Consumer Alert: Unregistered Chimney Sweeps Operating in Putnam County
Newly appointed Putnam County Director of Consumer Affairs Jean Noel, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell and Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith are alerting the residents of Putnam County to unregistered chimney sweeps operating in Putnam County.
Recently, the county’s consumer affairs department has received reports that Empire Chimney Corporation, purported to be a Long Island based chimney repair service, is soliciting work from county residents. Records indicate that this company is not authorized to conduct work in Putnam County since it is not registered to do so.
Further research shows that Empire Chimney Corporation uses other corporate names – among them being: All Care Chimney Corporation and World Class Chimney Corporation.
Extra vigilance should be given to those working on residential chimneys. The average person cannot discern whether chimney repairs are truly needed, or whether the work is completed properly. Improper work can result in dangerous, even deadly, carbon monoxide leaks and fires.
Director Noel, County Executive Odell and Sheriff Smith are urging residents to contact the local consumer affairs office to ensure the prospective contractor is properly registered to do the work. The Putnam County Department of Consumer Affairs may be reached on their web site; www.putnamcountyny.gov\consumeraffairs or by calling
Director Noel at 845-808-1617 ext. 46128.
According to Sheriff Smith, investigators from his office and consumer affairs officials are investigating Empire Chimney Corporation’s operation in Putnam County. The Sheriff noted that it is a class “A” misdemeanor to conduct a home improvement business in this county without being registered to do so. A conviction of this statute may result in a $1,000 fine for each occurrence and a jail term of up to one year in the Putnam County Correctional Facility as determined by a court.
The above is a press release from Putnam County Consumer Affairs Director Jean Noel, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell and Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
