In April, the City introduced a program called the Home Energy Assistance Trust or HEAT. A paper barrel can be purchased for the price of $1. For that small donation you can write your name or the name of a loved one on the barrel.
All barrels are exhibited at City Hall. One hundred percent of the funds given is placed into this fuel fund to help Presque Isle citizens who are in need of fuel this winter that do not meet the strict State General Assistance requirements to receive assistance. It is available for a one-time delivery for each family in need.
I received an e-mail and photo from a citizen at the beginning of October who said he was in City Hall and couldn’t help but notice the amazing HEAT display on the first floor. He felt it was a great project that truly shows that Presque Isle people care about one another. He purchased a barrel and gave it to a little girl who was sitting in the waiting area. He let her put her name on the barrel and it was displayed on the wall.
People have been very generous in their giving and some have given donations up to $20 for a barrel. We want to thank everyone who is continuing to help fund this program. Currently we have $928 in this fund and it is slowly growing.
Please keep in mind, though, that the Maine Attorney General issued “Home Heating Oil Rules” providing customers with protection if they are running low on money. Quoting the rules, heating fuel dealers must make small deliveries of at least 20 gallons if the customer can pay cash on delivery or if the customer has a government guaranteed payment for fuel (such as LIHEAP credit or general assistance voucher). Even if the customer owes the fuel dealer money, the fuel dealer must still deliver fuel if the customer can pay cash on delivery or if the customer has a government guaranteed payment (such as LIHEAP credit or general assistance voucher). This does not mean that the dealer must drop everything and make an energy delivery if you call. It does mean that, at the latest, a dealer must deliver oil to you on the next scheduled delivery trip to your area.
If you are an established customer (means you purchased fuel twice previously from the dealer) and the dealer regularly provides emergency deliveries or unscheduled deliveries to other established customers, the dealer must do the same for you provided you can pay cash on delivery and you order at least 20 gallons. If the dealer makes an emergency or unscheduled delivery, the dealer has the right to charge you extra, over and above the cost of the fuel.
If you have any questions about the HEAT program I can be reached at City Hall during regular business hours. We’re all trying to keep warm this winter and we appreciate the help for those who need it to keep warm.
LaNiece Winslow is resources manager for the city of Presque Isle. She can be reached at 764-2522 or e-mail at lwinslow@presqueisleme.us.
Star-Herald photo/Mark Putnam
FUEL FUND DONOR — Alison Sweetser, daughter of Aaron and Alisha Sweetser of Presque Isle, recently made a $1 contribution to Presque Isle’s Home Energy Assistance Trust (HEAT) and filled out her own “Barrel” certificate with help from Linda Brewer, a tax collection clerk at City Hall.
