Schuyler County Government

Schuyler & Chemung County
Department Of Weights & Measures

Schuyler County
910 S. Decatur Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Cell: 607-483-5413
Fax: 607-535-2768 cboyce@co.schuyler.ny.us

Chemung County
425 Pennsylvania Avenue
Elmira, NY 14902-0588
Cell: 607-483-5413
Fax: 607-737-5304
cboyce@co.chemung.ny.us

Clifford Boyce, Director

Schuyler & Chemung County Weights and Measures Departments
The Schuyler and Chemung County Weights and Measures Departments are mandated by the State of New York and are responsible for assuring measurement and pricing accuracy in the marketplace. In Accordance with Article 16 and related New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, the department promotes equity and fairness in all consumer transactions involving weight, measure, count or pricing. Effective January 1, 2010 Schuyler and Chemung County entered into an inter-municipal (shared service) agreement for both Weights and Measures departments.
The Weights and Measures program is important to ensure confidence and fairness in the marketplace. The old Latin saying ‘caveat emptor’ ~or~ ‘let the buyer beware’ needs the effort of the Weights and Measures Department to protect both the buyer and the business owner. The buyer is assured that they get what they pay for and the business owner is assured of a marketplace based on fair competition.
The mission of the New York State Bureau of Weights and Measures and the Schuyler & Chemung County Weights and Measures Departments is to promote equity in all commercial transactions based on weight or measure.
For information about specific W&M subjects please select the tabs located at the left of this homepage for;

Tests and Equipment; equipment & specific testing conducted by county W&M
NYS W&M; direct link to the NYS W&M website (NYS Ag & Markets)
Consumer Information; firewood sales and other topics
Frequent Q&A; frequently asked W&M questions
Labeling & Scale Requirements; brief overview on scales/labeling
Farmers Market Regulations: how certain farm products may be sold
Approved Device List; NYS W&M type-approved devices (subject to change)
Licensing of weigh masters; duties and responsibilities
Weighmasters Application; on-line application and information

Weights & Measures annually inspects and tests all commercially used weighing and measuring devices for both accuracy and proper operation. NYS certified weights and measuring devices are used during these testing procedures.
Some examples of inspected and tested commercial devices include:

Computing, and pre-pack scales at supermarkets, bakeries, delis, and fish/butcher shops
Petroleum pumps at gas stations, convenience stores, truck stops, and marinas
Heavy-duty vehicle scales at sand/gravel yards, recycling centers, salt plants, lumber mills, and salvage yards
Fuel oil, gas, diesel, kerosene and propane delivery vehicle tank meters
Platform / Hopper scales at wineries, coal yards, salt plants, propane sales, and farm/produce locations
Scales used for buying gold, silver, precious metals, coins, and jewelry
Farm bulk milk tanks
Taxi meters
Devices used to measure the length of hardware goods; rope, chain, and wire
Timing devices; car washes / vacuums, clothes dryers, and tire inflation air pumps
‘Courtesy’ inspections; non-commercial devices for institutions such as schools (nurse and athletic departments), hospitals, adult care facilities or physician offices

Schuyler & Chemung County Weights & Measures also participate in the New York State Petroleum Quality Program. This involves collecting gasoline and diesel fuel samples yearly, on a random basis, throughout Schuyler and Chemung County. These samples are then sent to an independent contract laboratory for chemical testing and analysis. These tests assure that the fuel purchased by the consumer meets all appropriate quality/octane standards and that fuel dispensers are properly labeled.
Inspection Seals
The next time you are at the grocery store or gas station, take a minute to notice the date stamped blue or yellow Weights & Measures Inspection Seal on the computing scale or fuel pump. This seal indicates that the device has been inspected, tested, and is accurate. Most importantly, it guarantees that you are getting what you pay for.
Certified Standards (equipment, weights, measurement devices) of W&M
All official test weights and measuring devices used by Weights and Measures must be recertified by the New York State Weights and Measures Laboratory in Albany
Questions / Complaints
Weights & Measures will respond to consumer questions or complaints regarding short weight or measure, or motor vehicle fuel quality; by investigation and/or testing as the situation demands. If you have questions or comments, please contact this office

• Look for the official seal on weighing and measuring devices. It indicates that the device has been tested and approved
• Make sure the scale reads zero before the commodity is placed on the scale and watch the indicator when the weight is being determined.
• Make use of the customer scale; it is there for your convenience. Compare the labeled weight and value with the scale indicator.
• Commodities sold by weight must be sold by net weight. Net weight is the actual weight of the commodity, exclusive of the weight of the wrapper or container.
• If you have reason to believe you did not get correct weight or measure, contact the Weights and Measures Department immediately.

• All weighing and measuring devices (gas pumps, scales, fuel oil meters, measuring containers, etc.) must be examined for type approval before they can be used in New York State.
• All weighing and measuring devices used commercially in New York State must be tested at least once annually
• All weighing and measuring devices that fail to conform to official standards shall be repaired or condemned.
• All commodities must be sold by net weight, standard measure or numerical count.
• All commodity containers must bear a plain and conspicuous statement of the net quantity of the contents.
• Scales used in over-the-counter purchases must be in plain view of the customer.
• All food or food products which are packaged or wrapped by the retailer in advance of being exposed or offered for sale by the retailer shall be accurately marked with (a) the net weight, standard measure or numerical count; (b) the selling price per pound or unit of standard measure and (c) the total selling price.
• Whenever food or food products are packaged or wrapped by the retailer in advance of being exposed or offered for sale, an accurate computing scale must be easily accessible to customers. A prominent and conspicuous sign reading “for customer use” shall be displayed on or near such scale.
• Firewood purchased from a dealer must conform to the advertised volume
• Accuracy in Pricing, Labeling; Items sold at retail must be accurately priced and scan at checkout for labeled or advertised prices. Goods found in clothing, hardware, food, drug, sporting goods or other retailers are included in these regulations. Additionally, sellers must post store policy in case of an incorrect scanned price.

The above sections of the Law are for your protection. You can help make them more effective by reporting any violations to the Weights and Measures Department.