Date: Fri 15-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

emission-town-cars

Full Text:

A Town Admission On Its Emissions Omissions

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Think you have trouble remembering all the little details in your life? You're

not alone.

The Town of Newtown forgot to get the emissions tested on about a dozen of its

vehicles. Now it will have to pay a total of about $240 in late fees. State

law requires that motorists get their vehicles tested for emissions once every

two years. The test reads the level of carbon monoxide and hydro-carbons put

out by the car.

Public Works Director Fred Hurley said he learned of the oversight by accident

about two weeks ago when he noticed one of the overdue windshield stickers

himself. He said it was simply an error made within his department. One

suspension was handed down to a public works employee for the mistake.

Mr Hurley said all the cars are now being brought over to the Danbury testing

station.

According to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles, motorists must pay a

$20 fine for bringing in a vehicle that has gone over the due date.

Mr Hurley said the town used to have its own emissions testing machine, but

over the last couple of years, the state created a more complex procedure,

forcing Newtown to take their vehicles to the testing stations.

Around town late last week, several town-owned vehicles were spotted with

emissions stickers indicating the cars were overdue for the test. Some were

merely months past the due date, while others were a couple of years overdue.

All of the police vehicles were up to date, however.

Mr Hurley said the town has a fleet of about 100 vehicles. Only about half of

them are required to undergo the emissions test.

Among those vehicles overdue was one available to employees at Edmond Town

Hall. Some of those employees who used the car said they noticed that the date

on the sticker had long since passed. However, there was apparently no avenue

for them to make note of it. Now, Mr Hurley has set up a procedure for

employees who use the cars to verify that the various registration and

emission stickers are current.