By Renee Worthing
Staff Writer
The first day of winter is still six months away, but with heating oil prices surging beyond $4 a gallon, town officials and local agencies are already preparing for even higher prices next winter.
Kennebunk Finance Director Joel Downs said during fiscal year 2007/2008 the town budgeted $3.75 a gallon, but locked into a price of $2.42 a gallon. Heating oil prices have already well surpassed $3.75 a gallon, the amount the town budgeted for this year.
Downs said the town has not gone out to bid on heating oil for the town’s buildings for the upcoming winter. He said he was unsure if it was reasonable to go out to bid now or wait until fall when prices are more finalized for the winter.
“If we go out to bid now, we may have to reject them, hoping for better rates in the fall,” he said.
He said it was difficult to predict the heating oil market.
Arundel Social Services Administrator Wendy Lank said while the town does not have funds set aside for heating oil assistance, it does collaborate with other agencies, including churches and local businesses to provide heating assistance for residents.
She said assistance from Church Community Food Pantry and Keeping Neighbors Warm may be available to qualifying residents who do not meet the criteria for general assistance.
She said Arundel budgeted $15,000 for general assistance, a state mandated program for every town, but the town has paid out $27,000 so far.
  “I think it will be worse this coming year,” she said. “I think we’ll be helping not only low income people, but middle income.”
She said the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program would also be available to help qualifying low income families purchase 100 gallons of heating oil.
Lank said Arundel budgeted $12,800 for heating town hall, town garage and fire station for fiscal year 2007/2008.
“We have $181 left for the town hall [oil tank],” Lank said. “We have two weeks left before the new fiscal year. I think we might make it.”
In Kennebunkport, Public Health Nurse Judy Barrett said the town has an emergency fuel program, in addition to access to other programs and agencies.
She said Kennebunkport residents can tap into funds from the church community, Community Harvest, Keeping Neighbors Warm, Salvation Army and general assistance.
“It’s food and fuel that are the big issues,” Barrett said. “It’s going to be a tough winter for everyone.”
She said 19 Kennebunkport families received funds from the town’s emergency fuel assistance program last year. Other requests for assistance were met through various community programs.
“I have never refused anyone for food, fuel or medication,” Barrett said.
She said it was important for people to begin budgeting for winter now, including entering a budget plan with Central Maine Power and fuel companies.
“People need to do their part to help themselves,” Barrett said. “They should get their furnace cleaned.”
Kennebunkport residents in need of fuel assistance should contact Barrett at 967-4401 to schedule at appointment.
Arundel residents in need of fuel assistance can call Lank at 985-4201.
Kennebunk residents in need of assistance can call Wanda Cannell at 985-3786 ext. 1342.