YORK - Local residents could well be facing a crisis situation this winter with the rising cost of heating oil.
That was Town Manager Rob Yandow's message to the Board of Selectmen at its June 23 meeting as he told the board the town is working to "be proactive in a way to approach this" and create a group to look at possible resources available to help residents in need.
"We're going to try to put together a program so that those folks who have the inability to pay for their fuel costs next year have some access to emergency funds," Yandow said, adding the York County Emergency Management Agency has already acknowledged it may be opening shelters this winter for those who cannot afford to hear their homes.
Yandow said local plans include working with an existing nonprofit or starting a new group to oversee the assistance program.
The town, too, has its share of fuel concerns, Yandow said, as its usual practice to bid on fuel with a regional organization did not work this year. The town received its bids too late, at no fault of the town, and was facing a per-gallon price much higher than what was budgeted for the year ahead.
However, Yandow told the board, he contacted Board of Selectmen Chairman Mike Estes after learning Estes Oil had provided Ogunquit's fuel bid at $3.69 per gallon, and recommended the selectmen approve a contract with Estes Oil for one year only at that same price - saving the town about $12,600.
Vice Chairman David Marshall said the definition of a conflict would be if Estes voted on the motion. As he was not present at the meeting and did not seek the contract, and given the extenuating circumstances of the bid, Marshall was joined by Selectmen Ted Little and Kinley Gregg in approving the plan.
"It's in the best interest of the town," Marshall said.
Also on the town side, Yandow added, despite efforts to conserve, departments that require time spent on the road to complete their work are overspending in fuel accounts due to the climbing cost at the gas pumps, and there may be a need to use $15,000 to $20,000 in contingency funds to offset those expenses at the close of the fiscal year.
