FARMINGTON - The lack of full service gasoline pumps in Farmington is an obstacle for one disabled man. Convenience stores with gas pumps say that doesn't have to be.

Since the last two full-service stations in town closed, Tim Koenig said he not only worries about how to pay for gas but worries about how to get gas in the car.

Monday's storm posed a challenge for the 44-year-old, who had a leg amputated in 2002 and must use crutches to walk. He tried to pump his own gas.

"I was holding the gas with one arm and trying to pump with the other. It was slippery and my crutches almost gave in. My blood pressure was pumped up, and I was almost panic-stricken wondering whether I was going to fall," he said Tuesday as he described the ice- and snow-covered pump area.

Lately, Koenig has been using about 1½ gallons of gas a week to drive to Jay where three stations located less than two miles of each other offer full service. A station in Wilton will pump gas but charges 10 cents more a gallon, he said.

Koenig took his plight to Town Manager Richard Davis, who sent letters to seven convenience stores with gas pumps. He reminded them that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires store employees to assist gas customers with disabilities if two or more employees are working.

Often, Koenig said, there is only one clerk working in convenience stores and can't leave the store.

Store owners contacted Tuesday said their employees are willing to help the elderly or disabled or anyone who is having trouble pumping gas, and most said there is always more than one employee working.

Even when there is only one, said C.N. Brown representative Mark Cyr, if the customer pulls up to the pump closest to the store and toots their horn, the attendant will come out between waiting on customers.

The Irving station at the truck stop on Route 2 ended full service in the late 1990s, said manager Kimberly Dustin. Now customers call ahead or call from their cars while others come in and ask for assistance.

"We are committed to helping all our customers. All our fueling stations are equipped with an intercom call button at the pumps, and when the button is pressed, our staff is alerted and a member of our staff will be happy to pump the gas for the customer," said Lou Beam, director of operations for Irving Oil.

"The customer can also beep their horn, or come into our stores to ask for assistance."

Independent store owners also expressed a willingness to help. "They just need to let us know," said Jim Kidder, owner of Maxwell's Market in West Farmington. Jack's Trading Post in Fairbanks will also, said owner Cheryl Wells.

Koenig said he doesn't understand why one of the stations doesn't hire someone to man the pumps. He thinks they could make additional profits from store sales.

"That's a misconception that people make," said Cyr of C.N. Brown. "Local stations are typically not making money. It's been a rough two years for gas dealers in the state."

Manning a 24-hour site would cost close to $80,000 a year, Cyr estimated.