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WESTON, Conn. As gas prices continue to climb well above the $4-per-gallon mark, Weston residents and workers are starting to worry.
Its not even spring yet, and the price is already too much. Im scared to see what is going to happen in the summer, said Sherman Scott, who was filling up his van at the Mobil gas station on Weston Road.
Scott, who lives in Hamden but works in the area as a house painter, said the cost of gas has forced him to change his driving habits. Now, I probably run about six to seven errands in one day, just so I dont have to drive around and make stops during the week, he said.
I think the prices are way out of reach, Scott said.
The Weston Road Mobil is the only station in town. It runs both as a self-serve and full-service station, with prices reflective of the services. For full service, the cost as of Tuesday afternoon was $4.41 a gallon for regular, $4.59 for special and $4.65 for diesel. For self service, the cost was $4.14 for regular, $4.39 for special and $4.45 for diesel.
Some people say comments under their breath, but there are no formal complaints, said Devon Fontaine, who works as a gas attendant at the Mobil. Many who gas up at the station don't even look at the price, he said. A lot of people just hand me their card and say fill it up."
Rachel Peterson of Weston is not one of those people. When she got to the pump, she said, This is horrible, just horrible.
The prices are really shockingly high, but what can we do? Its a necessity, Peterson said.
Maybe Westonites cant lower the gas prices, but they can make the gas last a bit longer. According to the New England AAA, having properly inflated tires can increase fuel economy by 3 percent. Check your tire pressure when your car has been idle for some time to make sure the reading is accurate.
The AAA also recommends going easy on the gas and brake pedals once youre on the road. "One of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to conserve fuel is to change your driving style," AAA says. "Instead of making quick starts and sudden stops, go easy on the gas and brake pedals.
Residents should always drive the speed limit, not just for safetys sake, but also because every five mph driven over 60 is similar to paying an additional 24 cents at the pump, the AAA says.
All of those tips sound good to Nick Masterson, who stopped by the station because he was running on fumes. But he seemed more annoyed that the Mobil is the only station in town.
Its tough, even if you're just driving around town, that this is the only place to get gas. Its over $4 a gallon. Its gotten to the point where I cringe every time I head to the pumps," Masterson said. "They gotta do something about this."
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