional Services Department has already begun sealing oil-truck meters to make sure they accurately read the volume of oil they pump.

The mayor has also expanded ISD patrols this year to include nights and weekends, when many fuel deliveries are made.

Inspectors will be spot-checking trucks making deliveries to ensure that consumers receive the amount of fuel they pay for and receive a receipt that includes the volume of fuel delivered and the price per gallon. Failure to include any of that information is punishable by a fine of $50 for the first offense and up to $500 thereafter.

By the end of this month, a letter will be sent to landlords who didn't supply enough heat to properties last year.

Inspectors will also be on call around the clock for calls to the city's no-heat hot line to track down landlords and bring them to unheated buildings. If owners refuse to cooperate, the city will bring in contractors to supply the heat, and then bill the landlords.

The mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs will also work with Attorney General's Office and district attorney to help victimized homeowners protect their rights under the state's consumer-protection law, which can award victims triple damages if violators fail to settle a grievance.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/heat10012000.htm

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 01, 2000