Sealer of Weights & Measures

If you have a complaint on any weighing, measuring, or retail store scanning device please feel free to contact the Sealer of Weights and Measures at the contact information below.

If the complaint is about a gas station, please leave the name of the station, date, time, pump number, and grade of gasoline along with your name, phone number or email address.  A brief statement of the complaint will facilitate an inspection of the issue. You will be contacted by the Sealer of Weights and Measures if more information is required as well as a follow-up.

Purpose of Weights and Measures

The Weights and Measures Department exists to ensure equity in the marketplace.  The department is responsible for enforcing all accuracy requirements and standards relating to weight and measurement devices in the Town of Hopkinton. These devices are used in the trade for sale of:

  • Food
  • Gasoline and diesel fuel
  • Home heating oil
  • Numerous other products used by consumers
  • Other devices, such as scales and scanning systems used in trade.
We help ensure that consumers are receiving goods for which they are paying.  The department annually tests and certifies all weighing and measuring devices used in trade in the Town of Hopkinton. To accomplish this the department conducts random inspections to assure that they are being used as designed, accurate, and that security wires and seals are intact.

2016 Annual Notice

In compliance with the provisions of Chapter 98, Section 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, I hereby give notice to all inhabitants or persons having usual places of business in the Town of Hopkinton Massachusetts, using weighing or measuring devices for the purposes of buying or selling goods, wares, or merchandise for public weighing for hire or reward, to have devices tested, adjusted, and sealed by this department.

(signed copy of notice on file with Town Clerk)

Measuring Mulch Quantity

As you prepare your beds for mulch there are a few things you should know when having mulch delivered in quantity.One thing is to figure out the amount that is delivered.Mulch is sold by volume and usually by the cubic yard. To determine how may yards we are getting, you can use the delivery truck bed dimensions to figure out the cubic feet. To do this, measure the length, width, and height of the truck bed; then multiply them together.Divide by 27 to get the total cubic yards.

Please keep in mind that the mulch may settle in the truck bed and is usually mounded before the load is dumped.  Make sure the truck is level before you measure the delivery to get an accurate measurement.  Once dumped it is usually in a large mound making it very hard to measure.  Wet weather will compact the delivered product.

The delivery person is required to leave an invoice stating the name and address of the delivery company along with the quantity and type of product along with the name and address to where it was delivered.  The price must also be included. It is best to pay by check or credit/debit card in order to have a record of the payment should there be a dispute.  Contact the Sealer of Weights and Measures if there is a problem with the delivery.

Facts About Firewood

  1. There are certain things people should know when making a purchase of firewood
  2. By law in Massachusetts, firewood is sold by the cubic foot. A cord contains 128 cubic feet.  Many vendors advertise firewood by the cord, face cord, or truck load, or some other term.This is incorrect.
  3. Vendors must leave a bill or invoice containing the name of the seller, address, quantity in cubic feet and type of firewood sold, date of purchase/delivery, and the price along with the address to where it was delivered.
  4. Often the wood is just dumped at the customers's location making it hard to determine the quantity actually delivered.  The wood should be closely stacked with all pieces facing in the same direction. A 128 cubic foot of wood tightly stacked should measure 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long. Any combination of these measurements is fine as long as it measures 128 cubic feet.The firewood should be stacked as soon as possible after delivery and measured to assure the correct quantity was delivered.
It is best to pay by check or credit/debit card in order to have a record of payment if there is a dispute. Contact the Sealer of Weights and Measures if there is a problem with the delivery.